Have your car rides gone from smooth and comfortable to a rattling ordeal?
And does your car’s front end nose dive every time you brake?
These are bad strut symptoms warning you about your failing suspension system.
Let’s examine these signs and learn how they impact your safety. We’ll also check some methods to identify faulty struts and the cost of swapping them out.
This Article Contains:
- 7 Common Symptoms of Bad Struts You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Do Worn Shocks Cause the Same Symptoms as Bad Struts?
- Can You Drive with Bad Struts and Shocks?
- How Long Do Struts Last?
- How to Diagnose Bad Struts: 3 Surefire Ways
- How Much Does a Strut or Shock Replacement Cost?
- 3 FAQs about the Struts on Your Vehicle
7 Common Symptoms of Bad Struts You Shouldn’t Ignore
Here are a few signs of a bad strut that you may notice:
1. A Bumpy Ride
Struts are crucial front suspension components that provide structural support to your vehicle while driving over a speed bump and uneven road surfaces. But faulty struts won’t effectively absorb impacts from driving over a bumpy road, which results in a shaky and bouncy ride.
2. Nose Dive and Rear Squat
Some nose dives are inevitable from hard braking. But a damaged front strut makes it more pronounced even when braking normally. A failing strut won’t resist the forces acting on it while braking, and your car’s front end will dip.
Similarly, when accelerating, your car’s weight shifts to its rear end. This results in excess pressure on the rear suspension parts, and eventually, the rear end can squat as you hit the gas pedal.
You may also notice an increase in the stopping distance (the distance it takes to stop completely after applying the brakes.)
3. Uneven Tire Wear
The strut assembly on your vehicle helps the tires maintain contact with the road. Worn struts can result in a bouncy ride, uneven wear, and cupping (a situation where the tire tread seems hollowed or gouged out.)
A bad strut mount can also affect your car’s wheel alignment and accelerate the wear of the inner or outer edge of the tire tread. While regular tire rotation may counteract uneven tire wear, if you don’t fix a bad strut mount, you’ll eventually need a complete tire repair service.
4. Steering Issues
The upper strut mount bearing allows the front wheels to turn according to the steering wheel input. A damaged strut mount bearing can make the steering wheel vibrate and be hard to turn. It may also not return to its center position after making a turn.
5. Vehicle Sways While Cornering
A failing shock can lose its ability to manage weight transfer when cornering. The lack of vehicle stability reduces your steering control, making it dangerous to drive.
6. Unusual Squeaking or Clunking Noises
A strut assembly is connected to your car’s body using a strut bearing. When this bearing fails, you’ll hear a strange knocking or clunking noise from the suspension parts while turning. This unusual noise is caused by metal-to-metal contact in the strut assembly when you drive over a rough road.
7. Fluid Leaks
A strut seal can wear out due to continuous use, causing a hydraulic fluid leak. This reduces the effectiveness of the suspension components. You may also notice oil or grime on the strut’s hydraulic cylinder due to the leak.
Now we know the signs, but here’s the tricky part: The symptoms of bad shocks are pretty similar to those of worn struts.
Don’t worry — there’s a way to tell them apart. Let’s explore how.
Do Worn Shocks Cause the Same Symptoms as Bad Struts?
Worn-out shocks can also result in a rough ride on a bumpy road, uneven tire wear, unusual sounds, and fluid leaks. However, there are some differences:
- A bad shock won’t affect your vehicle’s suspension height.
- A worn shock doesn’t impact your steering ability as significantly as a bad strut.
- A faulty shock produces squeaking or creaking noises, while a worn strut creates a loud clunking noise.
Wondering if it’s safe to drive your car with these symptoms?
Let’s find out.
Can You Drive with Bad Struts and Shocks?
Technically, you can, but you shouldn’t.
Driving your vehicle with a worn strut or faulty shock can cause steering and handling problems.
Moreover, damaged shocks and struts can cause further harm to other suspension components, leading to expensive repairs. You may also face severe consequences such as complete loss of car control, increased chances of skidding on wet roads, and extreme passenger discomfort.
Once you notice symptoms of bad shocks or struts, it’s best to call a professional mechanic to avoid any trouble.
Wondering how often you need to repair or replace your struts?
Let’s have a look.
How Long Do Struts Last?
Struts can last between 5 to 10 years or 50,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer, vehicle load, road surfaces, and your driving habits.
Regular driving in freezing temperatures or frequent hard braking drastically reduces the lifespan of your struts. So, when you notice the signs of a failing strut, request an appointment at your local auto shop.
But how will a mechanic confirm if your struts have gone bad?
