Is It Time for New Struts? A UK Driver's Guide

The unsung heroes of your vehicle's ride quality and handling are undoubtedly its suspension components, particularly the struts and shock absorbers. These vital parts ensure a smooth journey, maintaining tyre contact with the road and providing crucial control. Neglecting their condition can lead to a host of problems, from an uncomfortable ride to dangerous loss of control. This comprehensive guide will delve into the mechanics of your suspension, help you diagnose potential issues, and explain why timely repair and professional service are paramount for your safety and your vehicle's longevity.

Understanding Your Vehicle's Suspension System

Your car's suspension system is a complex network designed to provide a comfortable ride and maintain optimal tyre contact with the road surface. It's a delicate balance between absorbing bumps and controlling vehicle movement. At its core, the system comprises several key components working in harmony:

Springs: These are typically coil springs or leaf springs, and their primary function is to absorb the energy from road imperfections such as bumps, potholes, and undulations. They compress and expand, cushioning the impact and preventing it from being directly transferred to the vehicle's chassis and occupants.

Struts: Often found on the front of modern vehicles, but sometimes on all four corners, struts are a structural part of the suspension system. They serve a dual purpose: supporting the vehicle's weight and housing the shock absorber. Essentially, a strut is a complete assembly that includes a spring seat, a coil spring, and a damping unit (the shock absorber). They are designed to control the oscillations, or the bouncing, of the springs on the vehicle. As the vehicle starts to bounce, the struts keep that bouncing under control by using pressurised gas and hydraulic fluid to react with an internal piston, providing resistance and control to the vehicle's movement.

Shock Absorbers (Shocks): While struts integrate the shock absorber, many vehicles also have separate shock absorbers, particularly on the rear. Their sole purpose is to dampen the spring's oscillations. Without shock absorbers, your car would continue to bounce excessively long after hitting a bump, leading to a very uncomfortable and uncontrollable ride. They absorb the residual movement in suspension springs, preventing the vehicle from bouncing uncontrollably.

The synergy between these components is critical. The springs absorb the initial impact, and the struts and shocks then control the subsequent bouncing motion, ensuring your tyres remain firmly on the road. This constant contact is fundamental for effective steering, braking, and overall vehicle stability.

The Critical Role of Struts: Why Worn Components Are Dangerous

It's easy to overlook your struts until problems arise, but their proper functioning is vital for both vehicle performance and your safety. Without properly maintained struts and shocks, an unexpected pothole, or even a gravel road, can actually cause the wheels of a vehicle to bounce off the ground. This loss of tyre contact can easily lead to a loss of control, significantly increasing the risk of a collision.

Beyond the immediate safety concerns, worn struts can lead to a cascade of other problems:

• Reduced Braking Efficiency: When struts are worn, the vehicle tends to dive excessively during braking, or the tyres may lose optimal contact, increasing stopping distances.
• Compromised Steering: Poorly performing struts can make steering feel loose or imprecise, requiring more effort to keep the vehicle in a straight line.
• Premature Tyre Wear: As discussed below, uncontrolled bouncing leads to uneven tyre wear, costing you more in replacement tyres.
• Increased Wear on Other Components: The added stress from a poorly damped suspension can accelerate wear on other steering and suspension parts, leading to more costly repairs down the line.
• Discomfort: A harsh, bouncy, or floaty ride significantly diminishes passenger comfort.

Though there isn't a specific maintenance period for struts, they do need to be changed as they fail and cause problems. Putting off changing your struts for too long can make your vehicle unstable to drive and can even make it unsafe. Knowing some of the initial signs of failure can help you to determine if you need struts and can keep you from having a more costly repair down the road.

Recognising the Signs: Is It Time for New Struts?

When a strut is bad, it allows the wheel and tyre assembly to bounce more than it should, and it can allow the vehicle to sway more than usual. Over time this can cause premature tyre wear and undue stress on many of your suspension and steering parts. Not replacing a bad strut will end up costing you more in the long term. Knowing what to look for when inspecting your struts can keep you from needing to purchase unnecessary parts.

