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10 Signs Of Bad Struts And Shocks

Have you noticed any abnormality in your vehicle recently? Is its performance not up to the mark? Maybe it’s a sign of something damaged. Check out 10 signs of bad struts and shocks and how to repair them.

What Are Struts?

In today’s era, no vehicle is complete without Struts and Shocks. Struts along with Shocks help in stabilizing the vehicle’s movements and vehicle’s pitch securely to provide smooth control on the uneven road surface. They play an integral part in a vehicle.

But after travelling long miles, these supports eventually wear out and signs of bad struts or shocks are spotted. It leads to poor control. The harsher the road, the rougher movements of the vehicle, and the faster the suspensions and shocks will deteriorate. Even in ordinary conditions, struts and shocks thump an average of 1700 times per mile, thus making these wear and tear very common.

Different Signs Of Bad Struts

Struts are the backbone of a vehicle. As mentioned above, such wear and tear are more than common these days. Depending on the road’s condition, the bumpier the roads,  the faster they will wear out. Here are a few signs of bad struts:

1. Adverse Overall Effects

Since struts play a salient role in any vehicle thus if they get damaged anyhow they can impact the overall drive of your vehicle badly. They can have a very bad effect on various fragments of a vehicle.

2. Badly Damaged Tires

Since the struts are directly connected to the wheels, with the signs of bad struts on a car, you can also observe your tires getting damaged rapidly. Distinguishable vibration and shaking after hitting a thwack can be observed as they are objected to immense pressure.

3. Unusual Noises

One of the most unignorable signs is that abnormal noise you may hear occasionally.

4. Transmission Stress

Due to the poor condition of struts the transmission is strained to undergo unnecessary extra stress. This extra stress conveyed leads to premature deterioration of transmissions. It damages its life span way before time.

5. Rattled Rides

This is one of the first signs of bad struts and shocks you may observe. And who on the whole earth likes those uncomfy rough rides? No one! But with damaged struts, you should expect that bumpy feeling.

6. Noticeable Instability

Since struts are connected to the front end directly, so the stability of your vehicle is directly disturbed by damaged struts. You may observe abnormal swinging occasionally.

7. Fluid Leak

You may observe some fluid leaks from your vehicle as a primary sign of bad struts.

8. Bounce

I know the idea of bouncy rides may seem cool to some of you, but believe me, they are not! Your car will be jumping way more than enough even at reasonable speeds.

9. Stiff Steering

Since the part managing controls are now damaged, it is obvious to face this issue. It will not be as effortless as it should have been.

10. Swaying Unnecessarily

You can observe your vehicle leaning even in the slightest of turns at a reasonable speed.

So can you drive with them? Unfortunately, no!

Fixes For Damaged Struts

Now since you are familiar with the adverse effects and signs of bad struts, let’s move to the next part, which is of course solution!

Professional Help

The best and probably the handiest way is to hire a professional mechanic to repair it.

DIY

Thanks to the developing technology, today everyone has access to the internet. The Internet is that amazing book of infinite pages which has a solution for everything! So buckle up to get your hands dirty.

So to make it easier for you, I have a list of all that you will need:

New Struts, Nuts and Bolts, a basic mechanic kit, Sockets and Shocks, Pry, Leverage and most importantly PATIENCE, and now you are good to go!

Parts Signs of bad struts

How Much Should It Cost To Replace Struts?

Since struts play such a major role in the well being of your vehicle, you should not hesitate to spend a few bucks to get it done. I would personally suggest getting it done by professionals as it is comparatively hassled free and time-saving. Though I can’t deny the fact that this huge component will dig a big hole in your pocket. It will easily cost you around 600$. But again it may vary from model to model and place to place.

 

Now some of you may wonder why to pay so much and ignore it.

Can You Drive With Bad Struts?

Since they play a very important role in your safety, you cannot ignore the signs of bad struts as they may cost you your life. It’ll weaken the grip of wheels on the road to a great extent, making it prone to accidents. It will hinder brakes and steering badly. It will not only make your rides uncomfortable but also accelerate the wearing of other parts. And as they say, “Precaution is better than cure.” So do it as soon as possible. Believe me, your vehicle will thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions-

So, here are some of the frequently asked questions about the symptoms, what do wear out struts feel like?-

How Are Your Car Act If Your Struts Are Bad?

When your struts are bad, your car will take longer to stop. Your anti-lock braking system could also be affected. The risk increases even more on rough roads because of the increased movement of the wheels.

What Do Worn Out Struts Feel Like?

Worn-out struts can cause the vehicle to squat or dive upon hard acceleration when going into corners. A worn strut bearing can also make the steering wheel difficult to turn.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bad Strut Bearings?

Symptoms of Bad Strut Bearings are-

  • Banging, clunking, rattling, or popping noises, during low-speed steering moves.
  • Excessive vibration through the suspension or steering.
  • Stiff, hard, binding steering and poor wheel alignment.
  • Uneven tire wear.

Do You Need An Alignment After Replacing Struts?

Yes, you need an alignment after replacing struts.

Do New Struts Make A Difference?

Yes, new struts can make a difference. It can make a vehicle corner.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bad Shock Absorbers?

Symptoms of Bad Shock Absorbers are-

  1. Excessive Bouncing, Swerving, & Diving
  2. Longer Stopping Distance
  3. Steering Wheel

When Replacing Struts What Else Should I Replace?

When you are replacing a strut on a vehicle, you need to inspect the sway bar links if there are cam bolts. The sway bar links will make sure the suspension is silent and they probably need replacement due to wear.

How Many Miles Does A Strut Last?

A strut lasts every 50000-10000 miles.

Bonus Tips

Here are a few tips and tricks for you so that you can stay away from unnecessary drama!

  • Don’t miss servicing appointments.
  • Try not to be too hard on your steerings.
  • Make sure the fuel level
  • goes below recommended.
  • Avoid bumpy and harsh roads as much as possible.
  • In case you spot any abnormality, repair it soon.
  • Don’t compromise on quality.

So that’s all in today’s blog, hope I solved all your queries. In case you have any other questions, just let me know below in the comment section. I’ll get back to you soon.

Happy reading!