Hey everyone, 2006 corolla with about 80k on the odometer. Is this a typical mileage to replace struts? Was told when I had my alignment done I needed new ones. Is that an easy job? I would like to it myself. I change all my fluids, done new rotors and pads, and feel pretty comfortable with a wrench. Thoughts?
Strut Replacement
- Thread starter kingjames
- Start date
No, u can get kyb structs/shocks only, spring just lower the car,(center of gravity, stability) , check spec on 06 and 03, might be diff, look up on tirerack.com for parts. I would recommend gettin both, from my experience, 03 corolla used to feel really really bad(dangerous) when cornerin, but now its stiff n smooth. If u r close by, u should come check out my car.
1. Yes.
2. No.
I'm shocked that any auto center would perform a four wheel alignment on your vehicle when it needed MacPherson struts. When the struts are replaced, the vehicle needs re-aligning as all the alignment settings are changed when the struts are replaced. If they didn't tell you this before doing the alignment, in my opinion they just ripped you off, as when the struts are replaced, you'll have to pay for a four wheel alignment again.
By the way, nice screen name.
-- Monroe Certified Ride Specialist
2. No.
I'm shocked that any auto center would perform a four wheel alignment on your vehicle when it needed MacPherson struts. When the struts are replaced, the vehicle needs re-aligning as all the alignment settings are changed when the struts are replaced. If they didn't tell you this before doing the alignment, in my opinion they just ripped you off, as when the struts are replaced, you'll have to pay for a four wheel alignment again.
By the way, nice screen name.
-- Monroe Certified Ride Specialist
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It is unusual to need to replace the coil springs, unless they are broken. Replacing the springs is not needed and only adds to the expense. What is far more commonly needed when replacing struts is the strut bearing plates which turn with the struts when you turn the steering wheel. Over time these wear out, get rusty, contaminated with dirt and don't operate smoothly and quietly anymore. When replacing the struts, the bearing plates should be checked to see if they need to be replaced while the struts are out of the car, so you don't have to pay the labor twice if they fail in the future.
Lowering springs compromise the ride of the vehicle, meaning it will ride stiffer and provide less comfort. Riding stiffer, this will transmit more of the shock of hitting road irregularities such as potholes, etc., to the struts and the entire suspension, with the end result being parts will wear out faster. $$$ With the vehicle being lower, it is also far more likely to have damage from hitting curbs, high parking lot entrance ways and also bumps in the road, or speed bumps, which can damage the exhaust system and other under-car components.
Advance Auto Parts has high quality Monroe struts for your Corolla on sale at about $100 each and if memory serves me correctly, I think they have a lifetime warranty through Advance. Below is the link. I hope this helps you out.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_oespectrum-strut-monroe_15930298-p?navigationPath=L1*14921%7CL2*15010
- Monroe Certified Ride Specialist
Lowering springs compromise the ride of the vehicle, meaning it will ride stiffer and provide less comfort. Riding stiffer, this will transmit more of the shock of hitting road irregularities such as potholes, etc., to the struts and the entire suspension, with the end result being parts will wear out faster. $$$ With the vehicle being lower, it is also far more likely to have damage from hitting curbs, high parking lot entrance ways and also bumps in the road, or speed bumps, which can damage the exhaust system and other under-car components.
Advance Auto Parts has high quality Monroe struts for your Corolla on sale at about $100 each and if memory serves me correctly, I think they have a lifetime warranty through Advance. Below is the link. I hope this helps you out.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_oespectrum-strut-monroe_15930298-p?navigationPath=L1*14921%7CL2*15010
- Monroe Certified Ride Specialist
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Thanks for the info. Are all four struts the same? I thought the front and rears were slightly different, but I could be totally off...
Also, you say changing these is a pretty tough job? Could you give me a little guidance on what is involved? I would like to do this myself it possible.
Lastly, I would probably replace the bearings while I'm in there, do you have a part number for those?