Common Symptoms of Worn Struts

Choosing the Right Struts for Your Vehicle

Whether you have an extremely rough ride in your car, or the ride feels like you are floating on a cloud, you may need new struts. When you replace your struts, it is important to decide what type of strut assembly you have and what type of replacement you want. There are generally two main approaches to strut replacement:

• Strut Cartridge Replacement: This involves replacing only the internal damping cartridge within the existing strut housing. This can be a more economical option if the housing and spring are still in good condition, but it requires specialist tools like a spring compressor and can be more labour-intensive.
• Complete Strut Assembly (Quick Strut): Often referred to as a 'Quick Strut' or 'Ready Strut', this is a pre-assembled unit that includes the strut, coil spring, strut mount, and sometimes even the dust boot and bump stop. This option is generally quicker and safer to install as it eliminates the need to compress the old spring, which can be hazardous. It's often the preferred choice for convenience and for ensuring all related components are new.

Tip: When you purchase struts, you get what you pay for. Going with less expensive struts can result in a poor ride, noise, and premature failure. Investing in quality components from reputable manufacturers will ensure better performance, durability, and ultimately, better value for money.

The Strut Replacement Process: A Detailed Guide

Replacing struts is a significant mechanical task that requires appropriate tools, knowledge, and adherence to safety protocols. If you're considering a DIY approach, be aware of the complexities, especially concerning spring compression. Always refer to your vehicle's specific repair manual for torque specifications and detailed instructions.

Materials Needed (Typical)

• New strut assemblies (or cartridges and associated parts)
• Floor jack and jack stands (axle stands)
• Wheel chocks
• Ratchet and socket set
• Torque wrench
• Spring compressor (if replacing only the cartridge)
• Adjustable pliers (for cartridge replacement)
• Penetrating oil (optional, for stubborn bolts)

Step-by-Step Replacement Overview

1. Preparation: Park your vehicle on a level, hard, and flat surface. Ensure it's in a space that allows for safe working. Open the bonnet (hood) to provide access to the upper strut mounts. For rear struts, locate their mounting points, often in the boot (trunk) or accessible by removing the rear seat.
2. Loosen Wheel Nuts: Using your ratchet and a suitable socket, loosen the wheel nuts by about a quarter turn on the wheels that are going to be removed.
3. Secure Vehicle: Place wheel chocks around the wheels that are to remain on the ground. If working on the front, chock the rear wheels; if working on the rear, chock the front wheels.
4. Lift and Support: Using the floor jack, lift the vehicle using the factory jacking points, one side at a time. Position a jack stand securely under the jacking point and slowly lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests firmly on the jack stand.
5. Remove Wheels: Fully remove the loosened wheel nuts and take the wheels off your vehicle.
6. Disconnect Ancillary Components: Using the correct size socket, disconnect any brake hoses, ABS sensor wires, or sway bar connections that are attached to the strut assembly. Be careful not to damage these lines.
7. Remove Lower Strut Bolts: Remove the bolts that mount the lower part of the strut to the steering knuckle or lower control arm.
8. Remove Upper Mounting Bolts: With the lower end of the strut disconnected, support the strut assembly. Then, remove the upper mounting bolts that hold the top of the struts to the vehicle's body. Tip: Before removing the final bolt, you should attempt to hold the strut in place or have an assistant do this. If the strut is allowed to fall, it can damage other parts of the vehicle.
9. Strut Assembly Removal: Carefully pull the entire strut assembly out from the wheel well.
10. Spring Compression (if replacing cartridge): If you are using Quick Struts, you can skip this hazardous step. If replacing only the cartridge, carefully mount the spring compressor to the coil spring, following the compressor's instructions precisely. Tighten the spring compressor, alternating between sides, until the coil spring is sufficiently compressed and tension is removed from the strut. Warning: It is critically important that you follow the coil spring compressor instructions. Failure to exercise caution when changing struts can cause the coil spring to come loose with extreme force, which can cause serious injury or death.
11. Cartridge Removal (if applicable): Remove the top mounting nut on the strut. Separate the strut assembly from the coil spring. If replacing a cartridge, use adjustable pliers to remove the large nut on the top of the strut housing that secures the cartridge. Pull out the old strut cartridge; a large amount of oil will likely come out – drain it completely.
12. New Cartridge Installation (if applicable): Pour a small amount of clean engine oil (e.g., two ounces) into the strut housing to help the new strut cartridge remain cool and lubricated. Install the new strut cartridge into the housing, being sure to tighten down the nut until it is snug. Some cartridges require a spacer; follow the strut manufacturer's instructions.
13. Reassembly of Strut (if applicable): Install the strut assembly back into the coil assembly. Make sure that the coil spring end sits correctly in the indentation in the strut housing seat. Install the strut piston nut on the top of the strut and torque it to the manufacturer's specifications from a repair manual using a torque wrench.
14. Release Spring Compressor (if applicable): Loosen the coil spring compressors, alternating sides, to allow the coil spring to mount evenly. Once all tension is off the spring, carefully remove the coil spring compressor from the strut assembly.
15. Install New Strut Assembly into Vehicle: Install the new strut assembly into the vehicle by holding the strut into the wheel well and installing the upper mounting nuts by hand.
16. Tighten Mounting Bolts: Using your torque wrench, tighten the upper strut mounting nuts to manufacturer specifications from your repair manual. Install the bolts that attach the strut to the steering knuckle and tighten them to specifications.
17. Re-attach Components: Install any other suspension components or brake parts that were previously disconnected from the strut.
18. Re-attach Wheel: Install the wheel and tighten the wheel nuts in a star pattern until they are snug.
19. Lower Vehicle: Lower the vehicle to the ground by lifting it slightly with the floor jack and removing the jack stand, then fully lowering the vehicle.
20. Final Tightening: Tighten the wheel nuts to specifications using the same star pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Firestone Complete Auto Care repair worn-out struts?

