![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 48
2002 SL1
|
![]()
Just came back from inspection, and both front coil springs have a crack in them. I'll be buying the coils, and have them installed-one question. they mentioned that it's a good idea to also replace the struts, but that would more than double the price. it seems unnecessary to me--any thoughts? thanks.
|
![]() |
![]() |
SaturnFans.com Sponsored Links |
![]() |
#2 | |
Master Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() Quote:
My thought.... you could do it yourself and save a ton of money. It's not as terrible as it seems, and even if you have to buy some tools you will come out ahead on the deal.
...
Alordofchaos is worthy and hides in shadows only to hone his S Series knowledge ninja skills. Swift, silent, trustworthy. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Master Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,103
1995 SW2
2003 VUE 3.0L
|
![]() Quote:
Here's the thread that gave me the confidence to tackle the job . . . http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=170753 |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
Advanced Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 866
1995 SL
1995 SW2
|
![]() Quote:
...
'95 SL 5 Speed 220k - DD '95 SW2 5 Speed 230k - Gone! '95 Camaro Z28 - Project '00 Tahoe Z71 - Truck stuff |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2004
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,857
|
![]()
I just ordered a pair of complete struts (inclusive of upper bearing/mount, springs, and shocks) from RockAuto , which has a selection. That option keeps me from encountering problems with the strut mount/bearing after dismantling the strut assembly to install new shocks. Many report issues with the (well-used) mounts, some parts not available.
My situation is, after 15 years, my OEM struts seem to be OK , but there are some issues developing in the front end (which I'm not great at diagnosing) so replacing the most important front suspension element as a unit seemed prudent as a first (and possibly also last) step. I think my old springs are sagging a bit , but really don't know. RockAuto offers both an "economy" and "Quick" unit setup by Monroe ,and also one from Gabriel . KYB is another quality brand i considered , but they didn't have a complete assembly (spring/mount/shock) offer. The complete unit setups cost between $90 and $150 each wheel. My Monroe units arrived two days ago , and look pretty (hope they work too!). Some posts on this forum indicate that Monroe struts squeak/groan. As noted above , regardless of the option chosen , an alignment is necessary thereafter. My car will only get new FRONT struts , since they do almost all the work in front transaxle drive cars , by my experience. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 48
2002 SL1
|
![]()
My car has 95000 miles, so changing struts would probably be a good idea. rockauto has monroe 'econo-matic' #181924 for $71, NOT quick-strut. any meaningful difference, regular vs. quick-strut? also, I found a pair of 'strutTEK' , complete strut assemblies, for $110/pair. anyone has experience with this brand? thanks.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
Advanced Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 866
1995 SL
1995 SW2
|
![]() Quote:
I'd probably not buy anything labelled "economy" for something I have to ride on every day.
...
'95 SL 5 Speed 220k - DD '95 SW2 5 Speed 230k - Gone! '95 Camaro Z28 - Project '00 Tahoe Z71 - Truck stuff |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 48
2002 SL1
|
![]()
thanks. money is an issue, and I'm not too concerned about the quality of the ride, just that they're reliable. on rockauto, I have 3 choices, fcs, unity, and monroe, from about $57 to $71 each. I also found on ebay a pair of unity 11220, the same ones rockauto sells for $57 each, for $60pair! I am in contact with that seller to make sure it's new, in box, etc. heard that monroes' can squeak, but going to amazon (if you can believe their cust.comments), all 3 brands have equally good reviews. question is.. anyone have a brand preference, especially for fcs and unity? thanks!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2004
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,857
|
![]()
I only decided to replace mine after 208kMiles, so your mileage is low. But the spring issue needs attention. I think some of the economy struts are considered equivalent to the OEM/original equipment.
If the struts(shock absorbers) look OK , you could probably just install new springs for now (it is just labor-intensive) . I doubt the shocks are OK if the springs are cracked/broken . It is said to be the case that sometimes new springs crack , so they may have been defective. Or , possibly the car did off-road work , or was driven on rough roads. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 48
2002 SL1
|
![]()
I don't think I'll chance the struts-might as well get them replaced too. Got a response back from the ebay seller. says they are new in box, so I believe I'm going to buy the unity. for $60, how can I say no. I have a mechanic I know who's going to install them for $100; then another $60 or so for alignment.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: May 2004
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,857
|
![]()
Good plan , Dapper.
