The few time I have used Monro for service their performance was sub-par. I've had only one smart guy that knew settings on the balancer to put the wheel weights on the inside for nice aluminum wheels!

ANyway.. The answer is KYB. Best strut bang for the buck. Others are either not so great of MUCH more expensive. You will need new tops on the front, and maybe bump stops/hoods. As long as your springs arent broken they are still OK.

Cupped tires usually arent from struts. There is probably more suspension/steering parts that need attention.

Find a REAL alignment shop who can give your care a proper inspection and show you whats worn out.

-SP

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

KYB or Tokico

Considering that you can purchase those quick struts for under $70.00 a piece it seems kind of excessive at $700 for two,

 

I Googled those Quick Struts and also found the prices well under $350 each. Not sure why this shop wants so much unless they are some sort of special setup for the Prizm / Corolla. Maybe they are trying to meet some sort of corporate sales goal.

I'm going to a local indy shop for a second opinion.

 

I got 4 KYB struts, mounts and bellows for less than $450.00 from www.rockauto.com and http://www.partsgeek.com/.
A loacal shop who specializes on Japaneses cars charges me $90.00 for each struts installation.
So, $450.00+$360.00 = $910.00 I'm getting all 4 done.

Is it in the ball park or pricey?

 

Depending what is wrong with your current assembly.
If it's just the coil typically you can just replace that, going the assembly route is just easier for shops and less labor. I'd buy KYB off ebay and bring them to a independent shop to have them installed.

 

I had to change out all my struts about 2 years ago. I had explored just buying the KYB strut and parts but found the QuickStruts on for $150 each at RockAuto. Paid $600 and did the install myself and during the removal found out that the rear links and bushings were worn so had to replace them as well costing another 150. All in all it cost my 750 to do all 4 Strut assemblies and redo the rear suspension. After 2 years of driving (approximately 50K KM) the struts are still good and new glad replaced the whole assembly. The only thing to note is that once you put in the QuickStruts your call will look a lot more elevated since the springs have still not broken in. It took me about 2 months before the car settled to the normal height. IMHO, if your going to keep the car for a few years go with the quick struts. If your just biding your time, then just buy the struts standalone.

 

Since its your wife's wagon, you aren't going to need fancy-ass shocks like Monroe GT's or Koni yellows. An entry level set of KYB's or Monroe shocks will do the car just fine, however before you shell out, do a simple bounce test on each corner. If the shock compresses and sits back up straight away, then they are fine. If it rolls about like a boat, then they are goosed.

 

KYB-GR2's are pretty much the gold standard when it comes to OEM replacement shocks for Corollas.

 

How much do those normally cost?

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I prefer tokico

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Iv fond a full set of oem replacements for like $300 but it dosnt say what brand but anything is better than what i have now all my shocks r completely gone and i figure my springs r worn to hell because of it so might as well replace the whole strut

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Are you planning on lowering it?

 

I would like to but im not payin $1000 for coilovers i would but that would put me over budget for this build

 

just go with springs...is H&R the only brand left for the 7th Gen? I think Eibach discontinued theirs, as they did for many other 90s era Toyotas that weren't sporty.

 

Tein S-Tech
Tein H-Tech
Sprint
Megan
H&R
Plus many more

8th gen springs are interchangeable with 7th gen

 

I'm currently running Tein S-Tech springs on Koni Str.t struts...awesome combo.

Stiff enough for spirited driving, yet comfortable enough for a daily driver. The springs will put you back $200, the struts will be around $400.

 

For maximum comfort you will still want to try and hunt down the Eibach Pro-Kit. As far as I know they were the ONLY progressive spring for the 7th-gen...unless there's companies out there still making them for the 8th gen.

I've run the Pro-Kits with both KYBs, Tokico Blues, and Koni Yellows. KYB is stock, Blue is a little stiffer and a pretty good compromise if you've got sensible sidewalls on the tires--in other words, 16" max!--and Yellows are a disaster that aren't for the hard-core and big-walleted due to the nature of the rear inserts.

Here's a tip--get your part numbers from the manufacturer and plug that into Google. I've come across a number of surprising deals with vendors I wouldn't've otherwise patronized.

For stock or mild lowering, my personal recommendation is the Blues. GR2s are a smidge softer than OEM, or at least my set were.