Bare or Complete Strut Replacements – How to Choose

choosing a strut replacement
replacing a strut with quick struts

Which Strut Replacement Option is Best?

A loaded strut is a complete, bolt-on replacement that can be easily installed at home to restore handling to factory settings. A bare strut reuses the original coil spring so it’s cheaper but will require tool rentals or shop time and usually additional replacement parts.

Strut replacement is generally recommended between 50-100k miles and can vary based on the conditions of miles being traveled. Coil springs usually last longer but can succumb to corrosion and rust if the protective coating is compromised. Deciding how to replace your strut is based on several factors such as cost, condition of other parts, and whether or not you want to tackle the project yourself.

pedders replacement strut

Bare Strut

In a MacPherson strut assembly the strut is basically an oversized shock absorber that runs down the middle of the coil spring and connects to the frame-to-strut mount and steering knuckle and aids the spring in damping vibrations.

monroe strut assembly

Strut Assembly

A loaded strut, or complete strut assembly, is the entire MacPherson strut replacement unit that includes the coil spring, isolator pads, jounce bumper, top strut mount and bearing, and the strut itself.

Symptoms of a Worn Strut

If your vehicle has racked up a lot of miles, or the miles you’ve gone have been rough, you might notice:

  • Increased Bumpiness
  • Cupped Tire Wear
  • Increased Body Roll
  • Dives When Braking
  • Acceleration Squat
  • or Clunking Noise

These can all be signs that your struts or springs are beginning to wear out and needing replacement. When deciding between a bare strut replacement or a complete strut assembly (loaded strut, quick strut) there are a few issues you should consider.

coil spring

Factors for Choosing a Strut Replacement

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Availability

Sometimes your only alternative may be the OE struts. Some year/make/models just aren’t covered by aftermarket manufacturers so the dealership or the junkyard might be your only options.

Bare strut replacements don’t include a new spring or other parts so they are cheaper and easier to manufacture than a strut assembly. Because of this they are easier to find for many vehicles and range from OE replacements to performance upgrades.

Complete strut assemblies can be difficult to find since aftermarket parts manufacturers generally cover more popular makes and models. Shops and DIYers are beginning to see the time-saving and complete replacement features of a loaded strut as very beneficial so coverage is expanding.

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Springs: Replace or Reuse?

The condition of the coil springs is a big factor when deciding how to replace your strut. You can assess the condition of the springs by looking up the ride height specs of your vehicle and if it has changed considerably then the springs are more than likely the cause. Inspect the spring for irregularities or cracks and if ride height is up to spec then the original spring is probably safe to reuse on a new strut.

Sagging springs should be replaced since they can allow your vehicle to bottom out more easily and put increased stress on the strut and can affect wheel alignment and steering. In these instances the strut assembly is an easier solution since it replaces the spring and strut in one application.

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Condition of Other Components

The other components that make up the strut could also be worn and need replacing. One part that is always recommended to be replaced is the top strut mount. This mount and bearing allows the strut to pivot with steering input and can become worn over miles and time. If the bearing binds up then the rod can be forced to rotate inside the piston, causing undue wear.

The jounce bumper and other rubber isolator pads will also wear down eventually and need replacement. So with a bare strut most of these parts are reused but they have their best years behind them. A complete strut replacement will reset the clock on further component replacements.

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Installation Difficulty

The loaded strut is a simple bolt-on installation that can be done in the average garage and only requires wrenches and maybe a socket set.

To replace only the strut is a more difficult project that will require renting spring compressors or having the job done professionally. Compressing a coil spring is not a project to be taken lightly and a botched job could hurt, damage, and provide the ground work for a legendary story later.

* It is universally advised to replace struts in front or rear sets. Replacing a strut on only one side will almost certainly cause problems with vehicle handling.

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Cost

Depending on brand and quality a bare strut is almost always going to be cheaper than a complete assembly. That said once you factor in the price of other components that need replacement and tool rentals or shop time the total cost tends to equal out.

Once you buy a complete strut assembly the only thing you have to worry about spending is the few hours it will take to install on your vehicle and the alignment that you should get after any suspension work.

replacement strut

Hidden Concerns – Cost vs Quality

Coil Spring Diameter

An important factor to think about when replacing a strut is spring diameter. To achieve a similar-to-factory ride from your replacement you want a spring very close to the original dimensions, which means reusing the original spring or finding a very similar replacement.

