Last week I had a nasty mishap with a curb or something going probably about 35-40mph. Surprisingly car was still drivable. Strut appears bent at bottom of bod where attaches to knuckle. Wheel has nasty dent and tire ruined. Still holds air but can feel bumps in cords and rubbing on inside against strut. Also I have lower springs replaced a couple of years ago. It's a 2007 w/~40,000mi. Questions:

1. Should I replace both front struts, not just bent one?
2. Stock good or should I upgrade?
3. Any other part definitely or likely to need replacement? Anything to check before ordering?
4. Where to buy stock parts? Koni or other aftermarket? I found 15% somewhere (can I mention vendor names?)
5 Any caveats doing repair?

For the tire it's new enough and rim dented and cheap enough that I'll probably just get a built up one from Tire Rack to replace the damaged one. Put a crease along the side of the car but that will have to wait.

I suspect I'll need some kind of alignment too, yes?

It's been awhile since I've been around so have some catching up to do.

Still love my S, except for the cost of things like a thermostat!!!

James Cooper
Coopersburg, PA
2007 Cooper S

 

Great time to replace all 4 and upgrade! I like the Koni FSD struts. The car has a great ride even with the RF's on the rims.

 

Definitely go with aftermarket struts all around at the minimum. If I were you, I would just get a decent set of Coilovers, as the cost isn't too far off a full of Struts. My ST's were 925 shipped to my door. The ride is good and the adjustability is great!

You will want to get an alignment after a big hit like that anyways, probably sent a few things out of whack. Any suspensions changes it is a good idea to get an alignment anyways. I usually wait a few hundred miles before the alignment after I make the changes but that is just me. I want to make sure things really settle in!

 

If you want to change the struts, now would be the time, but at 40K you could get away with just replacing the bent stuff.

And yes, you need an alignment. I'd bet on a bent lower control arm too.