What does bad struts sound like?

Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You'll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road. Most front strut assemblies also have a bearing at the top.
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What are the symptoms of a bad strut?

The Warning Signs Of Worn Shocks And Struts
  • Instability at highway speeds. ...
  • Vehicle “tips” to one side in turns. ...
  • The front end dives more than expected during hard braking. ...
  • Rear-end squat during acceleration. ...
  • Tires bouncing excessively. ...
  • Unusual tire wear. ...
  • Leaking fluid on the exterior of shocks or struts.
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Can you drive a car with bad struts?

Struts on the front-end of your vehicle are also crucial for steering and alignment. 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.
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How much does it cost for struts to be replaced?

To replace a pair of struts, the total cost on average is between $400 and $1000, including wheel alignment. An individual strut assembly costs approximately $150 to $350, while the labor cost is $100 to $300 for a pair.
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How do I know if I need new struts?

When struts are worn or damaged, the vehicle will often compensate in other ways. You may notice a “nose-diving” sensation as well as instability while braking. If you feel a lurch forward while braking, you'll need to have your struts and shocks checked out by a mechanic.
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What Bad Strut Mounts (with built in bearings) Sound Like



How do you diagnose a bad strut bearing?

Symptoms of a faulty strut mount
  1. Abnormal noises coming from the steering and suspension system. ...
  2. Premature and/or uneven tire wear.
  3. Accelerated wear of shock absorbers.
  4. Excessive vibration.
  5. Poor wheel/tire alignment.
  6. Poor steering return.
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What happens when struts go bad?

Worn-out shocks and struts will hamper your car's ability to grip the road to the point where they cause understeering or oversteering. If you are forced to understeer or oversteer your car, you can cause an accident.
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Is it worth it to replace struts?

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.
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Can bad struts cause shaking?

If you see any signs of damage or excessive play, it is probably faulty and should be replaced. Similarly, loose shock mounts, damaged or detached springs and leaking shocks or struts can cause vibration in the steering wheel.
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Will a bad strut make a popping noise?

noise while driving: a knocking or thumping noise — especially over bumps — can indicate worn struts. bad front strut bearings may also cause a popping noise or a binding feeling when the steering wheel is turned.
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Can struts make a grinding noise?

Shocks and struts are cushioned by rubber bushings which, over time, will wear out. This will cause a rattling and banging noise when the vehicle rides over bumps and rough road conditions. A scraping or grating noise is caused by a broken shock.
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Do worn struts squeak?

Evidence of a damaged or leaking shock or strut is an easy clue that it's probably time for some suspension work. Your vehicle squeaks. Bumps, potholes, getting in and out of the vehicle and braking can cause your suspension to protest loudly.
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How often should you replace struts?

Generally, shocks and struts wear out every 50,000-100,000 miles. If you're a more aggressive driver and/or frequently drive on rough roads, they will wear out faster. Shocks and struts don't go out all at once; they deteriorate slowly over time.
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Why does my car creak when I go over bumps?

There are a number of signs that a ball joint is damaged. As well as creaky cornering, you may also hear a knocking sound when going over bumps. Worn out ball joints can also impact on handling. If your car is drifting to one side or the steering feels looser than normal, this is possibly caused by damaged ball joints.
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Why does my car creak when I drive slow?

This type of low pitched noise tends to be caused by wheel bearings that are just beginning to wear out, or a CV joint that might be losing lubrication as well. It could also indicate a problem with tie rods or other steering system components that are wearing out.
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Why is my car squeaking when I drive slow?

Why does my car squeak when driving slowly? Brake pads and discs that have been fitted poorly or are worn down will often cause a squeaking noise when you drive slowly. When you press the brake pedal, the brake caliper clamps around the pad, applying pressure to slow down the movement.
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What does it sound like when you need new struts?

Strut noise

Some worn-out struts (but not all) will make noises that can alert you to their declining state. Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You'll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road.
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What can cause a rattling noise under a car?

Rattling from under your car– This can be caused by loose parts such as your exhaust system. Squealing wheels while braking– Causes range from small, such as dirt on the brake pads or rotors, to serious, such as worn pads. Brake noises are safety issues and require immediate attention.
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How do I know if my strut bushings are bad?

Signs of a Bad Strut Mount
  1. Weird Noises. If you hear clunking or squeaking coming from the suspension system while driving, this could mean the mount has worn out. ...
  2. Uneven Tire Wear. ...
  3. Excessive Vibration. ...
  4. Steering Issues. ...
  5. Corrosion. ...
  6. Worn Rubber. ...
  7. Excessive Movement. ...
  8. Worn Struts.
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Why is my car shaking at 60 mph?

Tires. Tires are the most common reason a car shakes when it reaches 60-mph. Tire balance, or lack thereof, makes the steering shake as the car increases in speed. Typically, the shaking begins as an automobile gets to 55 mph and only becomes more problematic as the speedometer increases to 60 or more.
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Why does my car feel wobbly on the highway?

If the tires and wheels spin true and you still have a problem, then you should have a mechanic look at the vehicle. The most common cause of vehicle shakes at 50 mph or higher is tire balance. Again, transmission or drive lines can cause this, but the tires should be the first thing to have checked.
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What causes vibration at 70mph?

Wheel balance

Tyres that are out of balance will cause a vehicle to vibrate at higher speeds (usually around 50–70mph). A tyre is out of balance when one section of the tyre is heavier than another.
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What would cause a vibration in a car at highway speeds?

The most prevalent cause of vibration is problems with your wheels or tires. The potential problems include improper wheel and tire balance, uneven tire wear, separated tire tread, out of round tires, damaged wheels and even loose lug nuts.
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