I'm pretty sure my struts are done but wondering what typical symptoms are for worn struts. My car has always ridden firmly, although I've had it so long I don't recall what the ride was like when it when I first got it. So, other than mileage (mine has far more than I should expect out of a pair of struts), what would indicate I need to replace my struts? Also, if looking for a relatively stock ride (I'm not lowering or anything like that), any suggestions for replacements? I'll replace struts/springs & rear shocks at the same time. Thanks!

 

acura's come stiff from factory.
a blown shock will be bouncy

mileage doesnt tell the whole story, as they could still be in working condition after 100xxx miles

 

but, since you are thinking of replacing all 4, now is never a better time to do it.
think of it as, if you replace all 4 now, you wont have to worry about them til 15 years later. lol

 

Well, I've got over 279k on them. This is clearly not a blown shock in the traditional sense. The ride is very stiff, although as you mentioned, they ride stiff from the factory. I just can't tell anymore if this is what the car has always ridden like, as I've put 250k of those 279k on the car. There seems to be no give (or very little) in the struts, as if they can't compress. When I hit a bump of any kind, I can certainly feel it and sharp bumps feel as if I'm going to bend a rim or bend a suspension component. I'll take a look at all suspension components as I'm putting my snows on.

 

if any are leaking = blown

 

with my older cars, I used to perform the "push down on hood then push down on trunk" test

if upon release of push, the car bounces like a low-rider, shocks are blown

 

I tried that on the driver's side front corner yesterday. The car hardly moved down at all (and of course, no bounce upon return). Used all 180+ lbs of my weight. Will try each corner as time permits.

 

Checked by struts again by pushing down on each corner of the car. Driver side front doesn't seem to compress at all. New struts/shocks will be needed. Any brand suggestions? Again, looking for stock ride height and close to stock ride. Thanks.

 

OEM or OEM equivalents, like KYB or Monroe

I've previously used Monroe for my previous American rides! but had never used an OEM equivalent for these Acuras, so I'm not sure how they would fare

 

I have Monroes on my '01 VW Passat wagon (rears only). They're OK, but not sure I'd want them on my Acura. I'll look into KYBs. Had them years ago on a different VW. Don't recall my opinion of them on that vehicle.

 

That test is NOT conclusive on these high pressure shocks. Save your money for something actually BROKEN!

 

As I mentioned, there is very little to NO compression on the drivers side strut, causing a very harsh ride. However, on the "conclusive" side, while I was putting on my snows I found that my front passenger side strut is leaking .

 

The push test is not accurate on these type of high pressure shocks noted by Tosh. Mine barely moved also at 200K. When I changed mine out I realized what I was missing. A car with shocks that work. At 279k, treat yourself, it will feel night and day different. I went with Koni yellows and stock springs. If you use the upper perch, you may drop a inch max.