I ordered a pair of struts for the GP on Amazon. They arrived while I was out of town this week so I was not able to open them to inspect them until today. Upon removing the product boxes from the shipping box, the first item of concern was that one of the boxes was banged up. I opened that one first and the strut seems to be fine. When I turned my attention to the other box, it was obvious that it had previously been opened, as you could see where tape had been removed from the flaps on the top of the box. Also, "LF" was hand written on the box in marker. I opened the box and found that "LF" was also written in marker on the label on the strut, like someone was in the process of installing it on a vehicle. Also, the strap that keeps the strut compressed was gone. However, the strut top nut was still in the box, although the tape closing it's bag is red whereas the one in the unopened box is blue. The photo below shows the differences in the two opened boxes.
I have looked over the previously opened strut and see no apparent damage to the housing or shaft and the threads on the shaft appear unmolested. Should it be fine or should I return it? I should be able to get a replacement on Saturday for my planned Sunday install using free Prime shipping.
I have looked over the previously opened strut and see no apparent damage to the housing or shaft and the threads on the shaft appear unmolested. Should it be fine or should I return it? I should be able to get a replacement on Saturday for my planned Sunday install using free Prime shipping.