Struts are structural members of the suspension that absorb vibration. They are connected to the car’s wheels and help support and cushion the steering and brake system.
A strut that is going bad will give you a multitude of symptoms and make your car dangerous to drive. Quite often, you will notice your car bounces more or the vehicle struggles to stay straight. That strut is no longer functioning to give the suspension that damping effect.
Other symptoms include hydraulic fluid leaking from the strut, uneven tire wear, steering wheel vibrating, etc. This can also be a sign that something is wrong with the suspension as a whole. More parts of the suspension will begin to fail.
In this article, we will show you how to detect symptoms of a bad strut, differentiate between a shock and a strut, and answer some of the questions you may have.
What are the Symptoms of Bad Shock and Strut?
The shock and car strut is different in many respects; however, they do share a lot of similarities in function. One huge similarity is in their ability to absorb shocks and vibration, providing a cushion effect to the suspension.
Oftentimes, their similarities mean that bad shock symptoms and bad strut symptoms are the same.
Below are a few of the symptoms of a bad shock and strut.
#1. Uneven tire wears.
Uneven tire wear is more of a symptom of bad strut mount, housing, or any other parts of the strut, which affects the structure of the suspension.
Also, the shocks can make the tire wear unevenly, because the shock provides a damping force to control the movement of the suspension. Once defective, the car will bounce a lot, leading to accelerated wear in the tires.
In addition, when the strut is damaged, it affects the structure of the suspension. When this happens, it could affect the alignment of the wheels, causing uneven tire wear.
#2. Unusual noises.
Once you observe that your strut or shocks are already worn out, you will start to hear obvious clunking sounds whenever you drive. It may be due to the fact that the metal parts of the suspension are making contact because of damaged struts or shocks.
#3. Vibration in the steering wheel.
A little vibration is something you should expect while driving, maybe more when driving on rough roads. But when your steering starts vibrating while driving on a good road, then you should suspect that there is something wrong with your strut or shock.
Once your strut or shock is worn out, it will no longer be able to properly absorb the motion and vibration of the suspension. It will hence lead to a bouncy or vibrating wheel, which will also start to affect the steering system.
You have to understand that the steering system is linked to the wheels, and whatever affects the wheel movements will also start to affect the steering function.
#4. The nose dived when braking.
One of the major signs that you are driving with bad struts is that your vehicle tends to continually nose-dive whenever you apply the brake while driving.
Due to worn-out or damaged parts, the strut can no longer hold the weight of your vehicle, hence the car swings more than usual, even on a smooth road.
#5. Bouncing when driving.
A car with defective shocks or struts will make for a bouncy ride as there’s nothing to soak up the impact when the road is soft. If the bumps on that specific patch of road are soft, the tires will keep bouncing and spring up when the car is driven.
#6. The car sways when cornering.
If the strut and shocks are worn, there’s no way the suspension will cope with the weight of your vehicle. Transferring that weight to the ground isn’t as easy, hence it is easy to have the cars thrown off balance when cornering.
#7. Leaking fluid.
A leaking hydraulic fluid can identify a bad front shock, but it can also point to a bad front strut. The fluid will leak when the upper seals have worn. It makes way for the thick oil to seep through the hole made by the top seal.
The seals are also getting worn, and with the brittle nature associated with using the strut and shock, it is difficult to hold on to the fluids.
What are the differences between Shock and struts?
Shocks and struts are different components that oftentimes, people often mistake for one another. It is because they are both part of the suspension system. However, they both differ in components and functionality.
Although they both help in aiding the vehicle’s handling and ride, one major difference between a shock and a strut is that the shock is the only part of the suspension itself, while the strut is a structural part of the suspension and chassis.
What is the function of a Shock?
The basic function of a shock absorber is to control the movement or bounce of the suspension system. It does this by either converting the kinetic movement created by the suspension into thermal energy (heat), which is collected by the hydraulic fluid.
Many people misunderstand what a shock does. One misunderstanding of shocks is that it supports the vehicle’s weight.
How does a shock absorber work? A shock absorber creates resistance based on the speed of suspension and tiny orifices in the piston.
The faster it moves, the more resistance the shock creates. Therefore, the shock is a velocity-sensitive hydraulic damping component.
The absorber reduces the amount of bounce in the suspension, brake dive, and acceleration squat.
Components of the shock
One way to differentiate between a shock and a strut is to look at the parts that make up a shock. They are as follows.
- Mount: The mount is the part of the shock that attaches to the body of the vehicle and the suspension. It has the upper and lower mounts of the same configuration, which holds shock.
- Bushing: The bushing is the part of the shock that absorbs vibration. It is made of rubber or urethane parts and can be seen on the mounting.
- Piston rod: It has openings that will ensure that concentricity between the moving and stationary parts exists as the former slides up and down.
- Cylinder: It is the actual body of the shock and is where the compression oil and a piston, which moves within the cylinder, exist.
