When to Replace Your Struts
When to Replace Your Struts
Shocks and struts are two of the most important parts of your car's suspension system. They absorb the shock of bumpy roads and help maintain your vehicle's proper direction around curves.
They also keep weight balanced throughout the vehicle and help reduce front-end alignment problems. However, they do wear out quickly if you drive over rough road conditions or if you carry heavy loads.
1. You notice a bumpy ride
If you notice that your car's ride quality has become bumpy, it may be time to replace your struts. Struts and shock absorbers are essential components of your suspension system, which help you maintain control over your vehicle's movement while turning, accelerating and braking.
Unlike shocks, which can also absorb vertical motion and isolate that movement to the wheel on which they're directly impacted, struts are primarily used to support your car's weight. This helps keep your tires on the road and provides good traction when driving over uneven surfaces like potholes, curbs or railroad tracks.
Worn struts can cause your car to bounce and can increase the chances of uneven tire wear and tread cupping (where the edges of the tread wear out in a wavy manner). You'll need to replace your struts sooner than normal if you regularly carry heavy loads or drive on rough roads.
2. You notice a shaky ride
If you notice that your car is feeling shaky and unbalanced, it could be an indication that you need to replace your struts.
Struts and shocks help stabilize your vehicle while you drive, preventing it from bouncing or moving around during turns or on bumpy roads. They absorb the majority of the shock your vehicle experiences and prevent it from getting out of alignment while you are driving.
One of the most common reasons people notice their struts or shocks need to be replaced is because they no longer have a smooth ride.
This is because the suspension components no longer function properly to keep your vehicle in balance. Aside from causing your car to have a shaky or bumpy ride, worn-out suspension components can also cause your car to take longer to stop or feel like it’s nose diving when you brake.
3. You notice a clunking sound
Struts are responsible for keeping your car, truck or SUV properly aligned and balanced while driving. They help to ensure that your vehicle is safe and secure on the road, especially when you’re going over bumps or potholes.
If you notice a clunking sound when you hit a bump or if the front of your vehicle feels like it’s on a pogo stick, it may be time to replace your struts. However, it’s important to note that worn struts are not always the cause of the problems you are experiencing.
The first step to replacing your struts is to remove the lower control arm. This requires breaking the cotter pin and removing the nut. Then, using a tie-rod separator, you can pop the ball joint out of the spindle. After this, the strut can be removed from the chassis.
4. You notice a swaying
If you notice your vehicle swaying while driving, it may be time to replace the shocks and struts. These components are essential for the safety and performance of your car.
If your struts are worn out, they’re not able to absorb road impact and soften bumps. This can cause your vehicle to bounce excessively, which could also result in unusual steering response.
It’s important to note that these symptoms are only one of the many signs that you may need new struts or shocks. A qualified mechanic should evaluate your suspension at regular intervals to ensure that your vehicle is still safe to drive.
If you feel your vehicle swaying, it’s important to slow down and avoid applying the brakes. This can increase the swaying and potentially cause you to overturn the vehicle.
When to Replace Your Struts Shocks and struts are two of the most important parts of your car's suspension system. They absorb the shock of bumpy roads and help maintain your vehicle's proper direction around curves. They also keep weight balanced throughout the vehicle and help reduce front-end alignment problems. However, they do wear out…