Struts don’t need to be replaced unless your vehicle is bouncing like it’s on a pogo stick or bottoms out in potholes and over railroad tracks
— or unless a mechanic finds that they’re leaking fluid or have been damaged. In some climates, they can also rust.
Is it OK to replace just one strut?
Do you have to replace both shock absorbers or struts if only one is bad?
It’s not necessary, but it’s usually recommended to replace them in pairs
, for example, both front struts or both rear shocks. This is because a new shock absorber will absorb road bumps better than the old one.
Can you drive with damaged struts?
Driving with worn shocks or struts can result in more than just a bad ride—there are safety implications to consider. “Most drivers don’t realize that
driving with bad shocks or struts can actually increase your stopping distances, especially on wet or slippery roads
,” says Jill Trotta, Senior Director at RepairPal.
How much do struts cost?
When it comes to struts, they are a fair bit more expensive. To replace a pair of struts, the total cost on average is
between $400 and $1000
, including wheel alignment. An individual strut assembly costs approximately $150 to $350, while the labor cost is $100 to $300 for a pair.
How do I know if my struts are bad?
What does a broken strut sound like?
Bad strut sounds are usually described as
a hollow clunking or banging type of sound
. You’ll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road. Most front strut assemblies also have a bearing at the top.
Are struts in the front or back?
Struts are
typically installed in conjunction with the front wheels, but depending on a vehicle’s setup and driveline, they can also be mounted at the rear wheels
. Just as there are different types of cars, there are different types of struts.
How long do struts last?
On average shocks and struts can last
5-10 years or 50,000-100,000 miles
under ideal driving conditions. Many factors can affect the lifespan of these components to include: manufacturer, bad roads, heavy loads, towing, hard braking and aggressive driving.
Do you need alignment after replacing struts?
However, your vehicle does have adjustable camber settings and so,
yes, the vehicle would have to be aligned if the struts were replaced
. Once new struts are installed, if the alignment is roughly within spec., you can wait until you get your new tires to perform the alignment.
Is a strut and a shock the same thing?
However,
shocks and struts are two distinct parts with different functions
. While both can help with your vehicle’s ride and handling, these parts work in different ways. Shocks are individual components of the suspension system while struts are a major structural component of the chassis and suspension system.
Can you replace struts without replacing shocks?
If your vehicle needs struts,
you cannot substitute shocks
(and vice versa). Shocks are individual components of the suspension that help the coil springs absorb the impact of the road. Without shocks, the vehicle would bounce out of control!
When should you replace struts?
Cars need regular replacement of shocks or struts
every 50,000 miles
or so, depending on your car’s make and model. Have your mechanic make a routine check of the shocks or struts every 50,000 miles, or however often your operating manual recommends it.
How long does it take to change struts?
Typically, it takes around
one to two hours
to change struts, according to most professional mechanics. Even if you decide to replace them on your own, the estimated time is the same as long as you have previous mechanical skills and follow the process correctly.
Do struts leak fluid?
Generally a strut or shock will start to leak fluid as they age
. This is usually due to internal seals failing, which can be a result of our less than perfect roads. The issue is how much of a leak is considered normal.
Why does my front end clunk?
If you hear a clunk when the suspension works over bumps, you may have
excessive clearance in a joint due to wear
. It might be as simple as a loose nut on the strut, or something more subtle such as a shrunken, dried-out rubber bushing.
What causes a strut to break?
Wheel Imbalances or Blown Tires
Wheel imbalances due to misalignment or through damaged tires can cause uneven wear to suspension components which can lead to damage and breakage of coil springs, shocks and struts.
Are struts better than shocks?
Well,
shock absorbers usually give you better handling, while struts give you a lower initial cost for the vehicle
. Now if you want to check these, and they should be checked on a regular basis, you’re going to do two things; number one you’re going to bounce the vehicle up and down, and you do that over each wheel.
Do car’s have both shocks and struts?
Every wheel on your vehicle has either a shock or a strut –
never both, never neither
. However, you may have struts on your front wheels and shocks on your rear wheels.
