Struts- Replace 2 or 4
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Driver School Candidate
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From: ca
Struts- Replace 2 or 4
As stated in another thread, my 09 RX with 90k is in need of some repairs. One of which is one leaky strut. One mechanic says that I need to replace 2 at a time. A second opinion is that I should replace 4 at one time. What do you think?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: IL
Pairs for sure, all 4, no, I wouldn't if they are good. My GS has FACTORY shocks on it still, 229k miles (1998 2GS4), OEM stuff is usually best quality, at least on GS.
My 04 RX struts in back are weak, going to replace soon, just been so busy. Fronts are fine, just back are a bit bouncy if the vehicle is loaded with 4 people. Not bad, but I feel it and that is enough....
My 04 RX struts in back are weak, going to replace soon, just been so busy. Fronts are fine, just back are a bit bouncy if the vehicle is loaded with 4 people. Not bad, but I feel it and that is enough....
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Wisconsin
For sure you have to do the opposite side. Doing all 4 not necessary but it probably won't be long. I just did all 4 on a 2006 that we have with 102k on it. Had to do all 4 because I had 1 bad on the front and 1 on the rear.
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 336
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From: Oklahoma
Senin,
I would only replace 2 (either both front or both rear), depending on where the bad one is. If you have 1 bad front and 1 bad rear, you need to replace all 4. If you have 1 (say front) that is bad, and another on the opposite end (rear) is starting to go bad (e.g. leak), you might want to replace all 4 together, even though the rear (in this example) could still be good for a while. The reason I say that is because you are going to need an alignment when you change out struts. Thus, if the rear (in this hypothetical example) is going to need replacing in a couple months, it may be smarter to replace it now and only pay for an alignment once (unless you have a lifetime alignment plan somewhere of course).
I would only replace 2 (either both front or both rear), depending on where the bad one is. If you have 1 bad front and 1 bad rear, you need to replace all 4. If you have 1 (say front) that is bad, and another on the opposite end (rear) is starting to go bad (e.g. leak), you might want to replace all 4 together, even though the rear (in this example) could still be good for a while. The reason I say that is because you are going to need an alignment when you change out struts. Thus, if the rear (in this hypothetical example) is going to need replacing in a couple months, it may be smarter to replace it now and only pay for an alignment once (unless you have a lifetime alignment plan somewhere of course).
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: CA
What brand of Struts did you install in your 2006?
Driver School Candidate
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From: Wisconsin
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From: KC, MO
If I'm doing the job in my garage, or driveway, I'd do all four. If I'm paying someone else to do the work then I'm more likely to do only two. Why? Because it seems that no job is finished until I have absolutely every single tool I own be out of the toolbox, plus some borrowed and some new. At that point I might as well do it all! That said, if I'm paying someone else I tend to do the minimum because they'll charge me by-the-each anyway. I can always come back when I'm good and ready to do the other two.
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Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 249
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From: CA
My RX is smooth as butter, the front seem to be fine. But if you need struts I would look on EBay for a deal on OEM.
I am not doubting KYBs gas charged struts' quality but for some reason I have come to the conclusion the ride is stiffer than oil charged struts, maybe it is just me. In my case I went with OEM and the ride is smooth as always.
Last edited by robbyk; Feb 1, 2015 at 08:07 AM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2014
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From: CA
I planning on replacing the front struts as well. Front suspension seems fine but it is best to replace both front and back. I am going to gather what I need and do this job within the next couple of weeks.
^ I've done that in the past... with quickstruts so it was easy to put in & out, but very expensive.
If I was to do it all over? I'd change what needed to be change, without going the 'extra mile', in this case the fronts.
OEM struts are normally really good in all [higher end] vehicles. I currently have just under 200k KM's on an '04 RX330, all original struts!
If I was to do it all over? I'd change what needed to be change, without going the 'extra mile', in this case the fronts.
OEM struts are normally really good in all [higher end] vehicles. I currently have just under 200k KM's on an '04 RX330, all original struts!
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 249
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From: CA
Last weekend I as was driving I was thinking that I really do not need to replace the front struts, the suspension felt smooth as I went over bumps and I started to think that I am going to wait on replacing the front struts, I do not have any issues with the front suspension unless something happens to one of the front struts which is the reason I replaced the rear ones. One of my rear struts was leaking pretty bad, I thought it was odd as I have under 90 k miles.
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