Thanks again
Also, you say changing these is a pretty tough job? Could you give me a little guidance on what is involved? I would like to do this myself it possible.
Lastly, I would probably replace the bearings while I'm in there, do you have a part number for those?
Thanks again
To replace the struts, a coil spring compressor tool is needed, as the coil springs have to come off with the struts. The bolts securing the struts are also very large and require a lot of torque to loosen them, which many times means air tools are needed.
The struts for the front and rear are different. For part numbers, to rent the coil spring compressor tool and purchase air tools with a compressor, Advance Auto Parts can help you with all this. http://www.AdvanceAutoParts.com has more information for you. By the time the needed tools are rented and/or purchased, plus the price of the struts, it might actually cost less to have a professional automotive technician do the job for you. Plus, then a four wheel alignment can be done immediately after the struts are replaced, (which is needed), and you wont be driving around wearing out your tires at a rapid pace. Also, if you want to do the job yourself, I can strongly recommend a step-by-step auto repair manual, so you will know how to safely and properly do the job. http://www.AllData.com has excellent repair manuals that you can purchase and use online. The price is only about $30 and is a bargain.
Did an auto center really perform a four wheel alignment on your car knowing it needed struts?
Also, why did they recommend struts? If the struts pass a bounce test, or are not leaking oil, then there's no need to replace them. With the bounce test, go to each corner of the vehicle and push down on the corner as hard as you can, let it bounce back up, push down again with all your might, etc., until you have it really bouncing a lot, then let go and if the car continues to bounce more than three times the struts are worn and should be replaced. To check for leaking struts, look behind the tires at the struts and where the chrome rod of the strut is, in the center, towards the upper end of the strut, look on the body of the strut below that chrome rod to see if there are any dark wet spots. If so, the seals have blown and are allowing the oil inside the strut to leak out, which of course also means they should be replaced.
The struts for the front and rear are different. For part numbers, to rent the coil spring compressor tool and purchase air tools with a compressor, Advance Auto Parts can help you with all this. http://www.AdvanceAutoParts.com has more information for you. By the time the needed tools are rented and/or purchased, plus the price of the struts, it might actually cost less to have a professional automotive technician do the job for you. Plus, then a four wheel alignment can be done immediately after the struts are replaced, (which is needed), and you wont be driving around wearing out your tires at a rapid pace. Also, if you want to do the job yourself, I can strongly recommend a step-by-step auto repair manual, so you will know how to safely and properly do the job. http://www.AllData.com has excellent repair manuals that you can purchase and use online. The price is only about $30 and is a bargain.
Did an auto center really perform a four wheel alignment on your car knowing it needed struts?
Also, why did they recommend struts? If the struts pass a bounce test, or are not leaking oil, then there's no need to replace them. With the bounce test, go to each corner of the vehicle and push down on the corner as hard as you can, let it bounce back up, push down again with all your might, etc., until you have it really bouncing a lot, then let go and if the car continues to bounce more than three times the struts are worn and should be replaced. To check for leaking struts, look behind the tires at the struts and where the chrome rod of the strut is, in the center, towards the upper end of the strut, look on the body of the strut below that chrome rod to see if there are any dark wet spots. If so, the seals have blown and are allowing the oil inside the strut to leak out, which of course also means they should be replaced.
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Thanks Scott for all the info. I really appreciate it. The shop that did the alignment did tell me beforehand. All they wanted was $1,200 to replace all the struts, which I immediately replied I would not require. He showed me mine while the vehicle was up. I did not see any oil leaking out of them. I will try the bounce test and see if that indicates anything. I was pretty suspicious when he told me, but will find out for sure.
Whoa!!! $1,200?!!! Advance Auto Parts has them on sale for $100 each and labor to install all four should be about $300 or so, if not less. You were smart to decline the repair!
