2019 83,000 miles.. wtf bad struts???

I have my wheel pulling to the right and both my front tires with uneven wear (inside lower than outside). Went in for an alignment and they said that I needed new struts. This is my 3rd Tacoma and I’ve never had to replace the front struts. This is the 2019 TRD and has 83,000k miles in it. Isn’t that too f’ing soon, especially since nothing else has gone bad yet?
How can I tell if the struts are bad? This is a newer company that bought out a long time established store.

 

Push down on each corner of the hood to bounce the truck. Good struts should dampen the bounce quickly, whereas worn ones will let the truck keep bouncing up and down.

 

From what I just read up on, 50,000-100,000 isn't out of the normal range for replacement needs, depending on driving like lots of bumpy roads etc.

Symptoms include:

• Nose dive when braking. ...
• Bouncy ride. ...
• Vehicle rolls or sways when cornering. ...
• Uneven tire wear. ...
• Rear squat during acceleration. ...
• Vibration in steering wheel. ...
• Unusual noises. ...
• Leaking fluid on exterior of shocks/struts.

 

I just changed mine out at a little over 80xxx with some bilstein 5100's and it's a night and day difference.

 

If it’s just the inside that is wearing, it doesn’t sound like shocks.
Worn shocks usually cause cupping.
I’m not a tire guy, so don’t take my word for it.

Did they still charge you for an alignment?

 

Ive changed one year old shocks, anything can fail.

Typically I change or call them based on leaks or corrosion. Rarely due to tire cupping. If the tires are cupping due a worn shock you'd feel it in the ride.

 

Had a single shock covered under warranty within 2 years of purchasing, 65,000 kilometers. Attributed it to faulty seals and really rough roads. Oh well! Sounds like you're due for an upgrade!

I want to say my rear shocks might be already out at 45,000km or so, tire wear looks a little weirder every time I look. Should probably give it a better look.

 

Pulling to the right and uneven tire wear sounds more like an alignment issue. Check w another shop.

 

Shocks (not struts, but coilovers in this case) normally have an interval of 50k miles.

Some can last a little longer but their ability to dampen as well is greatly reduced.

 

No idea on typical life for struts on a 3rd gen. I've had previous gens that made it more miles w/o needing struts, but that doesn't mean anything. Maybe it was an attempted upsell, maybe not... But don't reputable alignment shops do some sort of print off showing toe and camber and all that stuff I don't quite understand?

 

Shit seems old IDK?!

 

It completely depends on how you treat them... you can cook them within 100 miles, running fast on washboard forest service roads.

Also, we have shocks and coilovers...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacomas-dont-have-struts.452101/

 

83K miles seems like a lot to me for shocks/coil overs. i start watching for a sale at about 50K miles and replace them at 50-75K miles. i always notice an improvement afterwards.

i would ask if 83K miles seems too soon, when would you expect to have to replace them? 150K, 200K?

 

All depends on how u used the truck …it sucks but if u are going to have to replace might as well do a lift and suspension upgrade .

 

TRD Sport, OR or PRO?

 

Thanks for the quick replies, and the coil over vs strut lesson (the mechanic at the shop used the strut term). I do drive on a fair amount of dirt roads around here every year so I suppose I’ll bring it back so they can finish the job

 

Same here, kept it stock height. Best budget, cost effective replacement (for me).

 

Sometimes shit just wears out brother. And 83K miles is a decent amount of miles. But definitely get an independent second opinion and go from there.

Good luck and.....

Carry on!

 

Struts and coilovers are interchangeable term.

 

You are correct. Cupping is caused by bad struts or shocks. Would love to see the camber readout.