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struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Jul 28, 2008, 1:05 PM
Post #1 of 10
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struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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I was just told by a tire dealer that a strut on my Highlander was "leaking." I have experienced no symptoms of strut dysfunction.
If true, is this expected "wear and tear?" Should I take it to a dealer for inspection?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 29, 2008, 12:15 AM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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Is this just some oil staining on the strut? Struts are a shock dampening item, part of suspension and may need replacement along the life of a vehicle. It should be known that it's safe and that any oil staining is in fact from the strut itself. An alignment or front end shop should be able to determine the need to replace it now or if you can wait. I can't from here. Best to replace these in pairs if needed,
T
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Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Jul 29, 2008, 6:25 PM
Post #3 of 10
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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The thing about a shock or strut wearing out is they wear out gradually. Most drivers won't notice much of a performance diffrence until there is noise or serious tire wear. Most stuts are good for 80-100 thousand miles. Before then replacement typically on a as needed basis due to damage or fluid leakage. If you are over 100 thousand miles you will likely feel a diffrence when you do have them replaced. Like Tom said, totally safe to drive even if the stuts are worn or leaking a bit of fluid.
Jeff
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
rogerandot@verizon.net
Apr 24, 2009, 7:32 PM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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Last Friday, I had new tires put on my 2003 Toyota Highlander at the dealer. Five days later, I noticed a fluid leak - hydraulic fluid, I believe. I took it back to the dealer and was told I needed new rear struts. I drive my car gently, and it only had 44K miles on it. I am suspicious that it is not a coincidence that a fluid leak and strut problem developed days after the tire installation. I'm also suspicious of the $900+ repair cost. Are my suspicions unfounded?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 24, 2009, 10:25 PM
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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Where are you noticing this fluid leak? It matters. Strut may be the leak and really shouldn't drip to ground if so.
Low easy miles or not it could happen. Unscrupulous folks could spray oil to make a scare but I have better faith in folks than that type crap. If that was the case it would clean off and not return and fell fine when driving??
T
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Apr 25, 2009, 3:17 AM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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It did feel fine while driving. The fluid leak was near the right back tire. My husband slid underneath the car and said it looked like something had sprayed out, freshly. I hadn't at that point been to the dealer for 5 days, so I'm pretty sure nothing was sprayed on, and that the spray was a result of some sort of leak. Given the age/low mileage of the vehicle, and the speed with which this problem followed on the heels of new tire installation, I was wondering if there was a cause and effect there.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 25, 2009, 4:36 AM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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You really need to know what sprayed out and from where - for safety sake.
Is the liquid water soluable? Things that might be back there include:
A rear heater?? Antifreeze and washes off with plain water)
Brake fluid (washes off with plain water)
Strut oils would likely be an oil product
Gear oil from axle parts
Does this have a rear wiper/washer? Could be that too.
***********
Most parts that could leak a fluid are out of harms way from a moving wheel/tire and just in hoisting somthing might have been touched - you need to know what it is/was no matter what.
It's possible a strut just couldn't take it and showed up right then from just being hoisted. It shouldn't of course but unless you can find something done on purpose (unlikely IMHO) it probably can just be chauked up to bad luck,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 25, 2009, 4:37 AM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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Not trying to defend anyone here but the coincidence you refer to could actually have been triggered by lifting the truck off the ground which would have fully extended the struts into a position they don't normally ride in and sometimes that will push the seals through some bad portions of the pistons and tear them which will trigger the leak.
As the other person stated, the struts gradually lose their ability to control suspension movement over time and replacing them will definitely benefit your new tire investment. Most of the aftermarket replacements are actually higher quality that the OEM units anyway.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Apr 25, 2009, 5:34 AM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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I was told by the dealer that the fluid wasn't brake fluid, but a "hydraulic" fluid. Before the trip to the dealer, though, the brake fluid was low.
My last car was a Honda Accord. I had it 13 years, 95K miles, and kept up with routine maintenance. It never needed a major repair job. It it looked great when I sold it because the A/C system needed a complete replacement.
Love driving my Highlander, but I won't be buying another one if it keeps costing me big $.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 25, 2009, 6:15 AM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: struts on 2003 Toyota Highlander 4 WD Limited
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Hammer just made a great point - could be that the easy use this has had, has never had struts at their extremes and seals got crusty there and just gave out from hoisting it. There realy is no blame for something like that - stuff happens.
New rear struts will vary in costs. Check you own parts outlets for the various grades if they are in fact the trouble. Best in pairs and it does mean it will need an alignment. If you aren't happy with a dealer that as some independant shops.
Dealers aren't automatically the best shops or not - it's still a one by one thing and the people you are dealing with,
T
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