My pleasure with the help. I enjoy helping people with their cars and this has been my profession for the past 25+ years. Check out my website, as it has many products that will help your vehicle run better, save you money in reduced maintenance costs and improved fuel economy, reduce wear and tear, more power, a longer lasting engine that runs, "like new", for a longer period of time, reduce emissions, provide for an internally cleaner engine. The prices you see listed for any of the products are retail prices, but for Corolla forum members I will get you wholesale prices, the same price I pay, which is about 25-30% lower than retail prices.
My pleasure with the help. I enjoy helping people with their cars and this has been my profession for the past 25+ years. Check out my website, as it has many products that will help your vehicle run better, save you money in reduced maintenance costs and improved fuel economy, reduce wear and tear, more power, a longer lasting engine that runs, "like new", for a longer period of time, reduce emissions, provide for an internally cleaner engine. The prices you see listed for any of the products are retail prices, but for Corolla forum members I will get you wholesale prices, the same price I pay, which is about 25-30% lower than retail prices.
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Haha ya they were giving me all sorts of pressure do replace them. Glad I walked out. I did the bounce test and I actually think me struts are just fine. Probably not 100%, but I think they have some life left in them. The car did not bounce around hardly at all when I would bounce it and then let go.
Thanks again for all the info, I really do appreciate it. I will definitely be checking out your website also!
Thanks again for all the info, I really do appreciate it. I will definitely be checking out your website also!
Just a local tire shop called Alpha Tire. I got a coupon I the mail for an alignment service for $29. Just had new tires put on and knew it needed to be done. Obviously I won't be going back there anytime soon. Besides, I really prefer to do everything I can myself. I am doing two masters degrees and wrenching is a nice break from school.
When I did the bounce test I got the corolla bouncing as much as I could with my own power. I'm 6'0 and 210 so I'm not a small guy either. When I would stop bouncing it, there was hardly any bounce and movement.
When I did the bounce test I got the corolla bouncing as much as I could with my own power. I'm 6'0 and 210 so I'm not a small guy either. When I would stop bouncing it, there was hardly any bounce and movement.
Then the struts are absolutely fine, as long as they aren't leaking, which I think you said they weren't. Might want to ask the manager of that store why the struts replacement was recommended by them and see what you get for an answer! Fraudulent recommendations for auto repair violate consumer laws and are no laughing matter.
Fraudulent recommendations for auto repair violate consumer laws and are no laughing matter.I did a pair of Struts on my Buick. Since I was doing the job alone I knew I would need a bench vise to help hold the strut assembly while working on it. I purchased a clam shell style compressor from otc online. It came with its own instructions. I felt comfortable with the compressor which very easily compressed the spring once I refit the compressor to the right spots on the spring. I was able to loosen the top nut with my electric impact. Then I was able to r&r the strut and reinstall the new one. The springs on the buick were not terribly corroded so I reused them. I went for an alignment the next day and I ended up with a much improved ride on my Century Limited.
For others looking for estimates on Corolla strut replacement, see here:
carinorder.com
Enter the appropriate information (year, engine, etc.) and the enter the search query "strut" (singular).
Keep in mind the prices are for only one strut. So for doing both struts, you would have to double the part cost. The labor cost would also go up somewhat, but wouldn't double.
carinorder.com
Enter the appropriate information (year, engine, etc.) and the enter the search query "strut" (singular).
Keep in mind the prices are for only one strut. So for doing both struts, you would have to double the part cost. The labor cost would also go up somewhat, but wouldn't double.
In case someone else finds this thread, I had thumping in the front end of my 2004 Corolla with ~200k miles at the time. Ended up replacing the front struts and all was well again. The job is pretty straightforward as mentioned previously. If you want to see what was involved with that repair, check out this link. I tried to document the steps, part numbers, and provide some photos. Hope someone finds it useful.
https://manicmechanics.wordpress.com/2017/10/14/replacing-the-front-struts-on-a-toyota-corolla/
https://manicmechanics.wordpress.com/2017/10/14/replacing-the-front-struts-on-a-toyota-corolla/
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