2008 Avalon XL and Struts

[mjfigur]

I have a 2008 Avalon XL and have put on 85,000 miles on it in the years that I have had it. A mechanic gave it the once over and said that the rear struts are leaking and need to be replaced. He wanted to charge 200.00 for each strut for a total of 400.00 in parts and then his labor would take the bill to 600.00 .

It seemed a bit high to me and wanted to see what the view is here in the forums and also maybe I could buy the struts at a cheaper price and just have them installed. I agree with his assessment that they need to be replaced but just not the price. Are the KYB struts any good? The seem to be at least 100.00 cheaper.

Thank you in advance.

[CISA93]

Originally Posted by mjfigur

I have a 2008 Avalon XL and have put on 85,000 miles on it in the years that I have had it. A mechanic gave it the once over and said that the rear struts are leaking and need to be replaced. He wanted to charge 200.00 for each strut for a total of 400.00 in parts and then his labor would take the bill to 600.00 .

It seemed a bit high to me and wanted to see what the view is here in the forums and also maybe I could buy the struts at a cheaper price and just have them installed. I agree with his assessment that they need to be replaced but just not the price. Are the KYB struts any good? The seem to be at least 100.00 cheaper.

Thank you in advance.

Struts do leak from time to time, but I'd get a second opinion, after power washing the "oil" from the spot where it's formed. I've replaced many struts/shocks and worked as a service advisor at an import shop. I've seen the mechanics replace the OE with KYB, or Tokico ( usually OE manufacturers to the Japanese automakers and even some American brand cars i.e. Chrysler Town and Country)

You may want to check with Toyota and see their price. I've seen the American brand (Monroe/Gabriel) last about 50-60,000 miles. KYB has a line called GR2 (twin tube), and Bilstein, but I don't know if they make it for Avalon, but remember to have the strut mount and boot replaced. I've seen struts mounts broken after the new set of struts were installed because they wanted to save some money, but ended up having the strut removed and the mount replaced (more labor).

What I've seen in replacement order was KYB (usually because it was less than others) Tokico and Bilstein. Bilstein's are guaranteed to last 100,000 and many Toyota SR-5 Tundra's comes with Bilstein's off the assembly line. Also consider your front struts as they are equally important because that's where the drive train sits and about 60% of your braking is done on the front rotors.

You should be able to get KYB struts between 85-100.00 each (strut mounts and boot not included)