What Happens If You Don’t Replace Struts?

Whether your car has struts or shocks, they are an important part of its suspension system.  They change other types of automotive shocks and are normally used because they make suspension systems more affordable.  They are mounted inside coil springs, acting as “shock absorbers.”  They help minimize excessive bouncing created by bumps, dips, and peaks in the road and when making a hard stop. 

Normally, struts will often last the life of a vehicle if you don’t abuse them.  In spite of that, some auto mechanics recommend replacing car struts about every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on a great deal on how and where you drive.  Driving consistently over bumpy streets roads, they will want to be replaced more often than if you drive short distances on level roads.  

So what happens if you don’t replace struts?  The main issue with worn out struts is that it compromises the safety of your vehicle, resulting from the issues that can develop, such as:

• Poor steering response.
• Car sways when cornering lanes.
• Tires bouncing excessively when driving.
• Braking performance is decreased.
• Sudden braking causes the car to “nose-dive”.
• Tire wear is accelerated, and “cupping” can happen.
• Hydraulic fluid may be leaking from the shock.

Knowing how to recognize the warning signs of bad struts is crucial for driving safety, but replacing them when needed will increase braking performance, vehicle stability, and control of your vehicle.  

Wondering what happens if you don’t replace struts when necessary?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about how the suspension system affects car axles, and to request an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves car owners in Canby, OR, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering what are Signs of a Bad Axle?

There are some different signs of a bad axle, all of which are fairly obvious as it significantly impacts how your car handles while driving down the road.  You may be worried how it affects the car struts and shocks.  

Are you wondering what are signs of a bad axle?  Here are the most common signs:

• Wobble and Vibration While Driving – Excessive vibration after hitting a deep pothole, running over a curb, or other objects in the road, causing unusual rumbling noise underside the vehicle, tire wobbling, sluggish driving, could be an indicator of a damaged axle. Vibrations may be particularly noticeable while accelerating, slowing down, or turning.  If the axle is damaged enough to cause vibrating, it usually wants to be replaced.
• Loud Clunking or Clanking – If you hear loud clunking as you put your vehicle into gear or if your vehicle struggles for power as it starts to move, there may be axle damage.  Adequate power from the transmission cannot be transferred to the wheels due to slack in the joints. A loud clunking noise can also be an indicator of transmission failure, so be sure to have it checked out.
• Leaking Grease – Leaking grease underside the vehicle or on the inside tire edge can mean a leaking axle boot or CV boot. A leaking axle boot does not necessarily mean that the axle has been damaged, but a lack of grease can cause future issues.  If dirt gets through a broken joint cover, it can cause failure to the axle. Axle boots and boot clamps are easily visible underside a vehicle and should be checked regularly. 
• Brakes – If a bent axle makes the wheels wobble, it can lead to brake failure due to the brake pads becoming misaligned with the wheels.

Of course, if the axle is completely broken, you will go now here.  The engine may be running, but your car can’t move without the transfer of power from the transmission.  Axles are as vital to a correctly functioning and safe vehicle as much as the engine, steering, car struts, and tires. 

Do you want to know what are signs of a bad axle? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about car axles, car struts, brakes, and more, and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

What are the Symptoms of a Bad Strut?

Is your vehicle’s ride not quite as comfortable as it once was?  You may be noticing that your car is bouncing more than it used to when you drive over potholes and bumps in the road.  Your car seems to “lunge” forward when you step on the brake pedal.  Are you wondering what is wrong?  Is it an issue with the shocks or struts?  What about the other components of your vehicle’s suspension system, including the car axles?

So what are the symptoms of a bad strut?  Here are a few problems to be aware of when your car struts or shocks are wearing out:

1. Excessive bouncing when hitting a bump.
2. Vehicle nosedives forward when braking or accelerating.
3. Tire "cupping" as the rubber wears off the tire every time it hits the ground.
4. Leaking hydraulic fluid from inside the shock.

What causes a strut to go bad?  Shocks or struts do wear out over time in the normal course of driving as the miles add up on your vehicle.  But if you are consistently driving over bumpy streets, hitting potholes, or other obstacles in the road, they will wear out even more speedily.  When struts go bad, the results can be risky, as it impacts the steering and stopping the performance of your vehicle, as well as adding stress to the car axles.  

You don’t have to worry about these problems any longer than it takes to get your vehicle to your auto repair shop.  Replacing your car’s struts or shocks as needed will increase stopping the performance as well as increase the safety of your vehicle!

Need to know more about what are the symptoms of a bad strut?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about suspension systems, including car axles, and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.