[19Glendale]

I'm new to the Forum.

Just inherited a 98 Avalon with 107k miles on it from my dad. Suspension is too bouncy - but not unsafe, probably shot from hauling 5 people and gear. Want to fix this and improve suspension/handling, but not lower the suspension at all. I'm pretty dead set on that.

Do the struts and/or springs need to be replaced?
What are my options?
Any brands?
Approximately what is the price range this should cost?

Thank you.

 

[jbfrench]

Yes, chances are you need a new suspension. Many manufacturers recommend replacing shocks/struts/springs every 50,000 miles.

You can go with a Vogtland Sport Suspension but that lowers your car close to 2 inches.
KYB makes their Excel-G line for Avalons
Monroe makes both their Monro-Matic and Sensa-Trac for Avalons
Gabriel has a preassembled set for Avalons.

If you don't want it lowered you might want to go with KYB. They tend to be a bit stiffer (from what I've heard). Sensa-Trac and Monro-Matic tend to be more of an OEM feel with Sensa-trac having a better overall performance. I believe Gabriels are also an OEM feel.

It will cost anywhere from 500ish to 800ish dollars if you do it yourself and 700 or more if you have them done for you.

Poke around, do some research. Most manufacturer websites will have car searches that let you put in your car and they will give you your options.

 

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

when doing the struts, keep in mind that the strut mounts may be bad. I would recommend at least looking at them, and since the struts have to come out, if they haven't been replaced, you may want to consider them.

 

[19Glendale]

jbfrench Thank you very much I really appreciate it.

Is there any likelihood the Springs require replacement, or just the struts?

Thanks again

 

[jbfrench]

As for the springs, have them inspected. Metal, as you know, isn't the most elastic of all materials. If it has a little less than 1000 pounds pushing down on it constantly and much much more every once and while, chances are it will shrink. Your coil springs could be a 1/4" shorter, 1/2" or more. Have them inspected, ask several shops if you should replace the springs.

Also, remember that these springs are roughly the same as the ones that come on 98 Camrys which weigh around 3000 pounds. Depending on your options an Avalon could weigh nearly 3500 pounds without you even being in it. Thats a lot of extra strain, specially over 107k.

But, if you don't need them, I can't particularly recommend getting them. If you aren't bottoming out or dipping when you take turns then you should be fine. Like I said, have them checked.

 

[fourwheeler]

I'd just get some quick struts from Monroe or Gabriel. You can get the best deals from rockauto or amazon. This replaces the strut, strut mount, spring, and upper and lower rubber spring seats. Just unbolt the old strut, and install the new one, no springs to compress. KYB might be a good strut, but you pay a lot more if you need to replace the strut mounts on top of the strut and you have to change out the spring which may be worn out.

I'm planning on doing this to my 98 in the near future and thought I would share my research.

 

[The Digital MagE]

monroe does not make quick struts for our cars.

gabriel does - they call them "safety struts"

i bought 4

around $700 and everything is new.

 

[artbuc]

At 107k, do yourself a big favor and replace the strut mounts and strut bearings (on front). If they haven't failed yet they will very soon. Use Toyota factory parts. KYB mounts are pure crap. Moog may be ok but they cost almost as much as factory. KYB struts are OEM and are very high quality. The bottom rubber insulators will be shot and are very expensive for what they are. I used an 18" length of vinyl tubing snaked onto the coil spring. Got the idea from LexMex over on the ClubLexus forum. Works like a dream.

 

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

If you do go OEM, remember that I offer TN members a 30% discount off MSRP. I only charge actual shipping costs plus a $1.00 - $2.00 for materials, etc.

Whatever route you do decide on, good luck. If you need anything, let me know, even if it isn't parts related, Im in here to assist the members in anyway I can.

Good Luck

 

[zaner123]

Toyota man, what can you order for us? Toyota brand struts only or? Thanks

 

[artbuc]

Toyota man, what can you order for us? Toyota brand struts only or? Thanks

Toyota brand struts = KYB.

 

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

At the moment, I sell only genuine Toyota OEM parts. I am a factory authorized Toyota Dealer. If you are looking for an alternative, I'd say KYB is a decent shock. I honestly don't know who manufactures them for Toyota, it could be KYB, but I really don't know.

Toyota man, what can you order for us? Toyota brand struts only or? Thanks

 

[fourwheeler]

Digital MagE, I don't mean to argue, but Amazon is offering Monroe quick struts for our cars. I compared the part number against the part number from Monroe's website and it's the same number. They just added a "1" in front of the part number to indicate it is a quick strut.

 

[GOT BOOST]

Front struts. KYB GR2= $84.00 a side = $168.00
Rear Struts KYB GR2= $64.00 a side = $128.00
Total cost of parts = $296.00

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...l=Avalon&autoYear=1997&autoModClar=&brand=all

The springs almost never need to be replaced. If anything you will want to look at replacing the spring isolators. They are the rubber that the springs sit on when the shock absorber is put in place. These cost me $20.00 each. You can get them from Toyota only.

Another option you want to consider is the Shock absorber boot cover. You can get these for about $15.00 or less per cover on ebay.

 

[GOT BOOST]

Toyota brand struts = KYB.

No, they are tokico.

Pull a shock or strut off any Toyota and you will see Tokico stamped on the side.

So far the OEM shocks on my 2 X Toyota Pick ups, 1 X 4runner, 2 X Supra, 2 X Avalon have all had oem Tokico shocks/struts.

 

[artbuc]

No, they are tokico.

Pull a shock or strut off any Toyota and you will see Tokico stamped on the side.

So far the OEM shocks on my 2 X Toyota Pick ups, 1 X 4runner, 2 X Supra, 2 X Avalon have all had oem Tokico shocks/struts.

What year? The original struts on my 99 Avalon and 99 Lexus RX300 were KYB's.

 

[artbuc]

If anything you will want to look at replacing the spring isolators. They are the rubber that the springs sit on when the shock absorber is put in place. These cost me $20.00 each. You can get them from Toyota only.

For a few bucks you can get heavy reinforced plastic tubing and snake it on the bottom of the coil - about 18" per coil. This will last much longer than the factory rubber isolators and be a whole lot cheaper.

 

[GOT BOOST]

What year? The original struts on my 99 Avalon and 99 Lexus RX300 were KYB's.

95 and 97.

The KYB's GR2's are ok. I found that they wore out after about 15,000 kms.

They are easy to replace, just watch the speed sensors. :thumbsup:

artbuc,

Interesting. Will this eliminate the rubber creaking and the occasional metal on metal contact that you will get from rubber isolaters? I replaced the isolators as they were easy to install and a perfect fit. There was zero chance of spring slippage on the perch.

 

[artbuc]

95 and 97.

The KYB's GR2's are ok. I found that they wore out after about 15,000 kms.

They are easy to replace, just watch the speed sensors. :thumbsup:

artbuc,

Interesting. Will this eliminate the rubber creaking and the occasional metal on metal contact that you will get from rubber isolaters? I replaced the isolators as they were easy to install and a perfect fit. There was zero chance of spring slippage on the perch.

So far so good after one year. Got the idea from Lexmex over on ClubLexus forum. The factory rubber insulators do not hold up for squat.

 

[GOT BOOST]

So far so good after one year. Got the idea from Lexmex over on ClubLexus forum. The factory rubber insulators do not hold up for squat.

That is pretty sweet! :thumbsup:

I should have gone that route. I agree, the isolators are weak sauce.

Thanks for the info on it.