Your vehicle's struts should be checked once a year, usually in conjunction with a wheel alignment. Under normal conditions, the shock absorber portion -- the strut cartridge -- wears out gradually and you may not notice incremental losses in ride quality, handling and control.
Experts recommend having your vehicle's shocks and struts inspected every 12,500 miles and replaced every 50,000* miles. It's relatively easy to determine when tires, brakes and windshield wipers are worn out
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.
7 Signs Of Worn Shocks And Struts On Your Car
By not doing it’s job absorbing the shock not having them replaced can lead to damage in the ball joints, wheel hubs, and many other components of the suspension. Without something to absorb the shock and energy of hitting a bump, it spreads throughout your car and will lead to damage.
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. In some climates, they can also rust.
Driving with failing shocks or struts has a direct impact on your ability to control your vehicle. You may notice that your vehicle bounces excessively, rolls or sways abruptly when making a turn, or that you feel out of control when hit by a cross wind. Struts are typically installed in conjunction with the front wheels, but depending on a vehicle’s setup and driveline, they can also be mounted at the rear wheels. Just as there are different types of cars, there are different types of struts. Can I drive with a damaged strut? No. It needs to be repaired as soon as possible. A strut works by absorbing the bounce of your car driving over bumps in the road.
Strut removal & installation potentially changes the position of the tire alignment. Some struts have adjustment slots to perform the alignment with. All struts affect alignment in some way so it’s best to check the specific vehicle service manual and specifications. You cannot substitute one for the other. If your vehicle uses struts, you cannot replace them with shocks. A shock is the piece of the suspension system that helps coil springs absorb the impact of the road. It’s the shock’s job to take the bounce out of the movement of the car.
Shocks and struts are reliable last much longer than many other parts in your car, but they’ll still need to be replaced with time. Shocks and struts should always be replaced at the same time. Unlike some steering and suspension components, the left and right shocks/struts tend to wear down at the same rate.
Just like replacing your brakes or tires, you should replace your shocks in pairs. However, you don’t need to replace the front and rear shocks at the same time. As long as you replace both fronts or both rears at the same time, you’ll be fine.
This, in turn, may cause premature wear to not only shocks and struts but also to tires and other suspension parts. Worn bushings can cause problems like noise, excessive bouncing and poor handling. Friction, age, high temperatures, weight load stress and exposure to salt and oil can cause bushings to crack and wear.
Worn Suspension
If your vehicle’s shocks, struts or other suspension components are worn out, your car may shake or bounce excessively going down the road.
Unusual noises – When shocks and struts are worn out you may hear a clunking or knocking sound. This sound is caused by metal-to-metal contact when the shock or strut bottoms out when hitting a bump. In addition, these noises could be a result in worn shock or strut mounting components.
Most Mileage Car FAQ
It is extremely unusual for cars to last over 500,000 miles (804,672 kilometers). It’s less unusual for cars to go over 300,000 miles (482,803 kilometers) without encountering major repairs though.
What mileage is too high for a used car?
What is considered high mileage on a car? Often, 100,000 miles is considered a cut-off point for used cars because older vehicles often start requiring more expensive and frequent maintenance when mileage exceeds 100,000.
Can struts make a popping noise? Step 1 – A strut or shock is designed to dampen unwanted vehicle motion, if these components wear they will become loose or leak which can create popping, banging, and rattling noises.
Every part on your car starts wearing out the moment you drive it off the showroom floor. And as this wear happens, your car won’t perform the way it once did. You might notice it doesn’t turn as sharp as it once did. You might feel as if your vehicle is a little squirmier on rainy roads
Signs of a Worn Suspension
1. Clunking Noises When Hitting a Bump. …
2. Bumpy Ride. …
3. Hovering Front End. …
4. Irregular Tire Wear. …
5. Noticeable Vibrations While Driving. …
6. Erratic Braking. …
7. Fluid Leakage. …
8. Irregular Tire Wear
Look underneath your vehicle.
In many cases, shocks will look like a spring or pump. Struts, on the other hand, are usually mounted horizontally and will appear as an extension of the wheel. It’s important to check both front and rear wheels as you might have both shocks and struts.
Let Us Do A Comprehensive Pre-Purchase Inspection Before You Buy Audi In Dubai. We Save You Headache & Money. At Avenue Auto Services We Have Qualified Audi Repair & Service Technicians, Who Can Inspect A Pre Owned Audi Thoroughly And Present You A Comprehensive Inspection Report. Which Helps You To Make A Better Decision On Your Investment To Buy Audi In Dubai.
If You’re In Al Quoz, Dubai. Avenue Auto Services is Auto Repair Experts In German, American, European & Luxury Cars. Avenue Is Your Only Stop For The Top Of The Line Automotive Repair Work.
©2025 Best Avenue Autos. All Rights Reserved.
