- What Are the Benefits of Replacing Struts?
- How to Diagnose a Faulty Strut
- Tools Are Needed for Replacing Struts
- How to Choose the Right Replacement Strut
- The Cost of Replacing Struts: Is It Worth It?
- Common Signs That You Need to Replace
- DIY Tips for Replacing Your Vehicle’s Struts
- Installing Aftermarket vs OEM Replacement Parts
- How Long Does It Take To Replace?
- Safety Tips When Working on the Suspension
What Are the Benefits of Replacing Struts?
Replacing struts is an important part of maintaining a vehicle’s suspension system. Struts are responsible for providing support and stability to the vehicle, and when they become worn or damaged, it can lead to a variety of problems.
Replacing struts can provide numerous benefits, including improved ride quality, better handling, increased safety, and extended tire life. You could also learn more in our guide on the shock vs the strut. Otherwise, here are some of the benefits of newer struts.
- Improved Ride Quality: Worn or damaged struts can cause the vehicle to bounce excessively over bumps in the road. This can make for an uncomfortable ride that is both jarring and unpleasant. Replacing the struts with new ones will help reduce this bouncing sensation by providing more dampening control over bumps in the road.
- Better Handling: Worn or damaged struts can also affect how well a vehicle handles turns and curves in the road. When turning corners at higher speeds, worn-out struts may cause excessive body roll which makes it difficult to maintain control of the car while cornering. Replacing them with new ones will help improve handling by reducing body roll during cornering maneuvers as well as improving overall stability on straightaways at higher speeds.
- Increased Safety: Worn-out struts may also affect braking performance due to their inability to properly absorb shock from braking forces applied by the driver’s foot on the brake pedal. This could potentially lead to longer stopping distances which could increase the risk of accidents occurring due to inadequate braking power when needed most urgently in emergencies such as sudden stops or swerving maneuvers around obstacles on roads or highways. By replacing them with new ones you will be able to ensure that your brakes are working optimally so you have maximum stopping power when needed most urgently.
- Extended Tire Life: Finally, worn-out shocks may also contribute to premature tire wear due to their inability to properly absorb shock from uneven surfaces on roads. This causes tires not only to wear faster but also unevenly leading to poor traction while driving. By replacing them with new ones, you will be able to extend your tire’s life significantly since they won’t be subjected to too much stress from uneven surfaces anymore.
How to Diagnose a Faulty Strut
Diagnosing a faulty strut can be a difficult task, as the symptoms of bad struts on a car are often similar to those of other suspension components. However, some key signs can help you determine if your vehicle’s struts need to be replaced.
- The first sign of a faulty strut is an excessive amount of bouncing when driving over bumps or uneven surfaces. If your car bounces more than usual after hitting bumps or potholes, it could indicate that the struts are worn out and need to be replaced. Additionally, if you notice that your car leans excessively when turning corners or going around curves, this could also indicate worn-out struts.
- Another symptom of bad struts is increased tire wear on one side of the vehicle. This is caused by the weight being unevenly distributed due to the failing suspension component and should not be ignored as it can lead to further damage down the line.
- Finally, if you hear loud clunking noises coming from underneath your car while driving over bumps or rough terrain, this could also point towards worn-out struts and should not be ignored as they will only get worse with time.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar then it may be time for you to replace your vehicle’s struts to ensure safe and comfortable driving conditions for yourself and other drivers on the road.
What Tools Are Needed for Replacing Struts?
Replacing struts requires a few specialized tools. These include a spring compressor, an impact wrench, a jack and jack stands, and various sockets and wrenches. A spring compressor is used to compress the coil springs so that the strut can be removed from the vehicle. An impact wrench is necessary to remove the nuts that hold the strut in place.
A jack and jack stands are needed to lift the vehicle so that you can access all of its components. Finally, various sockets and wrenches are required for removing other components such as brake lines or sway bar links that may be connected to the strut assembly.
How to Choose the Right Replacement Strut for Your Vehicle
When it comes to replacing a strut on your vehicle, it is important to choose the right one for your specific make and model. The wrong strut can cause damage to other parts of the suspension system, as well as reduce the overall performance of your vehicle. Here are some tips for choosing the right replacement strut for your vehicle:
1. Determine what type of strut you need: There are two main types of struts – MacPherson struts and coilover struts. MacPherson struts are typically found in front-wheel drive vehicles, while coilover struts are usually found in rear-wheel drive vehicles. Knowing which type you need will help narrow down your choices when selecting a replacement part.
