Strut replacement OEM?

[Joe M]

I have a toyota camry 2003 with 123k and I want to replace the struts. My big issue is I would love to go with a quick strut replacement but so many people hate them after they took the quick way out. Being I haven’t changed a strut in my life I am thinking of buying all the OEM parts and putting everything together then swapping the struts out. Crazy idea? I know it would cost a little more but the dealer will want 1500 or so to do this job. thanks for the help.

Topic

[zero]

There’s 2 main reasons to go with a Quick strut assembly rather than just a strut. Eventually you run the risk of the upper strut mount’s bearing assembly failing. While they tend to fail in patterns, ie on certain models, there is a chance of it simply falling apart when you disassemble the strut. The second reason is really a two-fold one. They are simply faster. Remove old strut assembly, install new assembly. The added bonus is that you don’t have to play with disassembling the strut using a beat up lender spring compressor. This is WAY safer for a DIYer.

If you take the time to calculate the total of a strut, mount and any of the various rubber pieces if they are missing you will find that a quick strut is more cost effective. The only thing I would suggest is to tighten up the top strut bolt once you have the car put together and back on the ground.

You should have no trouble changing both struts and going to a shop for an alignment within a single afternoon.

[Hokiedad4]

I don’t know about Toyota, but Honda sells OEM strut assemblies. They’re cheaper than buying all the required parts. I bought all four corners for $600.

Actually, my original struts were fine, but with 225k miles, they weren’t going to last forever.

[Author]

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