You can always upgrade if need arises ... and the suspension will be secure until then. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 48
2002 SL1
|
![]()
Will the ride height in the front be affected? different than the back? make any difference? heard that some people have complained that the height is increased.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Scarborough, On. Canada
Posts: 1,044
1999 SL1
1999 SL2
|
![]()
Your ride height will likely increase a small amount for a little while until the springs are "broken in". This is the case with all new coil spring for the first little while, especially in the case of a broken spring.
...
The SL1...The Lucky Car The SL2..The awesome deal. The #3 Silver SL2 FIVE SPEED! World's biggest fan of doing it the easy way. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Colborne/ Toronto Ontario
Posts: 275
1998 SW2
2000 SC2
|
![]()
I have seen some springs broken due to the struts not dampening the bounce and causing the spring to have to travel more, its a good idea to replace them with quick struts. Your ride height should not be any higher than when the car was new, it will be higher than it currently is though as the new springs have not sagged as yet.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 48
2002 SL1
|
![]()
the ebay seller got back to me and says he made a mistake-the auction was for only 1 assembly, not 2. Not going to pay $120 for unity, when I can get monroe 181924 for $22 more. so I ordered a pair from rockauto. hope they have the squeak issue fixed!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Altamonte Springs,FL
Posts: 173
1995 SC2
|
![]() Quote:
I've been seeing these on my suggested listings on my ebay account and I think I'll pull the trigger and get them next week |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 48
2002 SL1
|
![]()
well, I guess I've learned a lesson the hard way.
Just picked up my car from the mechanic who installed the quick-struts. He told me that the old springs were NOT cracked--it was the paint that was cracked. I had a really good look, now that they were off the car, and he was right. Very unhappy he didn't give me a call when he knew this; he replaced them anyway, knowing they were still good. so now I can't even return the struts I bought. His reasoning is that I wanted him to replace the struts, so he replaced the struts. yikes--this guy has a very good reputation, but not so much with me now. so I'm out the struts, the labor to install, and now the alignment. perhaps I can sell the old struts. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Super Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]()
Who did the inspection? Was the inspection something required by your state?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PA
Posts: 48
2002 SL1
|
![]()
the local "mr. tire" did the inspection. I used them before, and were very satisfied. yes, this was the PA annual inspection. I still need to go back there and get the sticker.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Super Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]()
True, your mechanic should have called you before starting the work, at least if you told him the reason you were having it done. But your real grievance is with the obviously incompetent inspector(s) at Mr. Tire. And it's actually being charitable, calling them "merely" incompetent. If there's any reason to believe that they drummed up this phony "cracked spring" report with any expectation of doing the work to "remedy" it, then it goes beyond incompetence, into the realm of fraud.
This illustrates the folly of most state inspection systems. If the inspectors are not completely independent of any shops that do any of the work required by the inspection, the potential for corruption is just too much for them to resist. The only way to keep such a system honest is to have a completely segregated inspection system. Don't hold your breath.... The upshot is, I think most of the experienced members of this forum didn't question the original diagnosis, because your generation of car is somewhat known for front springs breaking. If this were a gen-1 or gen-2 car, there probably would have been a flurry of replies, recommending you inspect the spring yourself, or at least get a second opinion. Sorry; one of us should have done a reality/sanity check from the git-go. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
How bad is it to just replace 2 front struts for now | bobyjones | S-Series Tech | 3 | 03-17-2013 07:38 PM |
Need to replace my struts | danthedude1193 | S-Series Tech | 5 | 05-13-2010 10:37 PM |
Should I replace my struts? | PlasticCarsRock | S-Series Tech | 17 | 03-15-2010 01:46 AM |
front struts-revisited, ignition key replace too | yankeefan10 | Ion General | 0 | 05-06-2007 12:15 PM |
Should I replace my struts | VTHokie00SL2 | S-Series Tech | 14 | 07-30-2002 01:29 PM |