- Coil spring: The coil spring does not always go along with a shock absorber, as it is mostly part of a strut.
What is the function of a strut?
Strut the hardened suspension damper in most recent independent suspension on front wheel drive units and also occasionally as fitted to many rear-wheel-drive cars. Refer also to the shock absorber.
Struts perform nearly the same damping function as the cushioned shock above. The strut uses a piston, which is attached to the end of the piston rod, for is also generally attached to the hydraulic fluid thus exerting control over the spring and suspension movement.
The difference then, between shock and strut is that the latter performs the additional function of providing structural support for the suspension, holding the spring and also the tire at an angle.
Struts also carry a major part of the load on the suspension coming from the weight of the vehicle body; the shock does not do it does not form a main support to the vehicle’s weight.
Components of the strut
Strut housing: The strut housing delivers a container, support for the strut assembly and the damping units that moderate the movements of the spring.
Coil Spring: The coil spring bears the weight of the vehicle and absorbs the vibrations in the suspension.
Bump stop and Boot: The stop bumps act to soften the upper ends of the suspension and absorb shocks. Protects the two metals allowed to rub against each other from being eroded.
Spring seat: The ride of the vehicle with this part. The spring seat make its with tightly coiled springs, cushioned by the seat itself, which absorbs part of the energy created by the bump and the recoil of the spring.
Is it OK to drive with bad shocks or struts?
If you take a look at the symptoms of driving with bad shocks or struts, you get the idea that driving in such conditions could be dangerous.
The first thing that could be noticed is that they do not handle well. Swaying and bouncing more and in general reduces its handling. This reduces the driving experience.
As mentioned before, the steering system is tied to the car’s wheels.
Our car’s wheels are tied to the suspension. Within that system, we’ve got the strut and the shock. If something is wrong with our suspension due to shock or struts, then our steering system.
It is very hard then to keep the vehicle under control, as the strut or shocks will worsen with wear. The bounciness of the car will only get worse, and so it will keep losing control when cornering.
Then, the other part of the suspension will follow until the suspension has failed.
The wheels only connect and carry the vehicle’s entire weight without the proper suspension.
The car cannot go sometimes in a straight line, but rather will wander around. The steering system will fail to work correctly in the process.
Once you notice that the struts or shocks are faulty, it is best just to go ahead and have these done before it negatively impacts the suspension.
How do you know Bad Shock or Bad Strut?
You can know if the shock or strut is bad by examining the vehicle for the signs of a bad shock or bad strut described above. Also, the strut or shock can be inspected if you suspect a problem with it.
How to tell if struts are bad by looking at them?
To do so, look at the wheels. Inspect the tire for uneven wear. Do that by comparing the tire tread to the wear bar on the tire.
The wear bar is on the tire between the treads. Your tire is worn out if the tread is on the same level as the wear bar. That doesn’t constitute uneven wear, though.
When the edges of the tire feel smoother than the rest of the tire tread, there is uneven wear. In most instances, it would be as a result of a bad strut or shock.
If you are still suspicious, look at the wheels for leaks, especially from the front wheels. The leaks will come from the top of the suspension. You can check the leak by touching the top part of the suspension. If you feel hydraulic fluid, then the strut or shock must be bad.
Further, you could look for other signs as mentioned previously, such as a clunking noise from the suspension, the car bouncing when driving, and nose-diving on braking, among others. If you are still looking for more, take off the tires and inspect the struts or shocks.
What will happen if you drive with Bad Shock or Struts?
So, assuming you continue to drive your car with a bad strut or shock, here’s what happens: a completely ruined suspension. The car cannot move on a straight path, and it will be more costly to repair.
Is it still driving with a bad shock or struts? In other words, this is driving with compromised handling and steering control. It is even more risky as you could lose total control of the car or the car may tumble, especially when cornering.
Even moving on a smooth road, the vehicle will be bouncy. Other times, the steering will gradually lose command, and you may notice a vibration in the steering wheel while driving.
With a bad strut or shock, the minute you leave it, there is a more pertinent problem waiting for you: suspension problems. As the car bounces about, other parts of the suspension system also begin to witness fast wear, culminating in total suspension failure.
How Long Can You Drive with Bad Struts?
Yes, folks do drive with bad struts or shocks for some time, but it is not so advisable. It is uncomfortable and too damaging to the suspension.
Shocks And Struts Replacement Cost: How Much?
Expect to pay anywhere from $200 – 600 to replace each pair of shocks, depending on the model year and make of car you drive. Replacing the car’s struts will cost from $400 – 1000, depending on the model of your particular car.
Final Words
The strut and the shock are two different suspension components with a similar objective, but the struts make sure to support as well.
Cars also come with just the struts or just the shocks, some made with both. That is why when the struts/shocks take a hit, they may present the same symptoms; they are both suspension components with the same responsibility!