One of the Garage Gurus at Moog recently explained that a particular year, make, and model could have as many as 15 spring diameter variations based on engine size, trim package, and other factors. Aftermarket parts manufacturers offer the most common applications though some of the cheaper manufacturers will consolidate spring diameters to expand coverage and save money, but this can leave you with different ride height and possibly a stiffer ride. Comparing the spring diameter of the original to the new spring will give you an idea of what kind of ride to expect.

Brand

Full Disclosure: Suspension.com sells Monroe strut assemblies and Pedders struts so we endorse their products, but we also believe them to be a solid option for our customers (or we wouldn’t sell them).

With that out of the way we urge caution when looking at bargain basement strut assemblies. You very much get what you pay for when it comes to struts and strut assemblies, and while a knock-off brand may sell two struts for the price of one you can guess that the price will reflect the quality difference.

If you want restoration, go with an established brand. If you want to gamble on a short term solution you can take a chance with the knock-offs.

complete loaded strut assembly

Conclusion

installing a loaded strut

If you can find a complete strut assembly from a good brand for your vehicle then they can be an easy DIY solution that refreshes your struts with all new components. This a great option for vehicles that have seen a lot of miles or rough usage and possibly need each part of the strut replaced anyway.

Replacing just the strut requires more work and specialty tools as a DIY project, but if the original coil spring isn’t sagging then it can restore handling and ride characteristics to like new settings, though some other components may require replacement at the same time or in the near future. It can be a cheaper fix that will likely restore handling very close to factory settings.

Speaking of Strut Assemblies…

Monroe complete strut assemblies are a great option for replacing a worn strut, coil spring, and other components. The strut rod is very durable and is designed to bend in the event of a major collision instead of break and the coil springs meet or exceed OE specifications. The industry standard Quick-Strut assembly is covered by a lifetime warranty.

Whatever method you choose be sure to get an alignment done after installation.

12 comments
  1. George Mariano
    George Mariano
    October 6, 2019 at 8:50 pm

    Why don’t you make complete strut assemblies for a 2016 Chevy Trax AWD. I have always used Moog suspension components on my vehicles, I am 63 yrs. old and have used your parts because they perform well, are well made and have never failed on me. Please make complete strut assemblies so I can take the AC Delco struts off and put quality struts on my vehicle. The AC Delco struts have bad welds on them and are flexing at the welds. This has caused the paint to peel off at the welds, and the welds only, and the welds are rusting badly. I have wire brushed them, primed and repainted the areas. I showed it to the service tech and all he could say was bad quality control. We went and looked at a 2019 Trax and the same thing was happening. He said he could replace them for a fee, but said same thing would happen in a couple of years. I told him, if I was going to replace the struts I would rather put quality struts on then the crap that he wanted to put back on. Please make strut plus assemblies for this vehicle, at least two so I can buy them from you. Thank you for your time. I think it is only a matter of time before all Trax vehicles will need them also. I have been a mechanic for over 40 yrs so I feel I have good knowledge in this field.

    Reply
    • Josh Daniels
      Josh Daniels • Post Author •
      October 9, 2019 at 2:12 pm

      Hey George,

      We’re actually a dealer of the Moog brand and not the manufacturer, but we’ve sent your suggestion on to Moog directly.

      Moog has a great history of making problem solver parts that fix design flaws in the original equipment. That said, they have to take the business side into account when deciding which parts to pursue. I would imagine the bean counters have a lot of say when it comes to which parts are designed and manufactured. If it’s a consistent problem with the model and they get enough requests they’ll likely R&D a fix.

      Hope you’re able to get what you need George, and good luck.

      Reply
  2. James Barends
    James Barends
    March 19, 2022 at 8:16 am

    I have a different problem. I have a 97 Lincoln Continental with active suspension. I replaced the rear shocks with OEM and the right front strut with Motorcraft OEM replacement. However, I cannot track down a replacement for the Left front. It was fine for a while and Ford does say that with active suspension you can replace single struts. However, the left is slowly getting worse. The left front strut does have a nut holding the shock absorber in the assembly which would allow for the shock itself to be replaced. Can you offer a shock? Do you know who might be able to offer the shock? I picked up a used strut assembly in case and would work with that one.

    I also have a spare right front Motorcraft OEM replacement assembly for the right front, but the shock is riveted in. I have been told by a mechanic it is possible to cut the rivets and pop that active suspension shock out and reuse in the left assembly. Car has sentimental value and I have largely restored it. It is not really an issue at the moment, but rather I am looking to be ready to move forward.

    Reply
    • Josh Daniels
      Josh Daniels • Post Author •
      March 23, 2022 at 9:28 am

      Hey James,

      Sorry to say we have not been able to locate a shock that we feel comfortable suggesting for that application.

