Signs That it is Time to Replace Your Struts

One such element of a car that makes sure we get a comfortable driving experience are the struts. In this article we will be learning more about struts, what happens when they wear out and how much it costs to replace the struts.

There is more than just drive comfort to consider with this important aspect of the car as it can also be a safety issue. So if your struts are showing signs of failure then you should get this issue dealt with without delay.

What Exactly Are Struts?

There are parts of a car that most of us have heard of but things like struts are a little more enigmatic so let's explain a little more about them. In the most basic terms struts are a structural component of most modern independent suspension systems.

Essentially struts serve as a connection point between the wheel and the body of your vehicle. Their primary role is to support the weight of your vehicle and absorb surface impacts to improve the comfort of your driving experience.

The strut has two main elements: a coil spring to support the weight, height and stability of the vehicle and shock absorbers to dampen vibrations and negate the effect of big bumps in the road. There are other components to the strut setup but this can depend on the type of strut and their location on the vehicle.

How to Tell if Your Struts Are Bad

You do not just replace struts as part of routine maintenance so you really need to look out for indications that your struts are failing. In this section we will run through some indications that it may be time to get new struts.

New Noises

We know our cars pretty well and we get used to the noises they make. Struts may or may not make audible noises as they wear out but it is worth taking note of any new sounds. Potentially struts as the wear out may begin to make a banging or hollow clunking sound while going over bumpy roads.

When struts are connected to the front steering knuckle you may also hear creaking and clunking sounds as you turn the steering wheel to take corners.

Ride Quality

Again you get to know how your car handles and how it deals with rough roads. As struts are part of the suspension it can become obvious very quickly if something changes with them. You will notice more vibration and a bumpier than normal ride.

Ignoring this change in ride comfort in the long term will allow the issue to get worse and worse until the struts finally just give out completely. This can cause serious issues with controlling the vehicle so you should not let the issue reach this point before replacing the struts.

A Drop in Performance

As struts start to wear out you might find the car diving or squatting when you accelerate or brake and you may also get leaning when you take corners. If the bearings start to wear out you may find that steering becomes less responsive and handling gets very stiff.

Essentially your ability to control the vehicle while turning will become more and more pronounced. If it gets bad enough you may actually be endangering yourself and other road users to continue to drive the vehicle with struts in that condition.

Uneven Tire Wear

This is something that can indicate either the need for a wheel alignment or potentially issues with your struts. The handling issues caused by struts can put uneven stress on your tires and result in notable uneven tire wear. This is because the tires no longer make full contact with the road surface.

Hydraulic Fluid Seepage

Struts often use a hydraulic element so they are full of hydraulic fluid. As they begin to wear out this fluid can start to leak. It does not often make it to the ground but will be visible as staining on the outside of the struts themselves.

Can You Drive on Bad Struts?

The deterioration of your struts can be gradual and you may not notice the signs for a while. Once you realize there is an issue however it is advised that you do not push the matter much further. The longer you drive on bad struts the worse the situation becomes.

It is not a cheap fix but waiting until they completely fail can be far more costly. If you are lucky enough to not get involved in an accident due to the strut failure you are still likely to have damaged other aspects of the suspension.

You must also consider the effects bad struts have on your tires and that you may end up needing new tires more frequently which is a cost you do not want either. Getting the problem dealt with sooner rather than later will likely save you money in the long run and may also save your life.

How Much Does a Strut Replacement Cost?

Struts can be mounted on the front and back axles or they may be on both depending on the vehicle . There is not much difference in price between front and back but if you need all four struts changed this can be very expensive.

On average changing a pair of struts can cost between $400 - $900 dollars with parts being just $250 - $500 of the price. The rest is used up on the labor costs as this is a very involved replacement.

Factors That Affect Replacement Costs

As with all things automotive the cost can vary depending on a number of factors so this is something to bear in mind. You may be able to find cheaper options by understanding these factors.

Size of the Vehicle

Different makes and models of vehicle vary in size and this can have a bearing on the replacement cost of struts. A compact vehicle for example will likely be cheaper to work on than a heavy duty truck or a large SUV.

If you have a rarer model vehicle however you may find the price is higher due to the increased rarity of suitable parts. When it comes to cars we pay extra for repair costs on rare cars and bigger vehicles. It is the nature of the beast and should be something all new car buyers should factor into their decision process.

Brand of Parts

You will usually have options when it comes to replacement struts; some will be more expensive than others. You can compromise quality for value if you have no other choice but be aware that cheaper branded products will wear out more quickly.

The money you save by using a cheaper part today will eventually be spent further down the line when you have to replace the parts again. If you can afford the best parts it will usually save you money in the long run.

Method of Installation

As mentioned labor costs for strut replacement are high so one big way to save on this is to try and replace them yourself. It should be noted that strut replacement is not easy and really is not for a novice to attempt.

If however you have worked with cars a lot and have a well equipped collection of tools you might be able to do this repair yourself. If however you do not have the skills then you need a professional. As a rule of thumb an auto shop will be cheaper than a dealership

Additional Services

As mentioned if we drive on bad struts for too long we can cause other damage to the suspension. As a result there may be additional repairs needed which of course will increase the bill. Strut mounts or springs may also need to be fixed.

It is also important to note that the wear and tear of the struts will likely have put your wheel alignment out. So as part of the replacement your mechanic will likely recommend a wheel alignment and your tires may also be very worn unevenly so you might be looking at new tires as well.

How Long Do Struts Last?

Struts are not part of routine maintenance so you will never need to change them preventatively. You should however watch out for signs of wear and replace as and when issues start to arise. This may start after 25,000 miles.

Factory struts however should be good for 50,000 – 100,000 miles before you have to have them replaced. This is also why you should choose quality replacement parts as they can also last this long. The cheaper quality units will wear out faster and you could be looking at a second replacement after 25,000 – 50,000 miles.

Can You Replace Just One Strut?

Technically the answer to this question is yes. If you have only one strut that is failing you could just replace that one unit. This however could still affect the car's handling so it is advised that you replace all struts on the same axle.

If your rear struts are fine but the front are damaged you can just replace the ones at the front. If you can afford to do all four it is not a bad idea as it will get out ahead of the others eventually wearing out and will help the balance of your car to have brand new units on both axles.

Conclusion

Strut replacement is not cheap and it is slightly cheaper to change rear struts than it is the front. Depending on your vehicle you might be paying close to $1000 to get this done but it is something that can not be ignored.

Do not forget that there may also be extra costs on top of the strut replacement such as new tires, wheel alignment and additional repairs. Struts are not just about ride comfort they also play a role in helping you steer so do not overlook this vital repair.

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