Suspension parts are deteriorating.

[mckinlay]

I am looking for some input and opinions.  I have a 2000 Base Boxster with 135,000 miles.  I recently did  the front bearings and noted that the "rubber" parts were toast.  The bumpstop is crumbling and the bellows is brittle and cracking.  The struts appear fine with no sign of leaks and the car drives/rides beautifully.  I don't track it but I do drive it "with spirit".  It handles well with no control issues.  It has the standard USA suspension although it does have the ROW M030 Sway bars.  They were upgraded last year when I had to replace the swaybar bushings and drop links.  My question is how much and what should I replace?

 

1) Don't change anything since it is driving fine?

2) Only replace the deteriorating parts (bump stop, bellows, etc)?

3) Go ahead and replace the factory struts since I will have them out anyway and they have 135,000 miles on them?

4) Go ahead and upgrade the rest of the suspension to the ROW M030 configuration?  Is there any real benefit to this in a daily driver that isn't tracked?

 

Any other thoughts or suggestions?  I have no problems doing any of the above work.  I would just like some input from people with more suspension experience than me.

 

Thanks.

[JFP in PA]

I am looking for some input and opinions.  I have a 2000 Base Boxster with 135,000 miles.  I recently did  the front bearings and noted that the "rubber" parts were toast.  The bumpstop is crumbling and the bellows is brittle and cracking.  The struts appear fine with no sign of leaks and the car drives/rides beautifully.  I don't track it but I do drive it "with spirit".  It handles well with no control issues.  It has the standard USA suspension although it does have the ROW M030 Sway bars.  They were upgraded last year when I had to replace the swaybar bushings and drop links.  My question is how much and what should I replace?

 

1) Don't change anything since it is driving fine?

2) Only replace the deteriorating parts (bump stop, bellows, etc)?

3) Go ahead and replace the factory struts since I will have them out anyway and they have 135,000 miles on them?

4) Go ahead and upgrade the rest of the suspension to the ROW M030 configuration?  Is there any real benefit to this in a daily driver that isn't tracked?

 

Any other thoughts or suggestions?  I have no problems doing any of the above work.  I would just like some input from people with more suspension experience than me.

 

Thanks.

 

To get at the stops and bellow, you are going to need to remove and disassemble the strut, and with those miles, it would be a good time for new ones.

 

The M030 units will lower the car slightly, and give it a firmer ride as well as improve the handling somewhat.  Just adding new struts in place of your worn units will also firm up and improve the handling as well, but not to the level of the M030.  So it would come down to a question of do you really need the extra firmness and handling at as somewhat higher price for the parts.  By far, most of my customers tend to stay with the non M030 struts, but it is a matter of personal choice.

[mckinlay]

Thank you very much.  Pretty much the way I was leaning.  Just needed a little shove from someone with more experience.