Originally posted by MrRoarke865:

Let me clarify one thing: You said I'd be fine keeping my old springs, right? I wasn't sure if they wore out like struts do.



Jed



Springs can get "fatigued" as they get older (i.e. the metal starts to weaken due to continuous flexing). Fatigued springs can break. That's pretty rare, though. So I think the usual advice is to carefully inspect the springs when you are replacing the struts. If any of them are rusty, cracked, or severely sagged, replace them all. If they look undamaged, keep using them.

As for the struts: if you want to maintain the exact same ride and handling characteristics as a stock SVT, you'll have to get a strut with the same specs as stock. In other words, you will need a strut with the same valving, so it will have the same compression dampening and the same rebound dampening (dampening is the resistance to movement provided by the strut) as stock. Look on this site and on strut manufacturers sites, etc. to find a strut with the dampening specs you want.

If you are short on cash, you will probably find inexpensive struts at Autozone or Kragen (for example, Monroes). I haven't heard of any problems with Monroes. If the Monroes have the dampening specs you want, get 'em. You can buy much more expensive struts, but unless you are going for some special non-stock handling charactersitics, it's highly questionable as to whether they are worth the money.