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.
All structures have forces acting on them. You should have an understanding of tensile, compressive and shear forces (see previous sheet). The part of the structure that has a tensile force acting on it is called a TIE and the part that has a compressive force acting on it is called a STRUT.
Strut implies swelling pride or pompousness; to strut is to walk with a stiff, pompous, seemingly affected or self-conscious gait: A turkey struts about the barnyard. Swagger implies a domineering, sometimes jaunty, superiority or challenge, and a self-important manner: to swagger down the street.
Struts are normally manufactured from stainless steel to eliminate the chances of rust or fiberglass, for protection against corrosive environmental factors. They are made from a long sheet of steel and often come galvanized with a zinc coating, epoxy, powder coating, paint or any other kind of finish.
The major difference between shocks and struts is that a strut is a structural part of the vehicles suspension system where a shock is not. A strut is also a pivot point for the vehicles steering system and contains a coil spring. Because of this an alignment is always needed when replacing a strut.
Strut ReplacementReplacing struts used to be a dangerous job for a DIYer. But these days you can buy a complete strut assembly that eliminates the strut/spring/mount disassembly process. These assemblies allow you to replace both of your front struts yourself in less than two hours.
Shocks and struts wear out over time as your vehicle accumulates mileage. When they fail, the results can be dangerous. Replacing shocks and struts can improve stopping performance as well as increase vehicle stability and driver control.
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. This is normal and happens primarily for two reasons: First, a new set of shocks and struts needs to be broken in just like anything else.
Yes, it is possible to drive having bad struts. A vehicle with worn-out struts can still work and ride you here and there, but you have to be really cautious and vigilant. It will obviously be a bumpy ride, but you can drive in a car with bad struts. Instead of driving around with them.
Recommended ServicesHowever, 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.
Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs or, better yet, all four, for even, predictable handling and control. After all, all four have been on the vehicle for the same number of miles and worked under the same conditions.
A strut works by absorbing the bounce of your car driving over bumps in the road. Driving with a broken strut will be extremely uncomfortable for you and your passengers, and is unsafe in an emergency. It can also damage other components in your car.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Ball Joint (Front)
- Clunking noises coming from the front suspension. One of the most common symptoms of a problem with suspension ball joints is clunking noises coming from the vehicle's front suspension.
- Excessive vibration from the front of the vehicle.
- Steering wandering to the left or right.
As shocks and bushings wear, they lose their ability to properly support the strut. The result is that the strut can bottom out. When the strut bottoms out, the metal-to-metal contact can cause a knocking sound that emanates from the front or rear wheels.
Some shock absorber manufacturers say you should replace them at 50,000 miles, but that's more for their benefit than yours. The shocks and struts improve the ride and reduce the bouncing caused by springs compressing and releasing so you don't go boing-boing down the road.
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.
To replace an individual strut, you are looking to pay anywhere from $133 and $439. To replace both the cost will usually be between $239 and $818. Your mechanic will likely recommend that your wheels be realigned as well when the struts are replaced.
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. The struts limit the resulting bouncing caused by the springs compressing and releasing.
Original Replacement Parts Vehicle manufacturers use high-quality MacPherson struts and shock absorbers. Original parts are designed to last over 100,000 miles.
With the wheels off the ground, grip the coil spring as close to the upper strut mount as possible. Push in and out on the strut and spring while watching for movement of the upper end of the strut piston rod. There should be no free movement. If there is excessive movement, the upper strut mount should be replaced.
If you're buying from autozone, it's because the aftermarket/service part companies don't sell as many of each model of strut so it costs them more to produce and they have to make a higher profit margin.
ONE STOP SOLUTIONS Shocks and Struts - Walmart.com.
The shock absorbers do wear out over time, and need to be replaced to ensure the handling of your vehicle is as safe as possible. Front Shock Absorber replacement can cost between $250 - $700 and up, depending on the type of shock absorbers and if other components need to be removed to allow access.
