Not sure why, but if the say they won't work with a 3rd-row seat, I would assume there is a valid reason.

The pre-loaded struts are a trade-off - think about it - they are giving you the springs for the same basic price as the struts and the struts mounts, so the struts probably aren't the same quality as the struts that come separately. Not that they are always a bad choice.

 

TigerHeli - thanks for your response. In reading reviews on Amazon for many differant FCS pre-loaded assemblies, it appears some users love them and found them a great value, while others said they did not last, and a lot of negative reviews about the listing applications for vehicles not being accurate. I wrote to an ebay seller who seems to sell a bunch of them, and that seller confirmed that many toyota SUV owners asked him the same question I did regarding why they are not suitable for 3rd row seating. He told me he would ask FCS - but so far I have not heard back.

 

I'll put it this way, Toyota only differentiates between AWD and FWD within a trim. They tailor the dampening and spring constant to the weight of the drivetrain added on the AWD not a 3rd row. While you can put an AWD spring on a FWD strut (did that myself), The struts themselves are not interchangeable, physically they have slight differences.

More info:

 

Sweneyp - thanks much for the response and the spec charts. It makes no sense to me, nor anyone else that I have communicated with, why FCS has this "no 3rd row seating" restriction on their pre-loaded rears for a 2009 Highlander. Rock Auto made this comment (paraphrased) : "a manufacturer would not want to decrease sales by putting an unnecessary limitation on a fit application". But, no one including FCS has explained the reason for this restriction. I know that Monroe and others are starting to offer some pre-loaded struts for some vehicles, and if they ever offer them for a 2009 Highlander it will be interesting to see if they have a similar restriction regarding 3rd row seating.

I have done struts before on a 2002 highlander, and the spring compressor made me a bit nervous. However, the more reviews I read about the FCS pre-loaded struts for other vehicles, the more concerned I get due to many bad comments. Therefore, I am starting to lean towards getting myself a slightly better spring compressor than the one I have now (whcih was a Harbor Freight special) and going with standard Monroe struts alone and doing the remove strut from spring and replace bit.

 

My point by that chart (its showing detailed specs for parts specs in a suspension) was to show that Toyota only increases spring constants on AWD equipped models. They don't increase it depending on the 3rd row being present or not. However, if you run into this again, IMO, always get what would work with the heavier car (3rd row present). It will have better ability to handle loads without sagging the rear suspension. However given the 3rd row only weights about ~75lb (I never weighted it when I took it out of my car, but I was able to carry it up a ladder and hang it on hangers on the ceiling by myself, so it can't be that heavy.), any difference in spring constant should be tiny. That's an insignificant difference over the weight of the vehicle.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/single-action-strut-spring-compressor-43753.html - I haven't used it, but have read good reviews.

 

I think the quick strut / preloaded struts are basically junk, how do you know if the springs or the exact same diameter or load rating etc. I don’t think there is a free lunch here by decent struts Sachs/ kyb / bilsten and perhaps take the whole things into the a shop to change over the actual springs. You also need new strut mounts - these are almost as expensive as the struts $110 vs $168 for the struts at Toyota. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think if you change the struts you have to do the strut mounts otherwise you’re just wasting your time? You can use non-OEM strut mounts I think Sachs has some that are pretty good and they’re half price.

Think of it this way there’s very little things you can actually feel power, more power in your engine which is never going to happen but suspension is something you will most definitely feel every time you drive the car so why skimp out with some crappy struts. Then again as I say to fuck sometimes if you can’t feel the difference then get the cheapest ones you can, I believe you can find quick struts on eBay for like $30 each! Yes perhaps there is a middle way.

 

OK one more comment here - I wonder about Springs, my car has the towing package and the back seems to sag slightly down perhaps it’s just me I guess that would suck if I need to get new springs too!

And regarding comments that some people love the preloaded struts on Amazon, I sometimes wonder about comments and how legit they are? Look there’s some guy who just replaced his first generation struts with the preloaded ones and he says they are fine but also says they are not so great over the bumps but he’s OK with that. Personally that would drive me absolutely crazy but I guess one man’s meat is another man’s poison.

 

i had replaced my struts/springs on my 07 honda accord with a kyb all in one {strut-plus}.
i was happy with them. lasted at least 3.5 years {got rid of the car}.
i would definitely consider buying another set for my highlander, they have different
model numbers for AWD and fwd

 

I used the all in ones on my POS kia Sorento...worked fine.

Got rid of that hot garbage

 

I replaced all 4 of mine with the KYB complete strut. No issues whatsoever.

 

I did the KYB complete strut as well and they're perfect (I have towing package). Coincidentally, A8 guy here myself as daily driver (owned D2, D3 and now D4).

 

Sadly my D2 died and I'm stuck driving this jacked up Camry ..... Love to get a D4 but probably get a 2017 Q7 when funds allow. Miss that D2, it was a fantastic car especially in winter.

I'll probably buy the OEM struts and get the strut mounts / other hardware from KYB / rock auto. I'm not sure if my springs need replacing, guy who had the car before obviously towed as he had a trailer brake controller installed but the back seems to sit relatively flat. I'm looking to replace the struts to cure a shake (steering wheel and in the seats) that no one can debug. It happens over 75Mph so not as bad in the winter. Looked at tires, wheels bushings, no noises, etc and all seem to be OK. Normally struts shouldn't cause a shimmy at speed but if one strut bearing is a little worn, who knows. I even strapped my GoPro to the font and shot at 240 frames per second, I didn't see anything obvious but need to do the rear tires next. I had the same issue on my last Subaru and it had crappy new $50 eBay struts on each corner that the owner put on before he sold it. My number one complaint with the HH is the ride and even my spouse who doesn't give a rats ass about cars notice how bad it was in the corners but my struts are not really that worn and Toyota and two other shops who looked at the car did not say they needed to be replaced.

 

Will the KYB take some of the stiffness (jolt) out of the ride of a 2013 SE with 125K on OEM parts?

Going with OEM struts, springs and hardware is a very expensive proposition compared to aftermarket.

It is likely the stiffness is due to the springs aged which is why I am looking for a kit.