Not a whole lot in search here.. I swap tires to autocross.. so the Nitto's get rotated several times a year... Been since Oct for the autocross.. not a lot of miles...

She did just roll over 100k miles.

Noticed they're starting to cup (not easy to see in the picture).. Was zero cupping last rotation.. From what I've read, sounds like new struts are needed. How does one test a strut?

 

If your roads in your part of Illinois were anything like where I was in Illinois (or any northern location that experiences moisture on the road with freezing at night and thawing during the day), then 100k miles is more than about time for suspension work.

 

I agree with Nuke

 

Had a right front strut start leaking at 31k miles. Replaced all with Konis, at 100k miles you are definately due.

 

American Muscle's got KYB's for $82 a pop Toyico's for $120 and Konis for $140.. I know nothing about any of these... Don't want to spend more than the Konis.. what's the best bang for the buck?

 

I Had 5k miles on mine when I put the Koni Sports and Steeda Comp Springs. I like the Koni's a lot! Might call Sam Strano, I think he is still a sponsor. He will talk to you about what you need.

 

I went with the Koni STR.Ts and I love them

 

I agree that 100K is past service replacement for struts and shocks especially if your roads are anything like the pot hole riddled ones here in NY metro area. From that picture though I only see some cupping on inner edge even if you replace with stock ride height components make sure you get a good wheel alignment.

 

Konis hands down!
KYBs belong on an old Cadillac so please, don't go that route.
Tokicos are soso IMO, slightly better than stock...

Oh and get an alignment, it's part of the maintenance.

 

On average 60-70k miles is usually when struts start to weaken. There is no real definitive milage that they need to be replaced. If you bounce each corner of the car, one at a time, it should bounce one or two times after you stop. If it bounces more then that, then the shock/strut is probably on its way out. If you see any wetness around the piston going into the shock/strut, then it is leaking and is bad.

For a daily driver I like Monroe Sensitrac's. Have them in my wifey's mustang and have had no issues with it. Rides nice and smooth. If your racing, or like to corner hard, then a performance shock/strut is probably better suited for you. rockauto.com has KYB GR-2/Excel-G's for $54 & KYB AGX's for $107.

With that said, cupping could also be due to low tire pressure.

Good luck...