05-12-2005, 08:04 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 7,243
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Rear Struts. Replace both?
Thought I had a bent up sub frame so I took my car to a body shop.
The body shop owner put the car on a new laser-based four wheel alignment machine and determined that a front control arm was bent (explaining why it pulled to the right a bit) and that a rear strut was bent and needed replacement, which is causing the back wheels to be
My question is this: Do I have to replace both rear struts at the same time, or can I simply replace the one that is bent?
The car is a 1997 and I am not sure if the struts have ever been replaced.
Background info: I bought this car 4th hand and it was abused before I got it... I've not been doing ANY curb surfing or wrecked the car since it was in my possession. Just thought I'd add this to keep the non-question-related posting to a minimum!
Last edited by RandallNeighbour; 05-12-2005 at 08:07 AM.
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05-12-2005, 08:40 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 8,083
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As long as you are under there, I would do the second strut. The incremental costs will be minimal and then you will have the wheels aligned and things will be all set.
If you don't then when you do the next strut, you need to do the alignment again.
IMHO!
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05-12-2005, 09:47 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 141
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To me all suspension work should be paired up. Just like you would never change one tire, I would never change one suspension component.
Mike
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05-12-2005, 10:38 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 7,243
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Two more questions.
1. How do I know if my 97 has a sport suspension or not? Is there a code somewhere that shows it?
2. Vertex Auto has Bilstein struts (heavy duty, not sport) for the rear for $195.00 anyone know where I can get a better deal?
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05-12-2005, 10:50 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 8,083
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Your dealer can give you the build codes. All he needs is your VIN#.
If it were me, I would stick with OEM unless you replace all four.
IMHO!
Good luck!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour
Two more questions.
1. How do I know if my 97 has a sport suspension or not? Is there a code somewhere that shows it?
2. Vertex Auto has Bilstein struts (heavy duty, not sport) for the rear for $195.00 anyone know where I can get a better deal?
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05-12-2005, 11:44 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 251
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour
Background info: I bought this car 4th hand and it was abused before I got it... I've not been doing ANY curb surfing or wrecked the car since it was in my possession. Just thought I'd add this to keep the non-question-related posting to a minimum!
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Maybe if you didn't trash your car and run it into curbs, you wouldn't need new struts!!!
Just kidding 
I would go with replacing the pair together, for reasons mentioned above -- incremental cost and pairing everything from side to side.
For my money, the Boxster is already the perfect combination of handling and ride quality -- I wouldn't mess with that by going aftermarket.
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05-12-2005, 12:00 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 8,083
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"For my money, the Boxster is already the perfect combination of handling and ride quality -- I wouldn't mess with that by going aftermarket."
Amen!
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05-12-2005, 12:22 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 240
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Option code info........
I was recently looking up the same info regarding options on my '98, and I believe the option codes are located when you open the front hood at the top.....There are a bunch of 3 digit codes up there, and I believe the 030 number is the sport suspension designation....Somebody else might want to chime in to confirm this as I am a bit new at all this still 
Lou
__________________
1998 Guards Red Black/Black 5 sp.
Work done '06 :Replaced bad hose and clamps from reservoir tank
oil change and filter
replaced seals on both cam covers
brakes bled and refilled
Replaced bent rear right lower control arm
Front air dams and 3 underbody panels replaced
Halogen headlamps replaced
Last edited by bigislandboxster; 05-17-2005 at 06:14 PM.
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05-12-2005, 12:38 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 401
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If your front control arms are bent, chances are that the front struts are on their way out too (from curb hopping or otherwise).
I would suggest you replace all 4 struts. Even if the front ones are ok, they're getting a bit old since your car is a '97. Pairing them up with brand new rears could make the handling funky.
BTW, Bilstein makes the original Boxster struts.
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05-12-2005, 03:53 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 251
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Lux
BTW, Bilstein makes the original Boxster struts.
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All the more reason to stick with stock. Bilstein is a quality company, and I'm sure if they built something specifically for the Boxster, it's more custom-tuned than the already great products they have on the aftermarket.
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