Replacing struts isn’t complicated. You’ll need basic tools to lift and support the vehicle and remove the wheel, shock absorber, and strut assembly. If you plan on replacing only the strut cartridge, buy or rent a spring compressor.
How do you replace a strut on a car?
Make sure to include any rubber parts from the old strut. Install the strut bearing over the spring and install the new strut rod nut to the manufacture specified torque while holding the strut rod to prevent spinning the strut shaft. Again, if you've purchased a quick-strut, don't worry about monkeying around with the spring on the old strut.
Why should I replace my old struts?
Changing old struts is an important way to keep your car stabilized at high speeds, ensuring a smooth, comfortable, and safe ride. Struts are basically a spring-mounted shock absorber that's been a basic part of car manufacturing since the 1950s.
Can you replace a strut boot yourself?
Replacing a damaged strut boot is a relatively easy job once the shock or strut is removed from the vehicle. If you plan on replacing the boot yourself, check out the step-by-step strut boot installation guide below. Note: These instructions assume that the strut has already been removed from the car. 1.
Can you remove the center nut on a strut assembly?
Do not remove the center nut or the strut will come apart and it is under high spring tension. Since you've removed the bolts from the steering knuckle, the strut might fall loose after you remove these bolts. It might help to have a partner holding onto the strut assembly while you loosen these bolts.
Can you fix struts yourself?
These assemblies allow you to replace both of your front struts yourself in less than two hours. You'll have to get an alignment done afterward (about $100), but you'll still save about $300 by doing the job yourself. You'll need rust penetrant, wrenches, a pin punch or large screwdriver, and a thin piece of plywood.
How do you fix a worn strut?
1:313:26How to Inspect and Replace Strut Mounts on Your Car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd put the spring assembly back on top of it. Then put the little collar bearing on top it comesMoreAnd put the spring assembly back on top of it. Then put the little collar bearing on top it comes with the kit then get the new strut mount. Slide that on top. And bolt it back on.
How much does it cost to fix your struts?
On average, expect to pay somewhere between $450 and $900 to replace a pair of struts. An individual strut assembly will cost about $150 to $300 so you're looking at around $300 to $600 for parts alone. Labor alone will set you back about $150 to $300 for the pair.
Is it worth it to fix struts?
Instability when braking or turning It may also take longer to stop when your suspension is bad, which is never a good thing. Replacing your shocks and struts when they are worn down will prevent damage to other vehicle components like the tires and suspension, and it is also critical for driving safety!
Can you drive with damaged struts?
Can I drive with a damaged strut? No. It needs to be repaired as soon as possible. A strut works by absorbing the bounce of your car driving over bumps in the road.
Can you drive on bad 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 long do struts last?
On average, if your car has been “babied,” you can expect your shocks/struts to last about 10 years. If you have really used your car like a workhorse, 5 years is probably all you can expect. This means that for the average driver, 7 or 8 years is the maximum life expectancy of most shocks and struts.
What happens if you don't replace your struts?
By not doing it's job – absorbing the shock – not having them replaced can lead to damage in the ball joints, wheel hubs, and many other components of the suspension. Without something to absorb the shock and energy of hitting a bump, it spreads throughout your car and will lead to damage.
What happens if struts fail?
If your shocks and struts are malfunctioning, they may put additional pressure on the control arms, ball joints, and other suspension components. Over time, these issues may result in a car accident. They can also require costly, time-intensive repairs.
Are struts difficult to replace?
The good news is, some repairs are easy to do at home. Like replacing shocks and struts. It's not a job that you should attempt if you're not familiar working with vehicles, but with a little training and experience, you'll be ready to tackle the job.
Can you replace struts without replacing shocks?
You can not substitute one for the other. If your vehicle uses struts, you cannot replace them with shocks. A shock is the piece of the suspension system that helps coil springs absorb the impact of the road. It's the shock's job to take the bounce out of the movement of the car.
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.
What happens when struts go out?
Worn-out shocks and struts will hamper your car's ability to grip the road to the point where they cause understeering or oversteering. If you are forced to understeer or oversteer your car, you can cause an accident.
How do you know if the struts are bad on your car?
