How long should TRD struts last?

[nmatthis]

I had the full TRD suspension (Bilstein struts, Eibach springs) installed on my 99 Solara at 56k miles. Now I have 160k miles, so that's about 100k miles on the struts/springs. I'm not worried about the springs, but how long should the struts last? I know that conventional struts should be replaced every 75k or so, but I remember reading that the TRD Bilstein struts supposedly last 3 times as long as conventional struts.

I mean, they definitely still seem to be as firm as ever. Is firmness and no leaks what determine if the struts are still in good shape? I do get a little noise, but honestly, I've always had a lot more bumping and knocking sounds with this suspension, due to the extreme firmness.

[SleeperSolara]

Your idea is correct.
If the strut is still firm and there are no leaks the strut is still good.

[nmatthis]

Thanks. I guess these struts started out so firm that the reason they supposed last 3x as long as stock are because they can loose 50% and still be firmer than stock. Just moved to Massachusetts and the roads are not nearly as smooth as in Georgia due to the weather and this suspension feels twice as firm as in Georgia!

Your idea is correct.
If the strut is still firm and there are no leaks the strut is still good.

[SleeperSolara]

Thanks. I guess these struts started out so firm that the reason they supposed last 3x as long as stock are because they can loose 50% and still be firmer than stock. Just moved to Massachusetts and the roads are not nearly as smooth as in Georgia due to the weather and this suspension feels twice as firm as in Georgia!

You can push the strut down and if it returns up at a good rate the strut is good, if is goes down and stays down or returns up slowly then it's bad.