struts - when to replace and what brand to buy??

[RU482]

My wife drives an 03 Pontiac Montana w/ ~80k miles
Tires are shot, the alignment is bad, and the ride is getting pretty sloppy.

I've got some new tires picked out on tire rack (Dunlop SP60s).

I have no clue what is good for Struts, but I assume it is time to replace the factory originals. The ones on TireRack don't get very glamorous reviews. Autozone carries Gabriel's Ultra Line for ~$57. Are they worth a crap?

 

[bruceb]

KYB Struts are very good. Or if you go with GM replacements, I think they
have a lifetime warranty on the replacements. You should at this point
also check and replace the Upper Strut Bearing mounts as they wear out.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: bruceb
KYB Struts are very good. Or if you go with GM replacements, I think they
have a lifetime warranty on the replacements. You should at this point
also check and replace the Upper Strut Bearing mounts as they wear out.

Ahh, thanks, that brings a secondary question of what other parts should be replaced. Thanks

 

[jagec]

The struts are already shot on an 03? Wow.
You might want to check all your suspension bushings...that's another wear item.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: jagec
The struts are already shot on an 03? Wow.
You might want to check all your suspension bushings...that's another wear item.

Well, I don't know that. About 3 years ago, I put some cheapo Kuhmo tires on. They are absolute crap.

I think I will progress in this order:

replace tires and do a 4 wheel alignment

Let it ride for a while, see if the wife notices an improvement

If no, get new struts


The bad side of this is that an alignment will need to be done again. Makes me think I should just replace the struts now.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Check out TireRack for suspension parts. KYB GR2's are great struts and will last longer than the usual Monrtoe SensaTrac's.

I would also check out TireRack for tires. The General Altimax's we have on the Chrysler are wearing good and were a bargain of about $80 shipped per tire as they have a really long tread life. I'd assume you need the same size, 225/60/16.


Edit: When you reaplce the struts, you may need to replace the strut mounts. The mounts cost damn near the same as a strut but it may be worth it if your mounts are worn & squeaky.

 

[AnnonUSA]

Stock Struts are usually gone by 45 to 55K miles.

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: AnnonUSA
Stock Struts are usually gone by 45 to 55K miles.

On what? That's way too soon.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: Fmr12B
Check out TireRack for suspension parts. KYB GR2's are great struts and will last longer than the usual Monrtoe SensaTrac's.

I would also check out TireRack for tires. The General Altimax's we have on the Chrysler are wearing good and were a bargain of about $80 shipped per tire as they have a really long tread life. I'd assume you need the same size, 225/60/16.


Edit: When you reaplce the struts, you may need to replace the strut mounts. The mounts cost damn near the same as a strut but it may be worth it if your mounts are worn & squeaky.

wow, you didn't read the OP at all..totally understandable. I am thinking it would be easier to get both the tires an struts from TireRack, and have them all shipped to the installer. Plus I can get that 3.3% fatcash!

Any idea where I can get the strut mounts? (Tirerack only lists struts, strut boots, can"FastCam Bolts")

Thanks all