Keep scrolling to find out.
How to Diagnose Bad Struts: 3 Surefire Ways
Here are some basic tests your mechanic will perform to determine if your struts are faulty:
A. Parked Level Test
The mechanic will observe your vehicle’s stance when it’s parked, then they’ll:
- Check if the front sits lower than expected.
- Observe if the front right end is lower than the left or vice versa.
- Measure the suspension height from the top of the tire to the bottom of the fender.
- Ensure there is no substantial height difference between the right and left wheels.
B. Bounce Test
This is what your mechanic will do:
- Place their foot or knee on the bumper or hood of your car.
- Push the vehicle down.
- Take off their foot or knee abruptly and watch the car return to its original position.
- If there’s excessive bouncing, it indicates a broken strut.
C. Detailed Diagnosis
Here are the steps a mechanic will follow to confirm a worn strut:
- Open the hood and locate the strut mounts.
- Check if each strut mount is secure in its place and look for rust on its nuts and bolts.
- Rotate the steering wheel from the lock-to-lock position and observe any unusual noise to check the upper strut bearing.
- Raise the car using a hoist or jack.
- Check the coil spring to ensure it’s not broken.
- Look for cracks or damage in the rubber seat of the upper and lower strut mount into which the coil spring attaches.
- Compress and release the coil spring to check excessive movement in the strut piston rod.
- Inspect the piston cylinder for hydraulic fluid leaks.
If they find uneven tire wear or a hydraulic fluid leak, the mechanic may suggest replacing the coil spring, strut mount, or the entire strut assembly.
Note: During a strut replacement, you should also schedule a wheel alignment and suspension repair to inspect other parts for strange noises or a bad shock absorber. This preventative maintenance will ensure a stable ride.
Now, let’s see how much a strut replacement can set you back.
How Much Does a Strut or Shock Replacement Cost?
The approximate cost for replacing a pair of struts is between $900 and $1,050. This includes:
- Cost of strut assembly pairs: $200 and $270
- Labor: $700 and $780
Tip: It’s best to replace struts as a pair. Combining an old and new strut can cause uneven tire wear and balancing issues with your vehicle.
Still have more questions about struts?
We’ll settle your curiosity.
3 FAQs about the Struts on Your Vehicle
Here are answers to commonly asked questions on struts:
1. How Do Struts Work?
A car strut acts as both a structural and dampening component of your car’s suspension system. The struts reduce the oscillations from the suspension springs to ensure vehicle stability. The spring in the car strut maintains the ride height and keeps the tire in contact with the road when the vehicle goes over a speed bump or pothole.
Here’s how:
The spring absorbs the impact from the tire, transferring it to the hydraulic piston system in the strut. The hydraulic system dampens the oscillations or “bounciness” to provide a smooth and comfortable ride.
2. What to Consider While Purchasing a New Replacement Strut?
Before buying new struts, you should keep these points in mind:
- Vehicle brand: Verify the specific strut for your vehicle’s make and model. Check the owner’s manual to confirm if your car uses air, coilover, or MacPherson struts.
- Driving conditions: For off-road driving or sports racing, you’ll need to purchase highly durable MacPherson or Chapman struts that meet the demands.
- Load-bearing capacity: Opt for options like adjustable or magnetic shocks and struts. They adjust and handle your car according to the load requirements.
3. How Can You Maintain Your Struts and Shocks?
Here are some preventative maintenance tips to help your new shocks and struts last long:
- Schedule regular inspections: A certified mechanic should inspect your car’s suspension system at least once a year or every 12,000 miles.
- Properly inflate your tires: Incorrect tire inflation leads to uneven wear, which can potentially damage components of your vehicle’s suspension.
- Avoid potholes and bumps: The impact force from bumps and potholes can cause substantial damage to your car’s shocks and struts.
- Avoid hard braking: Braking causes vertical movement that results in excessive wear. So slow down gradually and brake as smoothly as possible.
- Avoid exposure to corrosive elements: Water, salt, and road treatment chemicals can result in corroded or damaged shocks and struts.
Say Goodbye to Bumpy Rides with AutoNation Mobile Service
Your car’s shocks and struts are an essential part of the suspension system. For optimal control over rough roads and side-to-side shifts, get them checked when you go for your scheduled tire repair.
But if you notice the signs of a failing shock or strut earlier, have your car inspected by qualified mechanics at AutoNation Mobile Service.
We are a mobile auto repair and maintenance solution offering easy online booking and a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty on all services, including radiator repair and brake repair.
Contact us to request an appointment for a suspension repair right from your driveway.