I've always thought that the STI factory struts were crappy ones. However, some users have told me that they just don't have enough grease in them from the factory, which often leads to premature failure caused by lack of lubrication - i.e. the infamous "clunk".
I am just curious to see how long the OEM struts may potentially last
depending on various factors.
Background on me: I am replacing my left rear strut with a used one later this week. I decided NOT to switch to coilovers (yet) since this car is my weekend car now and don't plan to auto-x/track this year. Plus, NJ roads are pretty awful even though we pay a $h!t-load on tolls. I also towed a 4x7 utility trailer with a Suzuki GSXR-750 with this car for at least 3,000 miles.
I'm not looking for general "clunking" since that doesn't mean your struts are necessarily broken. I MEAN - you needed to take the damaged one out and replace it with new/used OEM struts, aftermarket struts, or switched to coilovers. If you'd like to contribute, please answer the following questions:
1) Model, year, current mileage.
2) How many miles do/did you have without requiring strut replacement?
3) Did you ever take apart your struts to repack the grease? How often did you do this?
4) Stock springs, or aftermarket? If so, which ones?
5) Do you auto-x, rally, track, HPDE, or do any other competitive driving? How many events have you done with this car?
6) Did you ever tow anything with your car? How many approx. miles?
Thanks, guys. This will help me determine my long-term solution. For now, I am going to replace the one strut, ride on RCE Yellows, and save up some money to see where I go from here. With 43k miles, I'm sure the other struts may start to crap out as well - though I repacked them last week.
I am just curious to see how long the OEM struts may potentially last
depending on various factors.
Background on me: I am replacing my left rear strut with a used one later this week. I decided NOT to switch to coilovers (yet) since this car is my weekend car now and don't plan to auto-x/track this year. Plus, NJ roads are pretty awful even though we pay a $h!t-load on tolls. I also towed a 4x7 utility trailer with a Suzuki GSXR-750 with this car for at least 3,000 miles.
I'm not looking for general "clunking" since that doesn't mean your struts are necessarily broken. I MEAN - you needed to take the damaged one out and replace it with new/used OEM struts, aftermarket struts, or switched to coilovers. If you'd like to contribute, please answer the following questions:
1) Model, year, current mileage.
2) How many miles do/did you have without requiring strut replacement?
3) Did you ever take apart your struts to repack the grease? How often did you do this?
4) Stock springs, or aftermarket? If so, which ones?
5) Do you auto-x, rally, track, HPDE, or do any other competitive driving? How many events have you done with this car?
6) Did you ever tow anything with your car? How many approx. miles?
Thanks, guys. This will help me determine my long-term solution. For now, I am going to replace the one strut, ride on RCE Yellows, and save up some money to see where I go from here. With 43k miles, I'm sure the other struts may start to crap out as well - though I repacked them last week.
