The left front strut is bent on my 1991 Accord -- the camber is 2.9 degrees off.

I'm wondering how much easier it is to use a Gabriel Ready Mount/Shock/Strut ($130 from autozone) that includes a new spring already installed in the assembly.

Or borrow a spring compressor and just get two of the $55 struts and re-use the existing springs.

Do springs get worn out?

The job certainly looks easier with the springs already installed -- not sure if it looks $150 easier however.

I've just replaced a cracked rear beam and I'll bet the pothole I hit that cracked the rear beam also bent the front strut!

 

it's definitely easier to install an already assembled strut/spring combo but...

if you go the strut/spring combo with you be replacing just the bent corner? and if you go just the strut and re-use the springs you'll replace both fronts? If those are your only options due to cost you should replace both front struts and re-use the springs.

Personally I'd just replace the struts and save money, it's not hard re-using the springs, just takes some extra time.

 

If I use new parts I'll replace both sides.

If $$ are a huge issue I'll pull the left-side strut off the parts Accord and just use that temporarily.

 

If the cash comes down to only doing one side, I'd replace just your struts on both sides. I don't know if you still have stock struts from 1991. If you do, chances are they're probably blown or near blown, where as your springs are most likely fine. Just my .02

 

I wondered about whether 20-year old springs get worn out?

It sounds like you're saying unless the spring is cracked also it's probably fine to re-use. In that case I agree. I'll borrow a spring compressor and just get new struts.

 

Get new struts and re-use the spring.

 

This one I know from a previous car's experience. Unless you can see some visible damage such as cracks or bends in the spring, or excessive compression, I would reuse it, but if I have doubts or the spring is really old, I'd compression-test it. I did so with my previous Honda. Just had to replace one cause it had given out and it was a bit bent... I had a friend help me test the compression force on it, and we found much to our displeasure that was not leveled with the other one, on the same part of the car. Cant recall numbers, but I can tell you it was WAY less.

 

Honda front springs don't tend to sag even when they're old, rears will sometimes. Normally if they're bad the top coil will be broken, otherwise they're fine.

Personally I'd just replace the shocks with a good aftermarket shock (KYB GR-2s/Excel-Gs are a great OEM replacement shock)

 

Well from reading your other thread, you hit the pothole pretty hard to crack the rear beam and bent the front strut. Just for piece of mind, replace the spring also. If you go with Gabriel brand, expect to last no more than 3 years, if you are lucky. I would spend $35 more on each side to go with KYB GR2 OEM replacement. These struts are a little improved over the OEM. I would replace the springs or go to the junk yard and get a pair from a good car. If not reuse the old springs but inspect them real good. If you can replace the rear beam then you could do the struts using the coil compressor.
Take pics and post to share.

 

i havent heard of bending struts usally its a control arm or some arm that usally bends... But if you want monroe or KYB are good... Just replace the strut if the spring isnt broken most times there still good, even on old vehicals

 

Be VERY carefull when using a spring compressor. In my Auto Tech class we were removing springs and out of no where, a guy who was doing everything right, was removing the bolt on top of the strut and the entire compressor assembly blew apart, sent the strut one way, the bolt the other and put a clean 1" tear in his pants near an area where you really don't want any damage done. If your friend has a wall mounted compressor that'd be your best bet. The hand held ones are sketchy unless you have a brand new one that's not harbor freight.

Just my experience

 

+1 for the KYB brand struts. I just installed them on my '91 Wagon and am very happy with the ride. I did just struts in the front but strut/spring combos in the rear. Mine had been lowered by cutting the springs. I was able to find used front springs but not the rears. When replacing struts, pay attention to how the lower strut mount is in relation to the upper if you don't have a manual to show you how to index them. It will make installation easier and the recomendation is to torque everything with weight on the suspension. Like others have said, it's a little more time but still a simple job.

 

Good info here. My rear tires are wearing unevenly. I tow a lot with my Accord, so I figure that with 280k miles, its probably time to replace my rear struts. I have no driveability issues, nor bouncing, but due to the tire cupping, I figure that I might as well replace the struts. I will reuse the springs. I lowered the front of my car, so the sagging rear is okay with me.

 

assemblies are the way to go. i just had all 4 replaced on mine and the ride quality is ****. i also got 4 new michelins as well so that helps. it depends on what your investment in the car is. i'm trying to drive mine til the motor dies and then replace it and keep on truckin'. so i've spent a little more when things like that have come up because i'm planning on keeping it as long as possible.