Should i replace strut springs

Keep in mind that the struts have been bad on this car for over a year since we have been dating and were likely bad much longer than that. Of course I had to be the one who told her they were shot. You hit a bump and the rear of the car feels like it might reach orbit. Obviously the springs have been through more than their share of use because of the worn struts. What do you think? I wish I had been around to tell her NOT to buy it.

At least I changed the timing belt before it let go which is the worst issue these are known for. To do the job right will often require more parts than just the strut assembly e. Adding up these individual parts can amount to more than complete strut assemblies. However, complete assemblies may not be available for this car. They do get old, like all rubbery parts do, and changing them makes a big difference.

I assume this is fine as they are one of the biggest brands out there. You have convinced me that with all the other parts possibly involved, it will just be quicker, easier, and likely a better job in the end. The car is 10 years old and has close to 90, miles on it if I recall correctly. It is about double the price for the parts to go this route but I can see needing more than enough small parts to offset or nearly offset those savings.

I will tell her we need to do the complete assemblies. The AZ page includes a picture of the struts. I have pasted the link to see if you think this has everything required or not.

While coil springs support the weight of the vehicle, it's the shocks' or struts' job to prevent the bouncing. Jounce the front suspension and the rear, for that matter and count how many bounces occur after you release the vehicle. Two or more full bounces means weak shocks or struts. But what caused it? Age is likely the determining culprit. Coil springs are much more durable than shocks and struts, and many times replacing the shocks or struts will return the vehicle back to its original level of performance.

However, weak shocks and struts will take their toll on coil springs if left ignored for a long period of time. As the coils weaken, you will notice clunking or bottoming-out sounds, because the coils are not able to provide stability to the weight of the vehicle. In addition, weakened coils will damage shocks and struts, because their rebound distance will be much farther than the components were intended to perform.

Weak coils will compromise the ride height of the vehicle, and this symptom will affect the vehicle's alignment. Measuring the ride height of the vehicle and comparing that with the specifications will help you determine whether the coils are working in conjunction with the shocks and struts. Some vehicles have a long history of snapping coil springs.

This is a dangerous situation depending on the position of the break in the spring. Because coil springs are positioned near the tire, it is not all that uncommon for a broken coil spring to puncture or rub against the sidewall of a tire and cause a flat; or worse, a blowout. When inspecting coil springs, run your hands all the way around the coils, front to back.

Some coils employ a protective cover that can conceal the break; but if you run your hands around the symmetrical coil, you will feel any anomaly. Here are several signs that your car might need shock and strut replacements. Noticing these signs right away can prevent further damage to your car. Because the primary goal of struts and shocks is to prevent the amount of suspension movement, the most telling sign that you need to have them checked is if you are experiencing a bumpy ride.

Your car is designed to comfortably withstand a certain amount of movement, so if you experience bumpiness or shakiness while driving, your shocks and struts are most likely to blame. One of the first signs people notice when their car needs new shocks or struts is poor steering response.

The steering wheel will often become stiff and hard to turn, and their may be unusual noises when turning wheel. In addition to these problems, you may find that your car sways or leans on turns or when changing from one lane to the other. When struts are worn or damaged, the vehicle will often compensate in other ways. While often strut damage is better felt than seen, you might notice visibly dented or damaged struts or shocks. In addition to this physical damage, fluid leaks among struts and shocks are common when a car needs replacements.