2000 windstar strut advice needed

Hi

My 2000 windstar has 123,000 km on it right now. Most of that is A to B stuff (wife's van) not a ton of highway. It has the original struts, springs. The only front suspension work I've need to do is sway bar bushings which I've done twice. I'm learning that the struts likely would last a max of 80 - 90 thousand so I know I'm due to replace them. My question is, would it be worthwile replacing the whole strut, spring assembly with one of the "quick struts" on either side or is is likely that the springs are ok and I could save some money and just replace the struts? I understand that the quick struts are quicker and safer to install, both aspects I like. Costlier, I don't like but will pay if needed, suggested.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Piper

Hi

My 2000 windstar has 123,000 km on it right now. Most of that is A to B stuff (wife's van) not a ton of highway. It has the original struts, springs. The only front suspension work I've need to do is sway bar bushings which I've done twice. I'm learning that the struts likely would last a max of 80 - 90 thousand so I know I'm due to replace them. My question is, would it be worthwile replacing the whole strut, spring assembly with one of the "quick struts" on either side or is is likely that the springs are ok and I could save some money and just replace the struts? I understand that the quick struts are quicker and safer to install, both aspects I like. Costlier, I don't like but will pay if needed, suggested.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Piper


Hi
On my '96 I did the struts around 115K (now 150). The quick struts were not out yet so I did it the old fashion way. It was not too bad, but I can tell when crossing speed bumps etc. that my springs are "sprung". So, for the reasons you cite, ease of job etc. and for a better long term outcome I would whole-heartedly vote the quickstrut.

Got to love the quick strut.. Just the money you save by doing it your self. 1 set of quick struts vs the strut by it self + labor =one set of quick struts. Maybe a little less for the quick struts. Keep in mine for the front end alignment after the install.

I replaced the struts on my 2000 Windstar recently, and wrote up what I learned here, with a link to pictures:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=746337

After looking at the struts and springs, I decided my springs were in fine shape and reused them. No problems since.

I know some early Windstars had notable spring failures; I believe these weaknesses were worked out by the 2000 model.

The "quick strut" approach will work fine - but I didn't find it particularly difficult to swap out the springs to a new strut.

Thanks Phil. I read your very informative post a couple of times. I think it looks pretty straight forward and am wrestling with whether I need to do the springs or not. I don't have any real visible or ride issues with the front end of the van although I'm not the primary driver (my wife is). I just hate redoing work if I don't need to. I think I'll look into the price difference between simply buying struts and buying the quick struts. As my van has 124,000 km on it now I need to do this pretty soon I think.

Piper

I have never used "quick-struts" before, but I think I will use them hereafter. I've had a couple of scary situatiions with springs under compression.

And I like the thought of "everything" being replaced ... I usually miss some rubber bushing or something that I wish I had.

Piper -

Let us know how the project works out!

I had Monroe Quick Struts installed on my '96 this past spring, at about 183K miles.
I had 1 broken spring.....it had to wait until I was outside of the 10 year warranty.
Actually, my original struts were doing just fine....I did not really notice much difference....some...but not mutch.
The spring was broken way up at the top, so it did not show any symptoms.
If I was going to do / have done the strut or spring, I would go with the quick strut.
You not only get new spring and strut, you get new rubber isolator and new top bearing and mounting plate.
It would be a shame to do just the struts, only to have an issue with a top bearing shortly there-after....requiring you to pull the whole thing back out.

They just came out with the quick strut for the Windstar in the past year or so.

Whether you need new ones or not....I don't know.
I would think that they should be good for 100K miles, but different driving situations will change that up or down.
I have a lot of freeway driving, and....even though I am in a winter salt area...I hosed them down real good whenever I washed the car. (the spring failure issue that FORD gave the extended warranty for was due to corrosion)
Problem is.....something like this creeps up slowly.....so you don't really notice the change, and a muffler/shock shop will be happy to tell you that you need new ones......whether you do or not.

I have never used "quick-struts" before, but I think I will use them hereafter. I've had a couple of scary situatiions with springs under compression.

And I like the thought of "everything" being replaced ... I usually miss some rubber bushing or something that I wish I had.


SCARY yes I had a bad issue to happen A long time ago that left me gun shy about work like that. I learned from my mistakes. Still gun shy though..

I'm learning that the struts likely would last a max of 80 - 90 thousand so I know I'm due to replace them.

It's a toss up IMO. I got a freebie strut replacement on my 2001 @ ~70Kmi based on what appeared to be oil leakage out of the front right strut (honestly I think was just road grime:iceslolan ). My take was- they were always eager to throw parts on it since this warranty company paid out easily. The dealer installed aftermarket 'loaded' struts. Honestly there is NO difference in ride quality or handling. None. I'd say unless you are getting major bounce, ride, handling or leakage, why replace them?

Joel

Hello

I replaced my struts on my 95 at around 200,000. When I got the springs off I checked the strut with the new ones. I really didn't notice any difference. The struts may have been replaced before I got the van at 177,000.

I too missed the 10 year warenty on my springs.

Regards

Dan