Stupid to buy used struts?

[joe shmoo]

i have used struts that only did 39k easy street driving from previous owner that i'll sell at reasonable cost. but shipping to TX is probably going to be expensive.

[Topless]

Bounce test does not work and struts with more than 100k mile are totally shot. I thought mine were worn but serviceable until I went with PSS9s at 96k miles and got the old ones off the car. Zero dampening left in all but one. My brothers struts were nearly falling apart at 85k.

Used struts with good dampening might be worth a few bucks but a M030 kit is only about $1100 for fresh, all new sport-tuned suspension. If I were taking the time and effort to change them I would go M030 for sure.

[tanque55]

From my point of view I'd go new. The cost of the struts isn't that high and if you buy used you have to think they were changed for a reason.

[itsnotanova]

What's the paint codes on your struts and springs?

[thstone]

Same for me. When I replaced the original struts at ~100K mi with PSS9's they seemed to be working ok and passed the bounce test but after removal I found that I could push the shaft in and out by hand - they were toast!

As for buying used, if you can find some low mileage struts on the cheap, you might be able to get by. Its certainly not stupid, sometimes financially you have to do what you have to do.

[Viper10000]

I found these and am thinking about trying them out. My 2002 base is pushing 140,000 miles. My bump stops are rotted away and I think the upper bearings are shot. Going to replace those items first and maybe use these replacement inserts later. I see this post is a little old but figured I'd share this anyway.


Porsche 996 Boxster Strut Insert Shock Absorber: Steering and Suspension &amp Shock Absorbers and Struts

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Viper10000

I found these and am thinking about trying them out. My 2002 base is pushing 140,000 miles. My bump stops are rotted away and I think the upper bearings are shot. Going to replace those items first and maybe use these replacement inserts later. I see this post is a little old but figured I'd share this anyway.

Porsche 996 Boxster Strut Insert Shock Absorber: Steering and Suspension &amp Shock Absorbers and Struts

At 140K miles on the original shocks, they are ready for replacement.

Replacing the insert in a strut is common for some other cars and some older Porsche's. Nothing at all wrong there. Results and life depends entirely upon the quality of the insert. Vertex sells pretty good parts, so this would probably work quite well for a daily street driven car.

[EJ-Fresno]

Originally Posted by thstone

At 140K miles on the original shocks, they are ready for replacement.

Replacing the insert in a strut is common for some other cars and some older Porsche's. Nothing at all wrong there. Results and life depends entirely upon the quality of the insert. Vertex sells pretty good parts, so this would probably work quite well for a daily street driven car.

How difficult is it to replace the insert? Is it doable without a lift?
My 03 is turning 125K miles, so I am due for a struts job...
Thanks!