I'm trying to decide if I should put (4) new struts in my '97 Bonneville. Mileage is 108,000 and car is on the road 13 years.

I do plan on keeping this car because they are known to be long lived.

What's holding me back is the old adage: "if it ain't broke don't fix it"

Should I change the (4) struts now or wait until (1) fails?

Thanks for any opinions you might have

We have over 200k miles on Cindys '00 SSEi and we still have the OEM up front but we had to change the back air shocks at about 180k miles.

ROD

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2000 SSEI (SOLD)
rods789 at comcast.net
PB 14.474 @ 96.248 PB 60' 2.168
180 therm AEM DRYFLOW Air Filters
3.33 pulley 3" cat back exhaust
custom solid front motor mount
custom 6" (BIG) intake
__WCBF '06, '07, '08, '11 survivor__

You will get a much better ride if you change them out...like new.

That being said, I have 166k on my originals. I want to change them out BAD, the ride quality is nothing short of sloppy. But, they still work technically and the ass end of my car doesn't sag, so I guess it just depends on what your standards are.
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-Dan
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2012 Nissan Maxima SV Premium • Super Black • Charcoal • VQ35DE • Bose • Factory HID • 5000k LED Int/Ext
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__I n n o v a t i o n__T h a t __E x c i t e s

If you want them changed, change them. You will start to know when it is time. I have 160k on the car, which is 17 years old, and I am pretty sure they are the originals, and they are DONE! But I haven't had the money to get new ones.

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

60k miles. At 60k miles they had the car diving at any application of the brakes. And, a full tank of gas would make the rear end slow to come back up over large bumps. 4 new struts made things much better. I probably should have replaced springs as well, but that wasn't in the budget. The AirLift kit in the rear has helped a lot.

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

Most strut manufacturers claim 50k, but I have 162k on my originals (2003), and they seem fine, but I also want to change them out. I did replace the rear shocks at 155k, and they improved rear ride. If you want to change them, do it.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

My originals had 266K. Changing them made a big difference, although not many would have changed them on a car with that many miles. With 108K, it would definitely make sense to change them, for your own comfort and enjoyment.... and if you do decide to want to sell the car, it won't ride like an old stagecoach like mine did easier to sell it with new struts for sure.

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- Rachael

177K on my 93 when it was wrecked with the original struts. Still rode and handled pretty good for having 16 year old struts, rear end didn't sag or anything.

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*Chris*

15 Nissan Altima 2.5SL/2004 Honda Shadow 750 Aero
Previous, 07 GP SE, 06 GP GXP, 97 SSE 40th, 96 LeSabre Custom, 93 SLE, 90 LeSabre Custom

I have 180,100 miles and 12 years. I can not say for sure, but I think mine are still originals. They have a little bounce when the car is loaded down, but when it's just me and a passenger, they feel very good yet. I'm not going to be changing them anytime soon.

125,000 miles, changed a couple weeks ago.

Both front and rear OEM struts/shocks on my car were completely DEAD. Before that the car rode satisfactorily, but you realize just how much you're missing out after you change them. Less squat and nosedive on acceleration/braking, and flatter corning. Funny thing is, the car didn't really bounce or wander much before I did them.

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Jerry /// Past: 95 SSEi (June 2010 COTM) -- 04 GXP (July 2011 COTM)
91 Honda Civic Wagon DX 2WD (fuelly) -- 208,000km -- 92hp -- Autocross Warrior
09 Lexus LS460 AWD -- 94,000km -- Daily Driver
09 White Hot G8 GT -- 155,000km (fuelly) -- LS3 Cam -- GM LS3 CNC Ported Heads -- Kooks 1 3/4" Long Tube Headers -- Solo Catback Midsection -- Hooker Maxflow Mufflers -- Pat G Tune -- Rotofab Intake -- Tein S-Tech Springs -- GXP FE3 Dampers -- BMR Subframe Cradle Inserts -- BMR Subframe Connectors -- Forgestar F14 Gold 18x9 +40 -- Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/45/18 -- Maverick Man Carbon Fiber Spoiler

Thanks for all the replies. I'd like to do the job inexpensively.

Found this seller on e-bay, he has 100% positive feedback. Not sure though if this is worth taking a chance on. He will combine shipping on all (4) as well.

$170 shipped to my door.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-99-Le ... ccessories


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-99-Le ... ccessories

Double-check the part numbers before ordering. Other than that, good score!

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.