Front strut is leaking

[Howard]

Is it even possible for the springs to wear out?

 

[Jimzz]

Is it even possible for the springs to wear out?

Yea it happens but most will not notice. Even then it happens over a long time unless it has been abused.
I replaced my rear spring in my 73 Chevy and looks like it had been replaced before.

The rear springs in my truck were so beat on they were sagging. New ones raised the rear of my bed quite a bit.

 

[Jimzz]

I don't mean to necro this thread, but I did have a question about struts. By using the complete strut assemblies instead of replacing just the struts, the risk of injury discussed in this thread is thread is almost eliminated, right?

OEM strut assemblies are actually only $50 more than the struts alone, so if I was to replace them in the future I think I'd be going with the assemblies.

Yea the assemblies are safer as you just unbolt and bolt in the new ones.

Just make sure to get a good one as many of the kits use cheaper parts. Still better than the badly worn out ones on many cars but still.

KYB I think has a all in one and I like them.

 

[Meghan54]

I don't mean to necro this thread, but I did have a question about struts. By using the complete strut assemblies instead of replacing just the struts, the risk of injury discussed in this thread is thread is almost eliminated, right?

OEM strut assemblies are actually only $50 more than the struts alone, so if I was to replace them in the future I think I'd be going with the assemblies.

Very true, your first paragraph. Little risk of injury, except having the car fall on your foot, etc. No spring compression needed.

I've used those quick struts before a couple of times and they do work well.

The downside is you're getting generic springs, so if you have a vehicle that has a model with sporting intentions, like a GTi for instance, the springs you're removing are going to be a bit different than what you're putting in. On a Camry, Corolla, most any "normal" sedan, coupe, etc., probably won't make a bit of difference. Something like the aforementioned GTi, it very may well make a handling difference and may change the way the car sits and rides.

 

[996GT2]

Very true, your first paragraph. Little risk of injury, except having the car fall on your foot, etc. No spring compression needed.

I've used those quick struts before a couple of times and they do work well.

The downside is you're getting generic springs, so if you have a vehicle that has a model with sporting intentions, like a GTi for instance, the springs you're removing are going to be a bit different than what you're putting in. On a Camry, Corolla, most any "normal" sedan, coupe, etc., probably won't make a bit of difference. Something like the aforementioned GTi, it very may well make a handling difference and may change the way the car sits and rides.

Honda gives you the option of buying the strut alone or the completed assembly with the springs and mounting plates. The price difference was much smaller than expected. Everything is OEM Honda (not KYB or one of those "OEM equivalents") so I think the spring rates should be identical to the ones that came on the car. I was planning to change out the struts on my Accord sometime in the next 6-12 months and several independent mechanics said to go with the OEM Honda parts over Monroe, KYB, etc.

On an interesting side note, the Accord's struts are made by Showa. I thought they only made motorcycle suspensions. Didn't know they did car parts as well.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Okay the op take his car to a dealership to have the oil changed. And they find a leaking strut but he can't see what they are talking about. Do you think he would have the ability to do the job? If he did he wouldn't have been asking about the prices the dealer where going to charge. would you or would you go ahead and do the job yourself? By what he posted I don't see where he showed he has the ability to do this job. If he would have said that he normally does his own work to the car or something along them lines I wouldn't have said that. But the post after his where saying that it is a piece of cake and nothing to it. Someone had to be the voice of reason. Sorry if I offended you or something wasn't my goal to do that, I just wanted the op to know what was involved when you start playing with the strut springs.

I take my car to the dealership for oil changes and I have replaced front struts on my last car myself.

 

[996GT2]

I take my car to the dealership for oil changes and I have replaced front struts on my last car myself.

Did you have to soak the bolts in penetrating oil before they came out? I've read that some of the bolts (especially the pinch bolt for the strut) can be stuck pretty tight.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Did you have to soak the bolts in penetrating oil before they came out? I've read that some of the bolts (especially the pinch bolt for the strut) can be stuck pretty tight.

The lower bolts that mount to the spindle were the most difficult to break loose. I have a long handle breaker bar and it took everything I had just to break those two bolts loose.