LancerOfOZ, there are 2 ways to tell when you need new struts. 1, you will notice that you keep bouncing for too long after a bump. 2, you will see some oil or something leaking from the strut (you will remove the wheel and look to see if that's what is causing the bouncing)

 

One test (other than what urban said) - put all your weight on one corner of the car. When you release, see how many times the car bounces. If it just bounces once, you're good. If it bounces a few times, blown shock.

 

^ Good one

 

Thanks a ton guys I will try the pushing on one side of the car today, and I will inspect the struts next week when the new wheels come in. can anyone touch on the remaining questions?

What will happen if I ride on dead struts too long?
Are there any struts that will hold up with a lower ride (about 1.5")?

I see these from KYB
Years Notes Front Rear
2002-04 Sedan & Coupe 333382 341342

Has anyone tried them out, and can they old the lower ride?

Thanks again!

 

You could crack your windshield. Otherwise, you might get sore from the bumps, but I haven't heard much else that comes from riding on blown shocks.

The KYB are the only aftermarket option. I'm sure they'll be fine on a lowered ride - that's why aftermarket shocks exist.

 

I think if you drive with blown shocks for too long, you start to rattle things loose on the car. I couldn't afford new shocks when I was driving my Trans Am, and after a year everything was breaking, from the rear hatch to the pop-up headlights to electrical connections.

 

How much are the KYB struts?? Ive had my car lowered for almost 2 years with the stockers, they aren't blown yet but now that I have some $$ I would like to get them.

 

could you pmthe link to where you got the nex coilovers as i need new struts asap thanks

 

^rennenmotors.com won't order any for anybody until january 9th or so.

 

I just ordered those for the rear of my car (#341342) since I broke a shock on something I hit in the road. They definitely fit the 2002-2003 Lancer and are a stock replacement according to KYB, not really a performance upgrade.

 

guys this is kinda' an old thread but i just need something better than stock struts. i push my car pretty hard and the stock ones are KYB, hence the avialability of them. Now what I would really go for is if TOKICO made stuts and shocks for the 02-03 OZ's, thay are awesome on my friends H car.

 

A rep from Tokiko told me they would have shocks for our car by December... of 2004!!! So much for that, I haven't seen anything of them since. Sorry, your best bet still seems to be a Tein kit. Sucks too, because the stock shocks I bought from someone else in trade for my SS kit are starting to leak, and stock shocks are like $300/pair or something.