Struts: What goes wrong?

Post by **MrAl** » 27 Jun 2016, 09:49

Hi,

I have a question about struts in this 1998 v70.

What exactly goes wrong with these things, and do they ever fail catastrophically?

I am wondering because i was recently advised that they are in need of replacement in the front and it's a fairly costly job.

Also, how do you know if they wear out or whatever it is? Do they make any noise? Any ride difference?
Is there any way they can suddenly give out? Can i push up and down on the front end to test them?

Do these things have a shock absorber inside them, or a spring or something inside or outside?

Thanks.

Post by **tryingbe** » 27 Jun 2016, 09:54

Struts/shocks doesn't fail catastrophically in a V70.

Strut/shock does basically the same thing, they are damper. Failed strut can give you a floaty ride, if you ever seen a car going down the highway and kept bouncing up and down, that car's struts/shocks are very worn. The strut/shock test I use is, if you push down one corner of your car and let go, your car should stop bouncing in 1 and a half bounce or less. If it is, and no visible oil leak on the strut, the strut is fine.

Spring seat can fail catastrophically, but you won't crash because of it. You will start hearing knocking noise over bumps.

101 · Post by **101** » 27 Jun 2016, 11:35

^^^ agree. Strut wearout is a gradual thing.

How many miles are on your car - and is any record of them having been changed in the past? I find 100K to be near the end of the service life of any strut or shock absorber - and for your roads in the northeast probably less.

Post by **oragex** » 27 Jun 2016, 12:20

Smart idea to come ask here keeping in mind that garages sometimes recommend replacing struts and brakes without need. However, there are parts - one of which is illustrated above - which are known to fail. The struts (and the rear shock absorbers) are rather durable in these vehicles, however they tend to get stiffer with age - but this is only apparent if the streets in your are are of poor quality. Replacing struts/shocks is not only expensive, but often times it causes more issues than before. There are specific recommended replacement parts, it is wise to ask for these brands before going with what your mechanic is suggesting.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 27 Jun 2016, 12:23

I recently replaced the struts and shocks on my 2001 C70 because the car had about 150K miles and was still on its originals. Doing this job yourself is not hard, doesn't require special tools other than spring compressors (not expensive and you can even borrow them at many car parts stores) and is very rewarding. New OEM struts are maybe $100 a piece. When you're in there though, you want to check out the condition of the spring seats (see photos in previous post) and strut bearings, and perhaps replace those as well 'when in doubt'.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 27 Jun 2016, 15:54

If it passes the jounce tests yet you hear the strut knock or can visually see the seats condition looking like in the above picture, replacing the seats/mount-isolators and bearing assembly is a lot of a cheaper option.

Post by **MrAl** » 27 Jun 2016, 16:12

Hello again,

Thanks a lot for the tips and suggestions, i am getting a better feel for this now. I'm still in the dark about some things though, which i'll explain.

I never hear any knocking noise when driving anywhere even over bumps. The car does not seem to bounce up and down much either, and that is what really got me wondering.

I dont know what a spring seat is though, nor where it is on the car. The is the first car i ever had that has 'struts' so i know very little about them except that they are 'there'

I can see what i think is the bottom of the struts, and they do look a little rusty, but no rust-through just outside area rust. The bolt nut is rusty too but it is clear that it is still completely intact.

I dont know if they were ever changed previously, and the car has about 194000 on it. It could be that they were never changed, but i dont know for sure. All i can do is perform the 'bounce' test as suggested by pushing on one corner and see how much it bounces up and down before coming to a complete rest. I'll definitely try that tomorrow morning.

Thanks again to all that replied.

beigg · Post by **beigg** » 27 Jun 2016, 16:20

The jounce test provides the results for active rebounding. Is it evident the struts are or have been leaking fluid?

Post by **tryingbe** » 27 Jun 2016, 16:46

Sounds like the struts are fine.
Locations of spring seat

Failed spring seat

Post by **MrAl** » 28 Jun 2016, 06:13

Hello again,

Wow, very nice pics, thanks very much for those.

They are not leaking at all

Thanks again, now on to another problem unfortunately.