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Do truck struts need to be replaced in pairs?

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June 07, 2018, 11:49 AM
gpbst3
Do truck struts need to be replaced in pairs?
Just had the tires rotated on my 2014 Tundra with 47k miles. Shop said my front strut is leaking. Little disappointed it needs replaced this soon but what can you do.

I'm out of the factory warranty but purchased the extended so I'm covered.

I can guarantee the dealer will only replace the one strut. Are there any issues with only replacing one?


June 07, 2018, 11:56 AM
bigdeal
Although parts can certainly fail at any time, I too am shocked a strut on that truck would require replacement at only 47k. Think I might look for a second opinion before I authorized any parts swapping.


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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
June 07, 2018, 11:56 AM
arfmel
I predict that if they weren’t doing it under warranty they would insist that the struts be replaced in pairs.
June 07, 2018, 11:59 AM
PowerSurge
quote:
Originally posted by gpbst3:
Just had the tires rotated on my 2014 Tundra with 47k miles. Shop said my front strut is leaking. Little disappointed it needs replaced this soon but what can you do.

I'm out of the factory warranty but purchased the extended so I'm covered.

I can guarantee the dealer will only replace the one strut. Are there any issues with only replacing one?


It should be ok just replacing one with that mileage. Did you actually look yourself and verify that its leaking. Dealerships never lie, ya know. Smile


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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1
June 07, 2018, 12:05 PM
dusty3030
If it has the TRD Bilsteins I'd make damn sure that I got the exact OE replacement.

Did they show you the leak they saw? A little weeping is normal.
June 07, 2018, 12:07 PM
egregore
quote:
Shop said my front strut is leaking.

quote:
I can guarantee the dealer will only replace the one strut.

Was this at the dealer, or another repair shop?

If there were a 1 in front of that 47K, I'd recommend those in pairs. With that low an age/mileage, and if the other one is definitely OK, there should be no problem. I question how much it is actually leaking. A little bit of seepage around the piston rod doesn't hurt anything and is not indicative of failure. If it is running down the tube and pooling in the lower spring seat, that is obviously a different matter.
June 07, 2018, 12:24 PM
Jelly
quote:
Are there any issues with only replacing one?
No, I've done it a few times. Including on a 2006 Tundra. When they leak they usually show it well.
June 07, 2018, 01:34 PM
Ronin101
I would....if you have oem I would splurge on a really nice set. My 2005 was due for a third set at 92,000 miles. my second set were kyb's and they didn't hold up.
June 07, 2018, 04:18 PM
.38supersig
I always replace them in pairs. My OCD kicks in all the time. They have to take half the parts loose when replacing one or both anyway, so labor should be cheaper (unless you are doing it yourself).

The struts do more than stiffen your ride over bumps. Jounce, rebound, yaw dampening, camber curves, etc... are all part of of your suspension architecture. Would be a plus to get the same OEM struts.

Wear in the internal valving of the struts themselves will give different rates over time.

Granted, I haven't seen the Nurburgring on the way to work...




June 07, 2018, 04:45 PM
gpbst3
This was a 3rd party shop who said the strut needed replaced. I have the dealer warranty so I'll have them verify the leak. I think I'm only going to get what needs fixed under warranty. Not going to proactively replace the other


June 07, 2018, 06:47 PM
comet24
This should be fairly easy to verify. While I like replacing shocks/struts in pairs I don't think it's needed in your case.


_____________________________________

Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. Jack Kerouac
June 07, 2018, 09:09 PM
hrcjon
There is no issue with doing them individually. And if its leaking (easy to verify) just get it replaced.


“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.”
June 07, 2018, 09:12 PM
T-Boy
Personally, I always replace the entire set of dampers, but I am very particular about these things. I would NEVER replace only one damper so it would always be at least the axle pair. But that is a sub par solution. Check to see if you have the Bilsteins..if yes, you probably have another problem that damaged the damper. Bilsteins don't fail....they last the lifetime of the vehicle.


T-Boy
June 07, 2018, 09:13 PM
DoctorSolo
I like to keep a vehicle balanced.

A damper with 50K on one side will certainly have diminished performance relative to a new one. Those things take a beating, that's one of their jobs.

sudden failure at 20k I might say OK just do that one, but past 50k I would do them all. Or at least the pair.
June 07, 2018, 09:16 PM
tatortodd
I've always done shocks/struts in pairs. They are a wear item no matter whose brand name is stamped on the side.



Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.