strut time need advise

[kms1990]

so, my car seems to need new struts its at 148,000 miles and i have a very limited budget (college student work part time for hardly any money) i found sensen struts complete set for $149 on ebay are these any good? or should i go kyb for $229 on autopartswharehouse.com? im going with duralast mounts from autozone as i get a 20% discount there but the struts are $75.99 before my discount so makes it $350ish total for all of it at autozone. and with me about to have to rent my books for the semester im short on cash at the moment so if sensen will give me a good ride(close to oe) and last for at least at least 2 years until i graduate and maybe a little longer to find a job i will use them but if anyone has any actual use with sensen and/or kyb input is greatly needed please no brand a sucks because brand b is name brand ect i want real facts and real usage results/longevity and ride quality


so what are the thoughts? i would ask my dad for help and get the best i can get but he just had someone hit and run on his new car so i have no help with this repair.

 

[hornsfan10609]

I have also heard of Stagg if you are on a budget. It's your money and ultimately your decision. My advice is get the KYBs or some tokicos (used tokicos are relatively common around the forums) as they will give you less trouble in the long run.

 

[kms1990]

I have been searching around for some used struts but could not find any for the p5. any specific search terms i could try?

 

[Soundwave.]

As far as i know (because I've been looking as well) Almost all manufacturers for struts for the P5 are on back order. This is from stagg and tokico, although the sales rep for stagg said there would be struts in stock in December which there are not.

 

[Brian_K]

i found this yesterday http://www.moccforums.com/forums/index.php/topic,32334.0.html. not sure if he's willing to ship though

 

[kms1990]

hm brian_k i have to register to see that thread, its very cold here in texas, as we all are right now. i drove to the gas station this morning to get gas and drinks and it was about 11 degrees out, i noticed when i went over bumps the struts now make a grind noise, is this the cold? or are they making noise in cold louder because theyre worn out?

 

[Nocturin]

As far as i know (because I've been looking as well) Almost all manufacturers for struts for the P5 are on back order. This is from stagg and tokico, although the sales rep for stagg said there would be struts in stock in December which there are not.

Damnit, still?! I wanted to go with a set of tokico HPs. It's gonna suck if I have to go with coilovers to get a better handling strut. Le sigh.

 

[ZedStyle]

picked up a set of all 4 KYB's on ebay for $202 shipped. no regrets.

 

[kms1990]

zedstyle can you post a link to those i cannot find kybs for the p5 on ebay

 

[hornsfan10609]

Suspension noise may be from the swaybar bushings and endlinks. Could be the strut mounts as well but most likely not the struts, when they fail you will either have a very floaty, bouncy or harsh/stiff ride.

KYB struts for P5:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-GR-2-EX...its=Model:Protege&hash=item4ab170d38a&vxp=mtr

 

[kms1990]

i found a set of 4 kybs on ebay from shock guys for 209 just now with free shipping go for it?

 

[hornsfan10609]

If they are Protege struts then absolutely

 

[Soundwave.]

Suspension noise may be from the swaybar bushings and endlinks. Could be the strut mounts as well but most likely not the struts, when they fail you will either have a very floaty, bouncy or harsh/stiff ride.

KYB struts for P5:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KYB-GR-2-EX...its=Model:Protege&hash=item4ab170d38a&vxp=mtr

these are for stock height though correct? Not for lowering springs

 

[Soundwave.]

. (double posted)

 

[Soundwave.]

Damnit, still?! I wanted to go with a set of tokico HPs. It's gonna suck if I have to go with coilovers to get a better handling strut. Le sigh.

that's what im worried about too, looks like tax return money will be going to coilovers if no struts pop up soon.

 

[Soundwave.]

. (double post again) anyone else getting this issue? Was fine last night and i wake up this morning and BAM!

 

[kms1990]

mine is stock and these are stock oe compatible kyb part numbers

 

[kms1990]

strut mount recommendations? autozone doesnt sell them with bearings

 

[ZedStyle]

zedstyle can you post a link to those i cannot find kybs for the p5 on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251351486122?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271290466092?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271290487749?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271291055503?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

http://showmetheparts.com/kyb/

I highly recommend you pick up some end links for the rear stabilizer bar in advance (or have access to a ride to take you to the store during the install - only thing is that a lot of places don't have them in stock so i would order them and then return if you don't use). They are a b!tch to remove and one of them stayed connected the the old strut. I found them at Napa for like $15 a piece, well worth it. Make sure you have a hex bit for them otherwise they just spin.
Also the front strut mount, make sure you don't over-torque the bolts, they strip.

These were a couple of things that went wrong when i did mine so passing on the info...

 

[kms1990]

thanks