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Replacing struts. What else to replace at the same time?

T

tag

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Aug 1, 2009
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The rear struts in my 98 Contour SE (V6, ATX) are getting replaced with Monroe Gasmatic struts (yeah, they're probably crap, but I didn't pay for them and they're better than leaking/worn struts). What rubber bits and whatnot should I replace at the same time? Strut mounts? Anything else?

Also, my dad is the one paying for all of this, so I really shouldn't complain about anything, but should I try to convince him to return the Monroe struts ($116 for both) and get the rear Sachs Super Gas Struts (part K402S) from BAT? And maybe get the front struts, too (best to replace all 4 at once)? What sort of quality difference is there between Monroe and Sachs?

What else should be replaced when replacing the front struts?
 
When doing the fronts, it's best to look into lower control arms, too, for your ball joints and the arm bushings themselves. Strut mounts are a good thing to replace as well, because more than likely, they will be just as worn out. If I were you, I'd do all four corners at the same time so I wouldn't have to worry about the rears later. That's just me. Still the same amount of time invested in changing them out, just not wanting to do it later on. And it avoids having mixed matched mileage on struts.

I'm sure others will chime in with more info, but that's all I know for the most part.
 
Thanks.

I think I'm just gonna stick with the cheap Monroes. I'll probably replace the strut mounts and rear sway bar bushings.
 
tag said:
Thanks.

I think I'm just gonna stick with the cheap Monroes. I'll probably replace the strut mounts and rear sway bar bushings.
Click to expand...

A friend and I just replaced my rear struts last weekend. I got a pair of KYB struts for $117 shipped on eBay. I did the mounts and sway bar links also. I took us about 2 1/2 hours to do the drivers side, and about 1 hour for the passenger side. It's always easier the second time around.

I plan on doing the front struts, mounts, and sway bar links this coming weekend. With what we learned doing the rear, the front should be a breeze. After everything is installed I will get her aligned and she'll be ready for the autocross.
 
Fronts you need spring compressors. Rears you don't, just a little body weight. Definitely do strut mounts, and I highly suggest sway bar endlinks and maybe the bushings (for the rear, that is).
 
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