1:417:08How to Diagnose a Bad Strut or Shock on Your Car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're in for a very bouncy. Ride your car is just going to be bouncing. Non-stop. Going down theMoreYou're in for a very bouncy. Ride your car is just going to be bouncing. Non-stop. Going down the road. So as your spring compresses your strut over here will decompress with it as well but you're
Do bad struts wear out tires?
Bad shocks or struts will cause the wear to be uneven. For instance, you may have a flat patch of a tire on the left side and then have wear in the center of the tire in another place. Bad shocks or struts can even ruin brand new tires and cause them to need replacement prematurely.
What happens if you don't replace your struts?
By not doing it's job – absorbing the shock – not having them replaced can lead to damage in the ball joints, wheel hubs, and many other components of the suspension. Without something to absorb the shock and energy of hitting a bump, it spreads throughout your car and will lead to damage.
Why do you need to change struts?
Changing old struts is an important way to keep your car stabilized at high speeds, ensuring a smooth, comfortable, and safe ride. Struts are basically a spring-mounted shock absorber that's been a basic part of car manufacturing since the 1950s.
How to remove struts from steering knuckle?
Remove these by removing the nuts from the assembly and loosening the strut.
Why does my steering knuckle strut fall off?
Since you've removed the bolts from the steering knuckle, the strut might fall loose after you remove these bolts. It might help to have a partner holding onto the strut assembly while you loosen these bolts.
How to change a tire on a car with a jack?
First, loosen the bolts securing the wheel with a lug wrench and lift the car with a jack, positioning the jack according to the Owner's Manual instructions for changing a tire. Once the car is raised, position a jack stand under the car for stability. Remove the bolts that secure the wheel and remove the wheel.
How to stabilize a car during bumps?
4. Drop the sway bar if necessary. Also called the stabilizer or the anti-roll bar, the sway bar works along with the strut assembly to stabilize the car during bumps and irregular road conditions. To do this, you need to remove the mounting bracket with a socket wrench and rotate the sway bar out of the way.
Where are the strut bolts on a car?
Open the hood and locate the strut bolts, usually a circle of three bolts on a pan in the engine compartment, to each side of the car, near the windshield. In the center of the ring of bolts will be the bolt for the strut pan itself.
Where to put a jack on a car?
Depending on the model of your car, you may also need to place your jack under the steering knuckle to raise it slightly and make the bolts visible. Once the strut bolts are out the strut and steering knuckle are separated.
What happens if a strut fails?
The strut also affects ride comfort and handling, so if it fails, you can expect your vehicle to experience drivability issues.
Why do you need to replace strut boots?
Some vehicles may require a strut boot replacement earlier than others because of varying driving habits and road conditions. For instance, off-roading vehicles frequently driven on muddy or rocky roads are more likely to experience premature wear on their shock and strut boots.
Why do strut boots have holes?
Some strut boots are designed with a hole at the top to drain out fluids that may have gotten in. However, these boots are not designed to filter out mud, which can clog the boots and affect the operation of the shocks and struts. To prevent drivability issues, worn shock and strut boots should be replaced immediately.
What is a shock and strut boot?
Shock and strut boots offer an additional layer of protection for the “polish rod” that is connected to the piston within the shock or strut. This rod slides up and down through the top of the shock shell through a heavy duty seal.
Why do shocks need a shock boot?
Road debris, dirt, and other contaminants can easily stick to the piston rod’s oily surface while the vehicle is in motion. A shock boot prevents these contaminants from building up and triggering corrosion, which may cause the shock absorber to fail over time. Strut Boots.
How much does it cost to replace strut boots?
A strut boot replacement can cost you anywhere from $10 to $80 on parts alone. The price may vary depending on the product’s brand, quantity, location, and color. Strut boots can be purchased individually or in sets. Also, expect to pay more for professional installation.
How to keep your suspension in top condition?
To keep your vehicle’s suspension in top condition, make sure to repair or replace defective parts immediately. This includes making sure that protective parts, such as shock and strut boots, are installed properly and remain intact. To keep your vehicle’s suspension in top condition, make sure to repair or replace defective parts immediately. ...
