yortyarg Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Need to replace struts all the way around, running gear has 268,000 miles got the car at 50,000 miles. So any recommendations on brands, Minnesota weather is a factor, and the wife wants a good ride Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdweninger Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 For a good ride... call 1-800-newhuby. Sorry, couldn't resist. So, you must have a Ford F 150, 4wd, probably 1992 ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 KYB. 'Nuff said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 1+ KYB, the will be a little stiffer, but thats the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 year & model would be very helpful, but yeah - KYBs are about the best replacement you can get for a Subaru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 when replacing the struts, you will have to cut the tab that secures the brake line in order to remove it. You will also have to notch the new strut to accept the clip (or zip tie) to attach the brake line. Unless you feel like disconnecting all the lines and have Soooooo much fun bleeding the system. O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msmithmmx Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I did the job a few years back myself and I used OEM springs and Monroe struts. If I ever do it again I will buy the strut and spring in one package already assembled. Using that spring compressor is a little nerve racking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
86BRATMAN Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 To my knowledge nobody makes a "quick strut" for a subaru. I'd be happy to be shown otherwise though. I'm not a big fan of the compressor I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 my fav, find a nice set of KYB in the yard and get the complete strut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Agree with the others, KYB is my recommendation. I have used there struts for years, and always been pleased. Great quality, last a long time. Yea, a little stiffer then OEM, but maybe some of that is just because of the difference in comparing a warn out strut to a new one. The last couple of installations, I had done at a shop, that let me bring in my new KBBs. I never liked working with a spring compressor. Always felt wary that the compressor was some how going to slip and release the tension on the spring in a nasty way. I just think it is a dumb way to get hurt, and then needing to go to a hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Use a strut compressor which has the lock pins. You can do a rental from Advance Auto/ similar shop and they will refund the cost when returned. These are completely safe. I dropped a compressed unit and noting unusual happened. Knowing I was going to use them again, I purchased a pair ($60 from Advance) and have been completely satisfied with the decision. O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 So I guess you wold not like my forklift or vertical lift strut compressor. Just do it safe and smart. Not that much compression is needed just to start the nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThosL Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 What's the best price for a shop to do struts? Quotes I have heard are quite high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Figure about an hour and a half per strut for labor. Add another half hour to bleed the brakes. Plus a charge for "shop supplies". Strut prices vary pretty widely. If you have the shop order them, figure anywhere from $75-125 per strut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Shop price will be highly variable. If they use a pre-assembled strut with the spring and such that would be the minimum labor. No need for a spring compressor, just use this handy trick (just kidding of course the spring ties method is highly dangerous, I just remember seeing this pic somewhere years back) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Shop price will be highly variable. If they use a pre-assembled strut with the spring and such that would be the minimum labor. No need for a spring compressor, just use this handy trick (just kidding of course the spring ties method is highly dangerous, I just remember seeing this pic somewhere years back) Wow......that picture needs to be with other photos on how to do red neck repairs..........LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I did the job a few years back myself and I used OEM springs and Monroe struts. If I ever do it again I will buy the strut and spring in one package already assembled. Using that spring compressor is a little nerve racking. have used both Monroe and KYB replacements - I like the KYB much more. did KYB struts & tops with OE springs (everything brand new) on my current daily driver & like the ride - firmer than Monroe struts, but not harsh 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I used Monroe many years ago on a Ford Escort. The handling afterward would best be described as a 'wet noodle'. I like the firmness of the KYB GR-2's. One nice thing about using all new components is you don't have to disassemble the old struts assemblies, which when doing all four is a bit of a time saver. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 (edited) I used Monroe many years ago on a Ford Escort. The handling afterward would best be described as a 'wet noodle'. I like the firmness of the KYB GR-2's. One nice thing about using all new components is you don't have to disassemble the old struts assemblies, which when doing all four is a bit of a time saver. Exactly! and that is part of the reason I did it that way. the other part was that the old ones came off of a donor that had over 350K on it and were in pretty bad shape - as in "bucking bronco" bad...but - they were still better than the busted springs that were on the car when I got it... have to agree with the Monroe being "wet noodle-ish". Have also used Gabriel struts in the past on the old GL - better than Monroe, but not as good as the KYBs. with a bit of shopping around one can find KYBs at a better price, too... I think I ordered mine, along with the tops, from partsgeek.com My advise is: go to the KYB website, look up the correct part numbers, then shop around for the best overall price - and dont forget about shipping costs when comparing prices! one site had the actual struts a little cheaper, but soaked on the shipping... total cost ended up being more with them. Edited October 25, 2014 by heartless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I flat out refuse to use Monroe. I've used them in the past and was very dissatisfied with the ride quality. I replaced a set of shocks on a volvo and the leaking shocks with 250k miles on them had a better ride than brand the new Monroe's I put on it. I drove the car about a mile, took the Monroes off and returned them to the parts store. A few years later I saw a "How It's Made" video that showed how they build their shocks and struts and what I saw scared me away from the Monroe brand entirely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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