      Happening upon a gently used left assembly in a scrap yard somewhere might be an option. Barring that, if you trust your mechanic’s assessment, it sounds like harvesting the shock from the spare right assembly might be your best bet. If you are thinking about DIYing that swap take extreme caution – those shocks are no joke.

      Sounds like quite a project. The things we do for love, right?

      Good luck getting the shock squared away.

      Reply
  3. Kim Ray
    Kim Ray
    April 22, 2022 at 1:02 pm

    I would love to see if you have a complete strut……1998 Cadillac DeVille

    Reply
    • Josh Daniels
      Josh Daniels • Post Author •
      April 25, 2022 at 3:20 pm

      Hey Kim,

      Sorry to say, we do not have a strut assembly for a 1998 Deville.

      If the springs are sagging, affecting the ride height and performance, then you could replace the springs but if the shock is shot or the strut is damaged then you would need to replace those components. If you can not find an OE replacement being manufactured these days then you may have luck finding a gently used strut off of a Deville in a junk yard.

      Hope you’re able to find a strut.

      Reply
  4. Robert rutland
    Robert rutland
    April 23, 2022 at 5:24 am

    Hi, is it possible to change just the shock absorber part of a strut on the rear of a 2003 Ford explorer?

    Reply
    • Josh Daniels
      Josh Daniels • Post Author •
      April 26, 2022 at 7:55 am

      Hey Robert,

      It is possible though it can be a difficult, and dangerous, DIY project requiring a spring compressor which most folks do not have laying around in their garage. If you have a mechanic you trust you can buy a replacement shock and have it installed professionally.

      If you have some other questions about fitment or what shock absorber options are available you can give our customer service folks a call.

      Good luck with the replacement.

      Reply
  5. LostInTransit
    LostInTransit
    March 20, 2023 at 4:05 am

    Just wanted to point out something with a 2020 Transit Connect. We replaced the front struts 2 years ago with the Bilstein B6 struts. Using the factory coil springs that were already installed on the van, the front of the van was lowered 3/4 of an inch. is this normal? not that this is an issue and seems to be working fine. We’re planning on removing the black factory springs and replace them with a set of red powder coated factory springs in order to match the appearance of the new Cobra rear springs.

    Reply
    • Josh Daniels
      Josh Daniels • Post Author •
      March 20, 2023 at 8:36 am

      Hey Lost,

      Not being super familiar with the intricacies of Bilstein struts it is hard to say what is going on, but if the strut is listed as fitting the vehicle then it should provide a similar height to the OE strut (unless otherwise advertised).

      In many cases vans or trucks that are designed with hauling heavy payloads in mind have a raked stance, with the rear of the vehicle sitting higher than the front in anticipation of added weight on the rear. I would not imagine that lowering the front end by 3/4 inch is something that Bilstein would not mention in the product description, but who knows.

      If the original springs were sagging then that could account for the height difference, but it sounds like they were fairly new. Since you are installing new springs soon it would be interesting to hear if that restores the previous height to the front end.

      Good luck with the upgrades!

      Reply
      • LostInTransit
        LostInTransit
        May 26, 2023 at 6:38 pm

        Josh, Updated some of the other post here. But in reference to the upgrade process. yes the 40mm rear lowering springs went on without any issues 2 months ago. As you’ve said, the van being designed for hauling/towing, the rear tires where 101mm away from the fender edge. So no matter what tire combo we used that gap was always the same at the rear. But as I said the front just seem lower because of the 245/40/R19 tires. That’s a 2 finger gap between the tire and fender edge. So we take travel over railroad tracks and speed humps carefully. Since adding the 40mm rear lowering springs, the rear of the van is now lower than the front, but not by much. Most coil springs manufactures only offer 20mm front springs and this would be too much based on our wheel/tire size. However if anyone was to run 16” 17” and 18” wheels/tires the 20/40 set up would be ideal. As I suggested in another post, we’re left with one option and that’s to cut a new set of front coil springs for the van.

        Reply
        • Josh Daniels
          Josh Daniels • Post Author •
          June 2, 2023 at 3:08 pm

          Hey Lost,

          Glad to hear those lowering springs worked out well, but that does sound like a pretty small gap in your wheel well if you’re having to go over any uneven surfaces regularly. Since the front is sitting a little higher be careful taking those tight corners on the track 🙂

          Thanks for sharing the info regarding tire size when lowering and hope your Franken-springs get things squared away!

          Reply

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