Quick struts - ebay question

So, SWMBOs 05 T&C is aparantly in need of the struts being replaced soon.

I see Monroe Quick struts for ~$140 per side http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monroe-171572L-171572R-01-07-Chrysler-Mini-Van-Shocks-Struts-FRONT-Pair-Set-/350739617480?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a9b5d6c8&vxp=mtr and also several off brand kits for substantially less

ie:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Auto-Complete-Suspension-Strut-Assembly-SA11008RX-/400368102944?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5d37cc6e20&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-Chrysler-Dodge-Voyager-Caravan-Front-Quick-Struts-Complete-PAIR-/150674817721?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2314eb42b9&vxp=mtr

and cheaper model of Monroe? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monroe-Front-Pair-Complete-Strut-Right-Left-Dodge-Caravan-Voyager-/181042198433?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a26f4b7a1&vxp=mtr

Educate me GRM... Van is at 145,000 and I just did tie rods ends that were bad.

I don't know about the Ebay stuff, but how about Rock Auto. They have them for $60 a side for the economy struts and $120 a side for the Monroe. Add in the Rock Auto discount and you might be money ahead.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/advertiser-playground/rockauto-discount-code-expires-05202013/60692/page1/

Look for Moog if available, similar quality to Monroe but for less.

Next question.....should I get one of these and just buy the bare namebrand strut?

That strut tool is very cumbersome. I've had better luck with the cheaper one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-3980.html

I'd say it depends on how much your time is worth to you. I get the impression the pre-assembled versions are more for shops where the time saved out weighs the additional cost. Plus, you're getting new upper strut mounts which are often due for replacement as well.

trucke wrote: That strut tool is very cumbersome. I've had better luck with the cheaper one. http://www.harborfreight.com/macpherson-strut-spring-compressor-set-3980.html

Yeah, avoid those big cumbersome spring compressors. Unless you work on truck, they are too big to be usefull.

That strut tool from harbor freight is good if you don't plan on doing a lot of strut work. My set lasted for two complete strut change (4 corners). On the third one, one of the screws stripped. I found a set working on the same principal, but with an acme screw. It only cost 10$ more, and its at its forth set of coils.

The other thing is to check the springs before you order. It may be that a strut/spring unit may be the better option. The last two sets of struts that I did I found that on both cars the last 1/2 to 3/4 of one of the coils had cracked off. On my car I just used a spacer to get the ride height equal side-to-side, on the other car I just put it back together and the ride height was not any different. That car was traded in less then a year later as I told the owner of some possible rust issues I found when doing the struts!