Need new struts, (IM PRETTY SURE)

[Muggerrudd]

For awhile now i have been dealing with horrible front tire wear. The outside edge cupped on my last set of front tires and now these ones.

I use this car as a DD, so what would be my best/least expensive set of struts for me to install?

[miA4]

I would look at bilstein or koni sports. I've had both with no complaints

[67Twisty]

Are you currently lowered? Sport suspension? Bilstein sports or Koni sports are nice but not necessarily cheap. If just replacing your OEM struts and not lowered, the Bilstein Touring are cheaper and similar to stock. If you're lowered you may need to raise the car or look into adjustable UCAs. Springs/control arm/tie rod wear often lead to camber issues vs. blown struts. You'll know if the struts are shot by how the car handles (dips/bounces) over irregular roads, speed bumps, etc.

Also pay for a 4-wheel alignment. It's not very expensive compared to frequently replacing tires.

[Muggerrudd]

The car is stock with non sport suspension, and the ride is really bumpy. I replaced all my control arms in October. And the alignment is a given.

[drmonkey]

The car is stock, and the ride is really bumpy. I replaced all my control arms in October. And the alignment is a given.

I'm curious as well...I have the Sport suspension but my ride is really rough/bumpy.

[miA4]

I'm curious as well...I have the Sport suspension but my ride is really rough/bumpy.

you may want to check the bump stops on your struts... or they may be blown.

[Muggerrudd]

you may want to check the bump stops on your struts... or they may be blown.

my bump stops are intact and look alright. we have horrible roads here around the Cleveland, OH area and some of the pot holes can swallow a car easily. When i buy new struts ill also get a set of upper strut mounts and new bump stops. rather replace all that stuff while I'm already in there.

[drmonkey]

you may want to check the bump stops on your struts... or they may be blown.

Ah! I know the rear bump stops are destroyed, so I was going to buy new bump stops and strut mounts. I have new 034 Motorsport front strut mounts and bump stops that need to be installed. It also probably doesn't help that I'm on 19" wheels and feel everything.

[67Twisty]

Make sure you torque the nut on the top hat without turning the strut piston. Use a pass-through socket and not air tools to tighten it down. If it's loose it will rattle and drive you bonkers post-install. And if you spin the piston while trying to toque it down, you can blow a brand new strut.

[Muggerrudd]

Make sure you torque the nut on the top hat without turning the strut piston. Use a pass-through socket and not air tools to tighten it down. If it's loose it will rattle and drive you bonkers post-install. And if you spin the piston while trying to toque it down, you can blow a brand new strut.

good advice, ill use a ratcheting wrench. is it normally an allen in the center to hold it or what?

[67Twisty]

There is a hex/Allen key fitting at the top of the piston and the nut is a nyloc. You should be able to hold the shock tube tight standing vertical or put the strut body in a bench vise to remove the top nut on the old strut and secure the top nut on the replacement. If your discarding the old struts an air wrench works great to zip off the old nut, but use the pass through ratchet and Allen wrench to install the new one. Not sure about Bilstein, but Koni includes pretty cryptic install instructions with the box. The DIY threads here have decent photos of the process.