To check your struts, push down on the front corner of your vehicle, (the side you want to inspect the strut on). When you give the front corner one good push down, it should bounce up, then slightly down and stop. If it continues to bounce, the struts are worn out.
Full Answer
How do you remove the strut on a VW Golf?
Volkswagen makes a special tool for spreading the housing and removing the strut but you can use a 3/8 to Â1/4 step down bit or a 7mm Allen to insert in the lower part of the housing and turn to spread it open (yellow arrow).
What are the front struts on a VW GTI called?
The front struts, or sometimes called front shocks, dampen the ride of your Volkswagen GTI MkIV and keep it rolling smoothly down the road. When they begin to wear, ride quality and vehicle handling suffers.
How do you check the struts on a Ford Ranger?
To check your struts, push down on the front corner of your vehicle, (the side you want to inspect the strut on). When you give the front corner one good push down, it should bounce up, then slightly down and stop.
How do I know if my struts need replacing?
If you notice that your vehicle is not smooth over bumps or feels soft when cornering, this could be an indicator of worn struts. To check your struts, push down on the front corner of your vehicle, (the side you want to inspect the strut on). When you give the front corner one good push down, it should bounce up, then slightly down and stop.
Where are the struts located?
Most straightforwardly defined, the struts are a structural component of most modern independent suspension systems and serve as a connection point between the wheel and the vehicle body. They are mounted at the top of the chassis at the front-end of most front-wheel-drive vehicles.
How do you check front struts?
0:593:08How to Check Shocks and Struts in Your Car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow the last way to check struts a simple just go under the wheel well. Pick up the top tuned on theMoreNow the last way to check struts a simple just go under the wheel well. Pick up the top tuned on the strut. And feel inside on the rod.
Where is the strut top mount located?
Fitted on cars equipped with Macpherson type struts, the top strut mount attaches the top of the strut to the vehicle's chassis. Its purpose, however, extends far beyond a simple mount. Indeed the top strut mount has two main roles; it insulates the strut from the vehicle, reducing both noise and vibration.
How do I know if my upper struts are bad?
Signs of a Bad Strut MountWeird Noises. If you hear clunking or squeaking coming from the suspension system while driving, this could mean the mount has worn out. ... Uneven Tire Wear. ... Excessive Vibration. ... Steering Issues. ... Corrosion. ... Worn Rubber. ... Excessive Movement. ... Worn Struts.More items...•
What does a broken strut 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.
What will bad struts do to a car?
Reduced braking efficiency – Worn shocks and struts can have an adverse effect on the performance of your brakes. Your vehicle's stopping distance may increase, which can be critical in an emergency braking situation. You're also at increased risk of skidding on wet roads.
Is it hard to replace struts?
Like replacing shocks and struts. It's not a job that you should attempt if you're not familiar working with vehicles, but with a little training and experience, you'll be ready to tackle the job. In most cases, it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours to get back on the road again.
Should you replace all 4 struts at once?
Shocks and struts should always be replaced in pairs (front axle or rear axle), and it's even better to replace the shocks/struts on all four wheels at one time. This helps maintain reliable handling and a consistent response on both sides of the vehicle.
How many struts are on a car?
All cars have four struts/shocks; one at each wheel. Most modern cars and SUVs have struts in the front suspension and shocks or struts in the back.
What does it cost to replace struts?
On average, expect to pay somewhere between $450 and $900 to replace a pair of struts. An individual strut assembly will cost about $150 to $300 so you're looking at around $300 to $600 for parts alone. Labor alone will set you back about $150 to $300 for the pair.
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.
Can you drive with bad strut mounts?
While many mechanics and experts advise you not to drive with a faulty strut mount, the truth is you can still drive with it. However, your ride will be uncomfortable. You need to note that it'll expose your car to uneven tire wear, makes strange noises, and can lead to accelerated system wear or cause collisions.
How do you know when struts need to be replaced?
What Are the Signs that My Vehicle Needs New Shocks or Struts?Bumpy ride. The most obvious sign of a problem with your shocks or struts is that your car is giving you a much more uncomfortable ride than normal. ... Steering problems. ... Braking problems. ... Fluid leaks. ... Unusual tire tread wear. ... Mileage.
How do you inspect a strut?
0:204:38Tips From Monroe On How To Inspect Your Struts and Dampers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd as a result the liquid is left and without the liquid the shock or strut is not going to workMoreAnd as a result the liquid is left and without the liquid the shock or strut is not going to work properly. I usually like to look in this area here up towards the top of the strut.
How do you know when to replace struts?
Several common signs can warn you that shock absorbers or struts need replacing, such as when your vehicle bottoms out over railroad tracks, speed bumps or dips in the road, or it keeps bouncing well after the fact.
How do I know if my front suspension is bad?
Signs of a Worn SuspensionClunking Noises When Hitting a Bump. ... Bumpy Ride. ... Hovering Front End. ... Irregular Tire Wear. ... Noticeable Vibrations While Driving. ... Erratic Braking. ... Fluid Leakage. ... Irregular Tire Wear.
How to tell if struts are worn?
If you notice that your vehicle is not smooth over bumps or feels soft when cornering, this could be an indicator of worn struts. To check your struts, push down on the front corner of your vehicle, (the side you want to inspect the strut on).
What are front shocks on a GTI?
The front struts, or sometimes called front shocks, dampen the ride of your Volkswagen GTI MkIV and keep it rolling smoothly down the road. When they begin to wear, ride quality and vehicle handling suffers. If you notice that your vehicle is not smooth over bumps or feels soft when cornering, this could be an indicator of worn struts.
Can you replace all four springs on a car?
You can also replace all four springs on your car with performance springs, giving it a slightly lower stance and stiffer handling. If you are planning on installing performance struts or springs make sure you install them in matching pairs.
Is Volkswagen micro single use?
All of the hardware (nuts and bolts) are single use only. Volkswagen micro encapsulates their hardware with a binding agent and even though lots of people clean up the threads, apply some blue Loctite and reuse the bolts, Pelican recommends you purchase all new hardware.
Do you need an impact wrench?
If you have a 13/16 spark plug socket with a squared off end simply place the spark plug socket (red arrow) down over the 21mm nut (13/16 and 21mm are the same size).
