Background: Earlier this week a dog ran out in the street in front of my car. I swerved to avoid it and slammed a curve pretty hard, doing at least $1500 damage to the front suspension including ruining the left front strut.

I'd been planning on buying Koni FSDs soon but now I'm reconsidering because I'm not sure if these struts (or any other aftermarket units) can be purchased individually in case of an accident such as this. The one vendor I've discussed this with tells me they sell the FSDs in sets of four only.

Has anyone had occasion to replace a single aftermarket strut due to an accident, premature failure, etc.? Was it straightforward to get or did you have to jump through hoops or did you have to buy all four?

 

http://www.ltbmotorsports.com/minicooper.html

Sold each. Normally they should be changed in pairs due to wear.

Tire rack also sells them separately.

 

You should never replace a stock strut with an aftermarket one unless you change all four at the same time. You will drastically change the handling for the worse if you do. Always change suspension parts in pairs, and usually all four corners at once.

 

I think you misunderstood my question. I do not / did not plan to replace a single stock strut with an aftermarket one. The question arose because of the need to replace a single strut due to an accident - in the current case, a stock strut needs replacing and is being replaced with a stock strut. But had I put on the FSDs prior to the accident (which I probably would have but for the fact that life got in the way of ordering them) I'd have been in the situation of needing to replace a single FSD - and the one vendor I'd spoken with only sells them in full sets.

It is good to know, however, that the Koni FSDs can be purchased separately from Tire Rack and other suppliers. Eases my mind and I'll probably go ahead and put them on after the car gets done being repaired. Darn curbs...

 

If you need to purchase and install a strut anyway, why not go ahead and do the FSDs now?

 

I'll be doing a number of things at the same time - the struts, better brake pads, flex steel brake hoses and bigger rear antisway bar. I don't want any confusion on the shop's part when it comes to who pays for what, etc.

I've found it's rarely a good idea to mix insurance covered repair work with upgrades. They'll make the car right to my satisfaction, I'll drive it for a bit to make certain everything is right and then I'll have the upgrades done at my convenience.

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding gm. Good luck with your repairs. I have heard nothing but good things about the FSD's.

 

Koni shocks can definitely be purchased individually.