Put $40 junkyard struts on my wagon instead of the $300 set and the ride got better

Mason Schmidt · 2026-10-07T23:00:04.418787+00:00

My 2001 Saturn wagon had 190k on it and the back end was bouncing like a trampoline over every bump on Highway 12 here in Michigan. I figured the cheap route was a waste and I'd just live with it. Then a buddy said pull a set off a low mile wreck, so I grabbed a pair off a 60k car for $40 total at the yard in Kalamazoo. Threw them on in my driveway with a $12 spring compressor from Harbor Freight and some hand tools. Took me two hours and one busted knuckle. First drive after, the whole car sat level and the clunk was gone. What I learned is struts don't really age much sitting in a yard if the seals are dry, mine were mint. Going on 8k now and they still feel tight. Anyone else had luck pulling suspension parts off a wreck instead of buying new?

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Put $40 junkyard struts on my wagon instead of the $300 set and the ride got better | Budget Project Cars - HW Forums