I have a 99' Avalon XLS with about 180,000 miles. It has had no issues so far (at least as far as I know). I am debating if I should put some extra money into it and try to keep it for another 100,000 miles.. or if it would be best just to sell it/wait for it fall apart. So anyway..
The struts are all pretty horrid. The rears especially.. over bumpy roads they sound like they are knocking.. it is a very bouncy ride.. and the suspension is all around very loose. That being said it still handles very well and I have no concerns about the safety - only the ride quality.
Two different autoshops quoted me at about $750 to replace four struts with labor. I'm not sure if that includes struts and mounts and the other pieces that should be replaced... or just the struts. $750 is just too much to only better the ride quality, especially if $400 of that $750 is just for labor.
So my main question is this: For an inexperienced auto mechanic, will replacing struts be too dangerous of a job to consider? I've read that compressed springs can cause.. issues.
I am inexperienced with auto mechanics but have no trouble with mechanical things in general. I understand how cars work, and feel very comfortable working on anything mechanical. I don't imagine cars to be any different.
Also, I have an auto mechanic friend and others that could help me if need be. I'm not totally solo.
So if it is reasonably safe... I need to make clear how much it will cost for myself to do it. I found all four KYB GR-2 struts for less than $300 total. Besides just those struts, is it also necessary to replace the mounts? What struts will be best with those KYB struts?
I'm not looking for a step-by-step tutorial on how to replace struts, I'm sure I could find that somewhere, I'm just looking for your guy's opinions on if it is even worth doing. I've read many conflicting opinions.
Thanks for any help.
The struts are all pretty horrid. The rears especially.. over bumpy roads they sound like they are knocking.. it is a very bouncy ride.. and the suspension is all around very loose. That being said it still handles very well and I have no concerns about the safety - only the ride quality.
Two different autoshops quoted me at about $750 to replace four struts with labor. I'm not sure if that includes struts and mounts and the other pieces that should be replaced... or just the struts. $750 is just too much to only better the ride quality, especially if $400 of that $750 is just for labor.
So my main question is this: For an inexperienced auto mechanic, will replacing struts be too dangerous of a job to consider? I've read that compressed springs can cause.. issues.
I am inexperienced with auto mechanics but have no trouble with mechanical things in general. I understand how cars work, and feel very comfortable working on anything mechanical. I don't imagine cars to be any different.
Also, I have an auto mechanic friend and others that could help me if need be. I'm not totally solo.
So if it is reasonably safe... I need to make clear how much it will cost for myself to do it. I found all four KYB GR-2 struts for less than $300 total. Besides just those struts, is it also necessary to replace the mounts? What struts will be best with those KYB struts?
I'm not looking for a step-by-step tutorial on how to replace struts, I'm sure I could find that somewhere, I'm just looking for your guy's opinions on if it is even worth doing. I've read many conflicting opinions.
Thanks for any help.