Your local parts counter & repair shop Open Mon to Sat, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Suspension & steering · Updated · 1 minute read

Signs of Bad Struts: What to Watch For

1234
  1. 1
    Strut mount Sits at the top, with a bearing inside.
  2. 2
    Coil spring Carries the weight of the vehicle.
  3. 3
    Strut body The damper that controls the bounce.
  4. 4
    Lower bracket Bolts to the steering knuckle.
A complete strut assembly, the way it sits beside the wheel.

The signs of bad struts are a bouncy ride, a front end that dips when you brake, and clunks over bumps. If you spot any of them, have the suspension checked soon.

Struts wear out slowly. The ride gets worse bit by bit, so it’s easy to miss.

Here’s what to watch for:

  • Bouncing: the car keeps moving up and down after a bump
  • Nose dive: the front end drops hard when you brake
  • Leaning: the body rolls or sways in turns
  • Clunking: you hear knocks or rattles over bumps

Look at the car too. Fluid on the outside of a strut often means a seal has failed. Tires with cupped or uneven wear are another clue.

Worn struts aren’t only a comfort problem. They can make your stopping distance longer, and wet roads make that worse.

A clunk doesn’t always mean a bad strut. Worn mounts, bushings or ball joints can cause the same signs. Our mechanics can inspect the whole suspension and tell you what they find. For prices, read our guide to strut replacement cost in Vancouver.

Service desk The full guide

Strut replacement cost in Vancouver: the published prices, what a quote covers and how to compare quotes.

Read the full guide

Doing the job yourself? Our parts counters can supply steering and suspension parts. Request a part or see auto parts.

Get an estimateMore about suspension & steering

Book a suspension check

We check the car, tell you what we found, and you decide what work goes ahead.