Yes, indeed. While the provided details don't explicitly list 'Firestone Complete Auto Care' by name in every section, the comprehensive guide on strut replacement and the concluding advice to 'seek out one of our certified mechanics' strongly indicates that professional services, such as those offered by Firestone Complete Auto Care, are readily available for strut repair and replacement. They have the expertise, tools, and experience to safely and effectively diagnose and replace worn-out struts, ensuring your vehicle's optimal performance and your safety.

How often should struts be replaced?

There is no specific maintenance period or mileage interval for replacing struts. Their lifespan can vary significantly based on driving conditions, vehicle type, and the quality of the original parts. However, they should be inspected regularly as part of routine vehicle servicing. As a general guideline, many manufacturers suggest inspecting them around 50,000 to 80,000 miles, with replacement typically occurring between 80,000 and 100,000 miles for many vehicles, or when symptoms of wear become apparent.

Can I replace just one strut?

While technically possible, it is highly recommended to replace struts in pairs (both front or both rear, or all four). This is because struts wear out at a similar rate, and replacing only one can lead to an imbalance in your vehicle's suspension. This imbalance can negatively affect handling, braking, and steering, potentially causing uneven tyre wear and compromising vehicle alignment and stability.

What is a "Quick Strut" assembly?

A "Quick Strut" (also known as a complete strut assembly or ready strut) is a pre-assembled unit that includes the strut, coil spring, strut mount, and sometimes other components like the boot and bump stop, all ready for installation. This option simplifies the replacement process significantly, as it eliminates the need to use a dangerous spring compressor to disassemble the old strut and assemble the new one. It's often preferred for its convenience and safety benefits.

Why is wheel alignment necessary after strut replacement?

Once new struts are installed, the vehicle will absolutely need a wheel alignment. Replacing struts can alter the suspension geometry, specifically the camber and toe angles. If you do not have the vehicle aligned after replacing the struts, you will end up having uneven tyre wear problems, impaired handling, and potentially a steering wheel that isn't straight. An alignment ensures that your wheels are properly oriented relative to each other and the road for optimal performance, tyre longevity, and safety.

Conclusion

Replacing your struts can help to improve your ride quality significantly and can prolong the life of many of the parts on your vehicle. This is an important part of keeping your car in good condition and ensuring its longevity. When undertaking the job yourself, it is paramount to note the dangers of working with coil springs, so make sure you are following every precaution and using the correct tools. Some vehicles will also have air springs that must first be deflated prior to replacing the struts, adding another layer of complexity.

If replacing your struts seems to be beyond your ability, or if you prefer the peace of mind that comes with professional service, then you should seek out certified mechanics. Services like Firestone Complete Auto Care have the expertise and equipment to perform this critical maintenance safely and correctly, ensuring your vehicle remains safe, comfortable, and reliable on the road.

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