My son's '92 AE92 SE hatch needs new damping at both ends.

 

For now, I'm interested in what's involved in doing the front.

 

I've been advised that the whole strut is replaced, and is not a job for the handy-person - is this true?

 

Quotes so far have been: $590 fitted or $362 supply only - Pedders; or Monroe $350 fitted elsewhere, with a possible $88 for bump stops.

 

Questions:

Are there particular brands recommended (or to be avoided), and what are they?

Is it possible to DIY?

Are there reasonably priced avenues for repair in the Brisbane area?

 

Thanks

Ive been told to steer clear of pedders if you want any performance out of them, As in good for a daily driver but not a car that gets drivin hard every now and then.

 

KYB is better and i have used them and rate them highly for there price.

 

Very possible to do it yourself. Where abouts are you located ?

 

Des :jamie:

Edited May 3, 200719 yr by AE70

Thanks Des

 

I'm in Maroochydore, but son & car are in Toowong. Work could be done in either.

 

Any suggestions on where to acquire the struts?

 

Korolla

 

 

 

Ive been told to steer clear of pedders if you want any performance out of them, As in good for a daily driver but not a car that gets drivin hard every now and then.

 

KYB is better and i have used them and rate them highly for there price.

 

Very possible to do it yourself. Where abouts are you located ?

 

Des :jamie:

don't know of anywhere in Maroochydore or toowong apart from a Repco shop or AutObahn but the both do massive mark ups.

 

$590 fitted is a joke, I paid less for New low king springs and new KYB shocks fitted.

Try "ultracheapauto" on ebay... they sell AC Delco strut inserts. I've used them a few times now and had no problems whatsover. I have them in my AE92 at the moment and I have trouble picking any difference between mine and a mate's gf's AE92 that has just been fitted with a full set of pedders "comfort gas" struts.

Infinitely cheaper too.

Shoot them an email... they have a shitload of stock so not every model is listed all the time.

I use and recommend Pedders in both my road and rally cars. However, I only go to Pedders in Geebung, as the boys there are solid, and know there stuff.

Tried Ultracheap auto (thanks 7shades), but they didn't have suitable struts.

 

Update on prices:

Pedders Maroochydore - $590 pr fitted; $362 supply only

Sunshine Coast Exhausts, Nambour - $350 pr for Monroe fitted, + possible $88 for bump stops

Repco Maroochydore - $330 pr for Monroe, supply only.

SuperCheap - $249.75 pr for Gabriel, supply only

 

What is the Gabriel product like?

Tried Ultracheap auto (thanks 7shades), but they didn't have suitable struts.

 

Update on prices:

Pedders Maroochydore - $590 pr fitted; $362 supply only

Sunshine Coast Exhausts, Nambour - $350 pr for Monroe fitted, + possible $88 for bump stops

Repco Maroochydore - $330 pr for Monroe, supply only.

SuperCheap - $249.75 pr for Gabriel, supply only

 

What is the Gabriel product like?

 

 

if you want, i can ask a mate of mine, Brad from the twincam.org forums about kyb excel-g's. it'll be supply only but should be reasonable price even with the postage. pm me if you want me to ask, or sign up to twincam and contact him yourself

If it is an SE then it probably has the lowest power engine imaginable. You will probably be fine with Monroe Sports Gas. If you want something a little better, get in contact with Brad at Twincam.info for some KYB Excel-G's. It is an easy job to change the struts yourself. The SE does not have inserts, it is a full replaceable strut.

 

You can use this guide: http://www.rollamods.com/springswap.htm

I actually did it without a sping compressor by removing the strut and spring and everything from the strut top. It is a 2 person job to do it that way because it becomes very hard to line up on your own. I recommend getting the Strut Mate kit for the bump stop and boot when you make the change. My bump stops were absolutely rooted when I changed them. (I changed to King Low Springs too.)

Have you tried Fulcrum Suspensions? They seem to be generally cheaper than most other places, although I do get a motorsport club discount.

 

I would probably steer clear of Gabriel if you want something that would last. Monroe would probably be the lowest I'd go (and I've got those in my Camry road car), KYB are great but a bit more exy. Pedders have a whole range of stuff, some I would personally put in the same basket as Monroe stuff, and some I would rate better than a lot of consumer off-the-shelf stuff. The Pedders struts Redwarf had in his rally car were pretty darn cool.