I had to bring my 5.5 Gen to the local Firestone shop last weekend because I picked up a screw in one of my tires. While it was there they of course gave it a once over to see how much extra money they could get out of me. They told me I should consider replacing the struts because they would be considered a maintenance item at about 75K miles which ironically is almost the exact miles on my car. They admitted that the struts are not leaking and don't show any signs of failing.

I know the struts won't last forever but the stock suspension still seems to ride like it did when new. Unless they start leaking or show other signs of extreme wear when should I consider replacing the struts?

 

If it aint broke, don't fix it.

I'm assuming your car is all stock, suspension wise?

BUT, these cars are 10+ years old (last manufacture known date of 2/03 for 03's), so keep it on your radar.


djfrestyl might be a better guy to ask. He has an entire thread on suspension a few down from this one.

 

If the ride is still good - i would not replace your struts. I replaced mine at 120K - and to be honest the ride didn't change at all. I was hoping that the new struts would solve a clunking in the rear end issue. Now I have new struts all around and the Clunk still exists....if they aren't leaking and the ride is still good - don't replace them

 

Yes the car is all stock. That is kind of what I figured and I definitely knew better than to take their word for it but it did get me thinking if there is recommended time when they should be replaced.

 

You're fine running the stock setup. I replaced mine around 100k and they still weren't leaking. I replaced them and installed H&R springs at the same time.

 

75K is maybe a little early to change shocks unless the roads you drive on are what is called "washboard" meaning they are slightly hilly. But by 100K, they do need to be replaced. They may not be leaking but the o-rings inside are wearing out.

 

IMO mileage is irrelevant. Just check for leaks.

 

I know that they'll need to be changed eventually but 75K almost seemed a bit too soon to me if they aren't leaking. I'll probably start thinking about having them replaced around 100K miles.

 

I am an engineer for a company that makes shocks/struts and if they aren't leaking and you don't experience excessive bouncing when going over bumps (your car should go up and down once and stop) then they're fine. I had 285K on my last car with original shocks/struts (struts are on the front and shocks on the rear). They weren't as stiff as they were new, but they still performed just fine and never leaked.

We recommend replacing them every 50K miles, but thats usually only needed if you use them heavily (if you live in Michigan, I'm talking about you!). There aren't o-rings in shocks, but lip seals that the rod goes in and out of (that's what usually leaks) and on the piston inside the shock. If they don't leak, what usually wears out is the metal discs that control the fluid flow and do the damping. If the suspension starts to feel soft, or the car dips or dives more than normal under breaking or acceleration, then they need replaced. Hope this helps!

 

Do the bounce test and you can find out if they are worn out or not.

 

I guess OP (and I'm in the same boat) is asking: do you really need to change the spark plugs regardless of anything?
I for example have 104k miles, engine idles and works flawless, and get 24 to 25 mpg (manually calculated, I log every fill up with mileage. Dash shows 25.8mpg). Still I need to change them (now)?

 

Personally, if the car is running great, I would wait and see if any repairs are needed between now and 125k. I would then combine the spark plug replacement along with the other repair.

Unless you are handy with some tools and just want to do it in an afternoon in your driveway. The hardest part are the bolts to remove the upper intake manifold.

 

Thanks for the reply.
Although my bad I don't know why I posted my question here. I confused it with another thread where OP asked should spark plugs be replaced at 100k miles.
Anyway good to know thanks again