Struts work together with shock absorbers to cushion the car and its passengers from bumpy roads. They also help keep the tires on the road and play a role in how well the car handles. While it’s normal for struts to gradually wear out, if you drive your car often on bumpy, winding or gravel roads, you’ll likely need to replace your struts sooner. If you notice some common signs of worn-out struts, it’s time to take your car to a mechanic.
Take your car out for a test drive. Brake. Determine whether the front end of the car dives when you brake. Accelerate. Note whether the rear end of the car “squats” when you accelerate. If these two things occur, you may need new struts.
Drive your car on a rough road with a lot of turns and bumps. When you drive it around a corner, determine whether the car sways, rolls or simply doesn’t handle properly. Drive over bumps (with your stereo muted) to determine whether the car “thumps” or rattles. You may need new struts if your car does not handle properly.
Perform a bounce test. Turn the engine off. Go to the hood of the car and bounce the front end up and down. If the car takes a long time to stop bouncing up and down on its own (more than three bounces), the struts may need to be replaced. If you’re unsure of the results of this test, ask your mechanic to perform it for you.
Take the car to your mechanic and ask him to go for a test drive with you so that you can point out any suspicious noises or handling problems. Or you may wish to go to two or more mechanics to get different price quotes. The mechanic can examine your struts and tell you definitively whether your struts need to be replaced.
