Ebay (Amazon) struts yea or nea?

"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
10/16/2017 at 15:30 • Filed to: None

Straightforward post. My wife’s 2000 Camry’s front left strut is sounding really really nasty over bumps and the like in the road, so it’s time for replacement. I will be getting complete struts. I have been looking at either Monroe Quick-Struts at $100 a piece or KYB Strut-Plus for ~$120 piece. However my FIL sent me a link to a pair of front struts from “Prime Choice Auto Parts” on amazon fo ~$120 for the pair.

I expressed reservation at buying no name auto parts like this, but he was quick to remind me that the rear struts were replaced with ebay struts and they’re just fine. First of all the ride height at the rear is definitely higher than oem, and secondly all this has done is make me nervous about the rear struts failing unexpectedly (although they have been on there a couple years.). We plan to keep the car for another 2.5 years max.

So I guess I’m looking for validation on this, oppo. Are my feelings about this right? Should I spend the money on a quality component, or will cheaper struts be fine?

DISCUSSION (17)

Arrivederci > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/16/2017 at 15:33

They’re probably fine and if you said you were getting rid of the car within a year, I’d say go ahead and do it, but since you’re planning on keeping it for another 2.5 years, maybe spring for the decent stuff.

lone_liberal > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/16/2017 at 15:35

Personally, I’m with you. When it comes to safety items I like to stick to a known name brand, after all, $120 isn’t a lot for your peace of mind.

Sweet Trav > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/16/2017 at 15:35

If you’re for sure going to ditch the car soon, sure put on whatever parts you want from the Big-rock-Candy Mountain. If that’s even less that 100 certainty, buy the KYB’s and rest easy that the parts are safe and will hopefully maintain your alignment and not eat tires.

Takuro Spirit > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/16/2017 at 15:39

Its Shocktober on Monroes. Struts and brakes are the two things I wouldn’t skimp on, unless you don’t like your wife...

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/promotions/monroe-shocktober-2-consumer-promotion-us/

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2017 at 15:42

Dude, thank you. I’m probably gonna order some Monroes off RockAuto in this case.

For Sweden > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2017 at 15:44

Shocktober is better than Truck Month

ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/16/2017 at 15:44

Here’s a RockAuto 5% discount code: 6881761861709990. It’s good through Nov 5. Enter it into the “How did you hear about us?” space.

benjrblant > For Sweden
10/16/2017 at 15:45

Depending on where you live, every month is truck month.

Trunk Impaired 318 > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/16/2017 at 15:45

On such a mass produced car of that age, the cheapo struts are probably just fine. Sure they won’t be as good/durable as the name brand stuff but they’re likely at least 75% as good for half as much.

That said, if you want the extra piece of mind, it’s not like the KYBs are ridiculously expensive. See if you can find any reviews or forum talk for the cheapo brand and that could help give you more concrete advice.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
10/16/2017 at 15:47

Thanks, man!

Takuro Spirit > For Sweden
10/16/2017 at 15:51

How do you feel about Toyotathon?

For Sweden > benjrblant
10/16/2017 at 15:51

Kinja'd!!!

For Sweden > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2017 at 15:51

I avoid Plano out of principle.

deekster_caddy > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/16/2017 at 16:10

I really don’t like to skimp on struts. If you are doing quick struts just get the Monroes and be done (unless you want the KYBs). Ride height doesn’t always match exactly with any quick strut I’ve ever used, but it usually matches up close enough after things have settled (a couple weeks of regular driving). The only way I’ve ever been really satisfied with strut replacements is when I buy the strut alone and swap the spring over. That can be sketchy though, especially if you are doing the work yourself, quick struts aren’t that much more money and add a big safety factor to the job.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/16/2017 at 16:11

I did KYB Strut Plus all around on a 1999 Camry last year and had spring binding on one of the fronts - when turning hard sometimes there would be a springy “sproingg” noise/sensation as the spring popped back into place.

Frenchlicker > Takuro Spirit
10/16/2017 at 18:58

Well, it looks like it’s finally time to get some new shocks for my Jeep.

pip bip - choose Corrour > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
10/17/2017 at 06:43

go for the $120 pair, it’s only a Camry after all.