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From: johngdole on 6 Aug 2007 01:49
I agree that most struts loose a good amount of damping ability by 50K
miles just like belts do. The seals may leak, the fluid oxidizes and
thicken, the rubber hardens from heat, etc. People can driver longer
with them, but often would not realize the amount degradation until
new parts are installed. It's also a matter of economics for some
owners. So your mileage (literally) may vary.

Just about every company's struts have "lifetime warranty". According
to Monroe they'll replace "worn-out" struts. So maybe 50K miles means
a sturt is worn out? And I wonder what it takes to get lifetime
replacements from Toyota - must be like pulling teeth since they're
paying for labor too. Actually at $250+ per strut you already paid
labor many times over. Personally I just don't have high regards for
Toyota struts.

I personally prefer the Gabriel Ultra for typical driving because they
offer better comfort at low speeds and do not give out during tight
highway clover ramp turn like the Toyota struts. The Ultra's multi-
stage inertia sensitive valving is the direction of modern passenger
strut design, and it's the winner of the 2003 Popular Mechanics
Editor's Choice Award.

AutoZone offers lifetime warranty (excluding labor) on the struts and
frequently has coupon specials. I use new Monroe mounts with the
Ultras. Also order all new rubber boots (I re-used mine but should
have ordered them), rubber spring seats. You may be able to re-use the
strut bumper.

That said, Monroe's QuickStrut is an assembly that contains all new
components. It's economically attractive, except I personally don't
care for the SensaTrac they used in that assembly. The new Reflex
would be better.

You can borrow the tools from Autozone with deposit (compressor, 250lb/
ft torque wrench). The compressed spring clearly needs caution and but
IMO the work is not difficult if you are mechanically inclined.

Check out the Gabriel G-Force video:
http://www.gabriel.com/gforce1/eng/default.htm



On Aug 5, 8:48 pm, Planeman <dje2...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> I know the dealer and most tire shops are in the business of selling
> parts and service and so far everyone I have checked recommends
> replacement at 50K. I have no leakage or other signs of wear. What
> is interesting is that Munroe, the strut manufacturer recommends 50K
> replacement, but their replacement struts come with a lifetime
> warranty, go figure.
> Thanks for your advice.


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