What are the parts of a strut?
A complete strut assembly is a combination of two main parts: a spring and a shock absorber. (Sometimes the term strut refers to the shock absorber portion only, but other times the term is used to denote the entire assembly including the spring).
What is the top part of a strut called?
In a car, a strut is a shock absorber that is built into an assembly with the coil spring and the top mount, called a strut mount, see the illustration. A top strut mount connects the strut to the vehicle’s body or frame.
What are the front end components?
Depending on the vehicle, your front end assembly may include tie rod ends, idler arms, pitman arms, a rack and pinion, ball joints, and shocks or struts. There are also a number of other parts that can fail.
What comes with a complete strut assembly?
A loaded strut, or complete strut assembly, is the entire MacPherson strut replacement unit that includes the coil spring, isolator pads, jounce bumper, top strut mount and bearing, and the strut itself.
How do you test front end components?
To inspect it, you will need to place a bar between the bottom of the tire and the ground. Have an assistant pull up and down on the bar while you watch the ball joint. If there is play in the joint, or if the ball appears to pop in and out of the joint, then it needs to be replaced.
How much does a strut assembly cost?
A typical shock and strut replacement can set you back anywhere between $450 and $1,100 on parts and labor combined. An individual shock and strut assembly costs around $150 to $900, while estimated labor costs for replacing a shock and strut assembly can range anywhere from $150 to $300 per assembly.
What does a front strut assembly do for a car?
Your front strut assembly is specifically designed to keep your auto cruising smoothly by absorbing the forces caused by road irregularities. There are independent suspension systems like the MacPherson strut that use front suspension in the assembly.
How does the caster work on a strut suspension?
On a car with upper and lower control arms (as opposed to some strut suspensions that have only a lower control arm), the spindle pivots on the axis determined by the upper and lower ball joints. Caster is the forward or rearward tilt of the spindle on this axis as viewed from the side of the car.
How does front suspension work without an upper control arm?
A strut front suspension without an upper control arm uses an adjustable upper strut mount known as a camber plate to adjust camber and caster. When viewed from the side, if the upper ball joint is behind (toward the back of the car) the lower ball joint, the car has positive caster.
What are the symptoms of a busted strut assembly?
Common symptoms of a busted strut assembly include excessive auto bouncing and oil leakage. If you experience any of these symptoms, invest in replacement strut assemblies as soon as you can. Hate the bumpy feeling that your car makes you go through when you’re driving on rough roads? Get rid of it by installing a set of Shocks & Struts today.