Strut Advice

Hi, I have a 97 GPGT 3.8 with 111,000 with what I was told by a local shop that my struts are the originals and recommended news ones all the way around with strut mounts.
I'm really interested in the KYB's, can anybody steer me in the right direction on where to shop for these? I was handed a estimate for over 700.00 by this muffler/brake shop for four Monroe senza trac struts W/mounts and sta links.
The car still rides ok, not in a hurry to get these replaced but I want to get the ball rolling. Thanks for your help and any advice.

Hi, I have a 97 GPGT 3.8 with 111,000 with what I was told by a local shop that my struts are the originals and recommended news ones all the way around with strut mounts.
I'm really interested in the KYB's, can anybody steer me in the right direction on where to shop for these? I was handed a estimate for over 700.00 by this muffler/brake shop for four Monroe senza trac struts W/mounts and sta links.
The car still rides ok, not in a hurry to get these replaced but I want to get the ball rolling. Thanks for your help and any advice.

Try PFYC and 3800 Performance. $249 for all four struts. Also, I see KYBs on Ebay for a reasonable cost.

www.pfyc.com

http://www.3800performance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=KYB-STRUTS&Category_Code=SB&Product_Count=8

A total of $700 seems too much even with the upper strut mounts/load bearing/bushings. Also you will need a four point wheel alignment.

I did all of mine DIY and saved on the cost of labor. My strut mounts were OK but I replaced my struts back at 65K miles and they were fine. But with your mileage they should be inspected closely and replaced if necessary.

Caution with Monroes. The ride will be too soft and ruin your handling and guys are having problems with funny popping and clunking noises after installing Monroes.

How can you tell if you need new strut mounts too? My GP has 70,000 miles on it and I'm going to replace the struts soon.

Also, whats the cost on the mounts and wheres the best place to buy them? Thanks!

Bobby

The mounts wear with the struts, so if you are replacing the struts, replace the mounts. They run about $40 each for fronts, and $25 each for rear. If you don't replace the mounts, and they end up failing shortly after replacing the struts (which is common), you'll need another alignment, so you basically threw away $60 trying to cheap out and save $130 on parts you most likely need.

I replaced my struts on my GTP at 65K miles and I did not need any additional strut mounting stuff such as coil spring rubber bushings/cushions or any part of the upper strut mount and load bearing. However, I lubed the load bearing with special polyurethane bushing grease (silicone and waterproof).

Every strut job should be taken on a case by case basis. Perform a visual inspection when the struts are removed. If there is any damage noted and any doubt then replace the mounting hardware. Unless you have any noises coming from the front end or rear end around the strut area. Inspect the load bearing. It should spin. Otherwise it should be fine. There is nothing in writing or is it a mandatory practice to arbitrarily replace strut parts that are not needed.

I know alot of people that have well over 100K miles plus with the original strut mounts. I recently did a strut job my '99 Regal LS (113K miles) and was able to use all of the original strut mounting hardware less one lower strut coil spring cushion which had a rip in the rubber.

BTW - The alignment all came out good.

bnaylor-

what kind of lube did you use? was it silicone grease?

bnaylor-

what kind of lube did you use? was it silicone grease?

Yes, it is silicone based. Called Prothane Supergrease. A lot of racers use it. I use it for my polyurethane bushings on my sway bar. Seems to work good on the struts too. The stuff is waterproof, high temperature, high pressure, and highly adhesive. But I suppose any good quality name brand silicone or lithium based grease will work.