Does my car have shocks or struts?
If it is held in place by only one bolt, you’ll know you have shocks and not struts. You’ll also know you have a shock if your vehicle has an upper control arm. If the bottom portion attaches directly to the steering knuckle, it’s a strut. Another strut indicator is if the absorber is attached to a tie rod.
What happens if you don’t replace shocks and struts?
When shocks and struts begin wearing out, your ability to control your vehicle is compromised, and so is the overall comfort of your ride. In addition, failing shocks and struts can affect other parts of your car and lead to additional expensive repairs or replacements.
How do you tell if your springs or shocks are bad?
Other signs of car shocks and struts in bad condition are unusual noises over bumps, excessive body lean or sway in turns, or that the front end of the vehicle dives sharply in hard braking. Bad shocks also can affect steering control and cause uneven tire wear.
How much does it cost to replace one strut?
The average cost for a strut replacement generally runs between $450 and $900 to replace a pair. If you are just replacing a single strut, the repair price will come to between $130 and $300, while labor will cost you between $150 and $300 for the pair.
What happens when the struts go out on a car?
If ride control parts like shocks and struts are worn, they may not properly respond. Then the crash prevention systems can’t function as designed and you have less control behind the wheel. Stopping distance increases and brakes and tires wear more quickly.
Can you drive without struts?
Your car’s suspension system wouldn’t exist without struts. Stuts are the part that hold your vehicle off the ground. Without them, it would fall to the pavement. They provide support to help shock absorbers support the weight of the vehicle and give it the smooth ride you expect.
How should new struts feel?
For the first hundred or so miles after installing your new gear, the driver will notice that the suspension feels a little stiff and bouncy. Second, a brand-new passive suspension will feel especially rigid in comparison to a worn-out active suspension.
How long should 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.
How long does it take to replace one strut?
It typically takes two to three hours to replace shocks and struts, according to highly rated mechanics.