Strut & spring lifespan

[stanjk3]

How long do factory struts & springs typically last??
I'm around 46K miles, and the ride feels harsher than it used to. My front end scrapes on rare occasion in places where it didn't before. I still have the front end clunck, am hoping new struts will fix it. Am probably gonna get KYB's for the front, and Monroe's for the rear since the rear KYB's STILL aren't available.

As for springs, did a search and didn't find any exact answers - wondering if anyone makes springs that are stiffer and don't lower your car much. Also worried about my tires rubbing if I lower it too much. That and my car looks lowered already with the larger wheels & tires I have.

[nnewton123]

How long your struts last is very dependant on how you drive and the conditions of the roads you drive on, so it is hard to give an exact number. Basically if you were to go put all your weight on the car... let off.... and it bounces more than once, twice max, you might need new struts.


235/45/17 tires will fit fine with h&r or eibach springs.

[stanjk3]

Anyone know how much OEM springs & struts run?? Didn't see any listed at Autozone or Pep Boys.
Considering the dealer wanted ~$480 for only 2 new tires, I'm guessing suspension parts are also way overpriced. Looks like Eibach's at PFYC ($235) are the best option for minimal lowering, unless you guys know of anything else.
edit: If I do get Eibach springs, will the struts I listed above fit??

[Drew99GT]

You rarely have to replace springs on cars, perhaps if they are like 15 years old with 300,000K on them!!

[99GAGT]

My car has 45000 on it and Im ready to replace the struts. The ride is really rough. I bought 4 monroe sense a trac struts and two front strut mounts because of the front end rattle. All parts shipped cost 336.00 dollars. I bought them on www.rockauto.com. I havnt put them in yet but have had them in other cars and they were a good quality strut.

[ciscokid1970]

it is more determined by driving time and road conditions.

If you live in pothole/speedbump hell the GM suspension starts to degrade quickly after 2 years.

By the time my car got to 4 years old the bouncy was un-bearable.

Mine is a 97 with a 3.1L engine so the newer Grand ams might use different shocks: but tirerack had the best prices I found.
front driver: KYB 235605 $71
front passenger: KYB 235604 $71
REARS AVAILABLE AS OF FEB 2003: KYB KG4552 $27ea

pep boys installed all four and aligned the car for $159
If your strut mounts are real bad you may need to replace those too, luckily mine were fine.

The shocks alone stiffened up the car, no need to upgrade my springs. The car is stiffer than when it was new. I would probably crack my teeth if I had gotten the eibrach springs also.

But I agree with others, it is rare that a spring goes bad, and if it does it usually breaks.

You can test it by seeing how much force it takes to push it down, a good spring should require both hands and most of your weight to push it down. You can go around comparing it to other cars...yeah I can see you guys going around pushing other guys cars. Don't get in to any fights.

[shawn2ktats]

Originally posted by ciscokid1970
it is more determined by driving time and road conditions.

If you live in pothole/speedbump hell the GM suspension starts to degrade quickly after 2 years.

By the time my car got to 4 years old the bouncy was un-bearable.

Mine is a 97 with a 3.1L engine so the newer models might be slightly different.

front driver: KYB 235605 $71 tirerack.com
front passenger: KYB 235604 $71 tirerack.com
REARS AVAILABLE AS OF FEB 2003: KYB KG4552 $27ea tirerack.com

The struts and shocks alone stiffened up the car, no need to upgrade my springs.

they say the rears are $60 not $27 i wish

[stanjk3]

Originally posted by shawn2ktats
they say the rears are $60 not $27 i wish

Think he meant for his car, not 99+. The rear KYB struts are still on "back order", which might as well mean aren't coming out.

PA's slogan might as well be - we've got a pothole with your name on it -or- your suspension woes start here.
I've had my car for 2.5 years, so it's quite possible my struts are already worn out.

[claymore]

I emailed KYB two weeks ago and asked when the rear struts would be available for the 99+ GA and they wrote back saying the middle of March 2003.
Tire rack still has them on back order. I dont know why a company would produce front struts but not rear ones for a car, especially at the same time.!
I want the KYB's but Im not going to order them in back order status and Im not going to wait untill the middle of April to get them. Im ordering the Eibac springs this week and if KYB dosent have their stuff out at tirerack.com by the end of March, Im getting the Monroe struts. I just dont want to be waiting to lower my car half way through the summer.

[nd4spd]

I just found struts and shocks on tirerack.com for like 60 bucks a pop. I guess thats not bad for struts.

[Greed4Speed]

As far as springs go check your yellow pages. There are local places that build custom springs and they may be cheaper than the big name companies. I'm sure they could make a stiffer spring that would ride the stock height or there about.