Top Picks For Strut Related Parts

Vehicles today use different types of suspensions. Strut is one such component that is used in modern independent suspension systems. With the advent of smaller and front-wheel-drive vehicles, the underhood space became important, as they didn't have enough room for old suspension systems. As a result, the MacPherson strut system was incorporated into vehicles and is still used widely in front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles. Unlike typical SLA (short-arm/long-arm suspensions) struts led to the elimination of the upper control arm, which made the suspension system lighter and simpler, saving a lot of space. 

The primary purpose of a strut is to act as a shock absorber and provide a damping action to offer a comfortable ride. It also supports the weight of the vehicle and holds the wheels in an aligned position. MacPherson strut is the most widely used strut by auto manufacturers and it uses the top of the telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. The strut also handles lateral loads while cornering.

Strut mounts attach the struts to your vehicle and insulate the vibrations and noise generated. Strut mounts act as a link between the shock absorber and the body of the vehicle and comprise bearings, mounting plates, mounting nuts, and bolts. The strut mount bearings allow rotation with the front wheel while turning left or right and the mounts also offer good sound insulation to keep the road noises and vibrations from entering the cabin. The rubber cushion ensures that there is no metal-to-metal contact between the strut and the body.

Strut mounts play a very important role in the overall ride quality and the driving characteristics of the vehicle. The density of the insulating materials changes with age and the bearing wears out, which can lead to noise and vibrations. A worn-out or damaged mount can lead to various symptoms and they should be replaced. You will have to disassemble the entire strut and spring assembly to change the strut mounts if they fail. Therefore, it is a good habit to change your strut mounts whenever you replace the struts on your vehicle. There are several benefits to replacing your worn-out strut mounts.

Improved Ride Quality

Strut mounts play an important role in noise and vibration reduction, offering a smooth and comfortable ride.

Proper Alignment

Worn strut mounts and bearing plates can adversely affect the steering and prevent strut movement, which can lead to incorrect wheel alignment angles and difficulty turning the wheels. Replacing your strut mounts avoids such a situation and prevents premature tire wear and component fatigue.

Increased Life

Replacing the strut mounts with new ones can significantly increase the lifespan of any vehicle strut assembly. They keep the shocks and impacts away by offering a cushion and hold the strut assembly in place and prevent it from loosening.

The function of a coil spring is extremely important in suspensions, providing comfort, handling, and load-bearing capacity in the modern vehicle. The coil spring is an integral component of the MacPherson strut suspension and is designed with variable spring rates for increased load-bearing capacity. Coil springs are engineered with different stiffness according to the purpose because off-road vehicles need more suspension travel and use softer springs, whereas track and race cars require stiffer coil springs for better tire grip. Coil springs also determine the amount of suspension travel, ride, and ground clearance, making them a very important component.

Prolonged exposure to water, road salt dust, and other conditions take their toll on the suspension components. While changing the strut or shock absorbers of your vehicle, you should always check your coil springs too. Any symptom like vehicle sag, tire wear, underside noise, excessive bouncing, or vehicle sway can be a sign of a failing or bad coil spring. It is essential that you act on the matter and change the worn-out coil springs of your vehicle. For your vehicle to ride at an even level and to support its own weight, the coil springs have to be in optimum condition because driving around with a bad coil spring can be dangerous. It is also recommended to change your coil springs in pairs so they perform equally and offer a level ride height.

Shock absorbers are hydraulic components that control the impact and rebound movement of the coil springs of your suspensions. The role of a shock absorber is to ensure your vehicle tires remain in contact with the road to ensure safe braking and control. The contact patch of the tires on your vehicle increases and decreases as you ride on the road and uneven surfaces. Shock absorbers ensure a proper contact patch is maintained so the steering and braking aren't compromised. 

Worn-out suspensions can rob you of a smooth and comfortable ride. This problem is not restricted to a smooth ride because a worn-out front shock can also lead to several mechanical problems. Front shocks, just like other suspension components, do not come with an expiry date and can snap anytime depending on how you drive. If you are experiencing a bumpy ride, braking problems, excessive dip or squat, steering problems and unusual tread wear, the front shocks of your vehicle might be bad. You can also spot a bad front shock if you see any fluid leaks. Decades ago, the rule of thumb was to change the shock absorbers every 80,000 kilometers. Although the technology and quality of the shocks have improved and they last longer, it is necessary to watch out for these symptoms and check for damage while replacing the struts and suspensions of your vehicle.

Shock mounts work as attachment points for shock absorbers and insulate the vehicle from noise and vibrations. The insulation component in the shock mounts comprises rubber bonded to the metal for cushioning. It consists of a rubber-like noise-insulating material sandwiched between the shock absorber and the vehicle body. As the wheels move up and down, the mount cushions the impact and reduces the jarring effect, noise, and vibrations, and keeps them from entering the vehicle's cabin.

Shock mounts can wear off due to rust, design defects, and prolonged operation. Shock mounts are a perfect replacement for these and they come with all the necessary hardware required for the repair. It includes insulators, spacers, and other suspension-related hardware. The shock mounts and the rubber can split, crack, harden, or deteriorate, which can lead to excessive clearance and metal-to-metal contact. Bad shock mounts can lead to noise, steering, and handling problems and they should be replaced as soon as possible for smoother steering and reduced noise and vibrations. You can also opt for aftermarket shock mounts that are designed with quality materials to exceed OE standards and are very durable.