2. Check compatibility: Once you know what type of strut you need, make sure that any potential replacements are compatible with your specific make and model of car or truck. This includes checking that they have the same mounting points and fitment requirements as the original part did when it was installed on your vehicle.
3. Consider quality: When selecting a replacement part, always opt for higher quality components over cheaper alternatives if possible; this will ensure that you get a longer-lasting product with better performance characteristics than an inferior option would provide. Additionally, look for parts from reputable brands or manufacturers who offer warranties on their products so that if something does go wrong with them after installation, they can be replaced quickly and easily without any additional cost to you down the line.
4. Research reviews: Before making a purchase decision on any particular product or brand, take some time to read through customer reviews online so that you can get an idea about how reliable each option is before committing to buying it yourself; this will help ensure that whatever choice you make is one that won’t let you down later on down the road.
Following these tips should help ensure that when replacing a strut on your vehicle, you select one that is both compatible with its existing suspension system and provides long-lasting performance characteristics at an affordable price point.
The Cost of Replacing Struts: Is It Worth It?
Replacing struts is an important part of maintaining a vehicle, as they are responsible for providing stability and support to the suspension system. However, this repair can be costly and time-consuming, so it is important to consider whether or not it is worth the expense. So, how much is the replacement cost for new shocks and struts?
- The strut replacement cost will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the type of strut being replaced. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400-$1,000 for a complete strut replacement job. This includes labor costs associated with removing and installing new struts.
- It is important to note that replacing worn-out struts can help improve your car’s handling performance and safety features. Worn-out struts can cause excessive bouncing when driving over bumps or uneven surfaces which can lead to loss of control in certain situations. Additionally, worn-out struts may also cause premature tire wear due to increased friction between tires and road surfaces caused by excessive bouncing.
- In conclusion, while replacing worn-out struts may be expensive initially, it could save you money in the long run by improving your car’s performance and safety features while reducing tire wear costs associated with poor handling performance caused by worn-out shocks or struts.
- Therefore, if you are experiencing any issues related to poor handling performance or excessive bouncing when driving over bumps or uneven surfaces then it may be worth considering investing in a strut replacement job for your vehicle.
Common Signs That You Need to Replace Your Vehicle’s Struts
1. Unusual Noises: If you hear a clunking, rattling, or thumping noise coming from the front or rear of your vehicle when driving over bumps, it could be a sign that your struts need to be replaced.
2. Uneven Tire Wear: Worn-out struts can cause uneven tire wear due to the suspension not being able to properly absorb road shock and vibrations. If you notice that one side of your tires is wearing down faster than the other, it may be time for new struts.
3. Vehicle Swaying: When driving at higher speeds, if you feel like your vehicle is swaying more than usual or feels unstable on turns, this could indicate worn-out struts and shocks that are no longer able to provide adequate stability and control while cornering or braking hard.
4. Poor Handling: Strut failure can cause poor handling as they are responsible for keeping the wheels in contact with the road surface at all times by providing dampening forces when turning corners or going over bumps in the road. If you find yourself having difficulty controlling your car while turning corners or going over bumps in the road, it may be time for new struts and shocks.
5. Leaking Fluid: If there is fluid leaking from either end of your strut assembly then this indicates a problem with either one of its seals which will require the replacement of both parts to fix it properly.
DIY Tips for Replacing Your Vehicle’s Struts
Replacing your vehicle’s struts is an important part of maintaining your car. Struts are essential components of the suspension system, and they help to absorb shock and keep the car stable while driving. If you notice any signs that your struts may need to be replaced, such as a bouncy ride or excessive body roll when cornering, it is important to take action quickly.
Here are some tips for replacing your vehicle’s struts yourself:
1. Gather the necessary tools and supplies: Before beginning any repair job, it is important to make sure you have all of the necessary tools and supplies on hand. For replacing struts, you will need a jack stand, socket set with extensions, torque wrench, spring compressor tool (if applicable), strut mount kit (including new nuts and bolts), new strut assembly (including upper mount plate), anti-seize lubricant or grease for mounting hardware threads.
2. Lift the vehicle: To access the old strut assembly safely and securely, use a jack stand to lift one side of the vehicle at a time until it is high enough off of the ground for you to work comfortably underneath it. Make sure that both sides are lifted evenly so that there is no risk of tipping over while working on them.
3. Remove old strut assembly: Once both sides have been lifted securely with jack stands in place underneath them, remove all four nuts from each side using an appropriate socket size for each nut type (usually 19mm). Then remove both upper mount plates from each side by unscrewing them from their respective locations on top of each wheel well area using an appropriate socket size as well (usually 17mm). Finally, disconnect any other components connected directly to either end of each old strut assembly before removing them completely from their respective locations to install new ones later on in this process if needed/applicable per specific model/make/year requirements/instructions provided by manufacturer or aftermarket parts supplier(s).
4 Install new strut assemblies: After all four old assemblies have been removed completely from their respective locations for installation purposes; begin installing one side at a time starting with its corresponding upper mount plate first followed by its lower end into its designated location within the wheel well area.
The Pros and Cons of Installing Aftermarket vs OEM Replacement Parts for Your Vehicle’s Suspension System
When it comes to replacing parts in your vehicle’s suspension system, you have two main options: aftermarket and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) replacement parts. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider both before making a decision.
- The primary advantage of using aftermarket parts is cost savings. Aftermarket parts are typically much less expensive than OEM replacements, making them an attractive option for those on a budget. Additionally, aftermarket manufacturers often offer more variety in terms of design and performance than OEM suppliers do. This can be beneficial if you are looking for specific features or performance characteristics that may not be available from the original manufacturer.
- On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to using aftermarket suspension components as well. The quality of these components can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer; some may be made with inferior materials or lack proper testing procedures which could lead to premature failure or poor performance over time. Additionally, since these components are not designed specifically for your vehicle’s make and model, they may not fit properly or provide optimal performance compared to an OEM part designed specifically for your car or truck.
- OEM replacement parts offer several advantages over their aftermarket counterparts as well. Since they are designed by the original manufacturer specifically for your vehicle’s make and model, they will fit perfectly and provide optimal performance when installed correctly. Additionally, since these components have been tested extensively by the original manufacturer before release into the market place you can rest assured that they will perform reliably over time without any unexpected issues arising due to poor quality control measures taken during production processes like those found with many aftermarket suppliers.
- However, there is one major downside associated with purchasing OEM replacement suspension components: cost. These parts tend to be significantly more expensive than their aftermarket counterparts primarily because of their superior quality control measures taken during production processes as well as higher overhead costs associated with being produced by a large corporation rather than a smaller independent supplier.
Ultimately, when deciding between installing an aftermarket vs an OEM replacement part in your vehicle’s suspension system, it is important to weigh all factors carefully before making a decision. Consider both cost savings versus reliability, availability versus compatibility, and overall value versus long-term durability when selecting which type of component best suits your needs.
How Long Does It Take To Replace a Set of Struts?
Replacing a set of struts typically takes between two and four hours, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. The process involves removing the old struts, installing new ones, and then reassembling all components.
It is important to note that this time frame does not include any additional repairs or maintenance that may be necessary due to wear and tear on other parts of the suspension system. Additionally, it is recommended that a professional mechanic be consulted for this type of repair to ensure proper installation and safety.
Safety Tips When Working on Suspension Systems: What You Should Know Before Starting
When working on a vehicle’s suspension system, it is important to take safety precautions to ensure that the job is done correctly and safely. Here are some tips to keep in mind before starting any work on a suspension system:
1. Make sure you have the right tools for the job. Before beginning any work, make sure you have all of the necessary tools and equipment needed for the task at hand. This includes wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, and other specialized tools depending on what type of suspension system you are working with.
2. Wear protective gear when necessary. Depending on what type of work needs to be done, it may be necessary to wear protective gear such as gloves or goggles while working on a vehicle’s suspension system. This will help protect your hands and eyes from any debris or sharp objects that may be present during the repair process.
3. Read through all instructions carefully before beginning any work. It is important to read through all instructions thoroughly before starting any repair or maintenance process so that you understand exactly what needs to be done to complete the task safely and correctly without causing further damage or injury in the process.
4. Be aware of your surroundings when working under a vehicle. When performing repairs underneath a vehicle, always make sure there is adequate space around you so that no one else can get injured if something were to go wrong during repairs. Additionally, never place yourself directly underneath an elevated car as this could lead to serious injury if something were suddenly dropped from above.
5. Disconnect battery cables before beginning repairs. Before starting any repair process, always disconnect both positive and negative battery cables from their respective terminals in order to prevent electrical shock or short circuits while performing maintenance tasks under hoods or near electrical components.
Following these safety tips will help ensure that your experience with repairing a vehicle’s suspension system goes smoothly without incident or injury.
