My car is a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville and it has around 170,000 miles on it. The engine still runs great so I would like to keep this car. Is the telltale sign of bad struts when the car picks up more road vibration? Any help would be great!
2007-12-09 11:46:05 · 9 answers · asked by Shurman 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
One of the functions of the struts is the shock absorber , bounce the car if it bounces a lot you need them , if it bounces once or twice you are ok . do this on all four corners.
You should replace them in pairs. both front or rear.
Another function is the spring , if saged it will cause the car to droop or ride too low for proper ailignment.
Another function is in steering.
A vibration could be a tire imbalance . Does it start to vibrate at about 45-60 mph ?
2007-12-09 11:58:07 · answer #1 · answered by Robert F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The easiest way to check the struts is to lean on the car directly over top of the wheel, as hard as you can. If you are too small, ask a friend to help. Count the number of times the car bounces once you let your weight off of the car. 1 or 2 bounces is ideal. Any more than that and new struts should be considered. Also, have a trusted mechanic carefully inspect your suspension bushings, front and rear. Bad bushings cause poor ride quality and uneven tire wear. It would be a waste to replace good struts only to find that they weren't actually the issue. Good luck.
2007-12-09 12:02:14 · answer #2 · answered by Patrick H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
How do I know when my struts need replaced?
My car is a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville and it has around 170,000 miles on it. The engine still runs great so I would like to keep this car. Is the telltale sign of bad struts when the car picks up more road vibration? Any help would be great!
2015-08-16 19:51:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you still have the owners manual, it should tell you when to replace them. Probably about every 80,000 miles. OMG!!! You are 90,000 miles overdue!!! Just get them done. They don't cost a lot and you will feel a difference plus, your tires will last longer if you have new struts. Get them done all the way around.
You can usually tell if you need new ones by pushing down on the bumper and seeing how many times it bounces. If it is more than once, you need them. Sometimes, you can check the Sunday papers. Sears will have a sale where you buy 3 get one free...then wait till they have the sale on the labor. A friend of mine did that. If money is not an object, just get it all done at one time...Good luck and enjoy the feel of a new car.
PS... Don't be chinze. Get the good ones meant for touring. Don't go for Gabriel Springfield. Get Monroe or KYB.
2007-12-09 12:01:59 · answer #4 · answered by cat lady 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do I Need New Struts
2016-10-15 01:18:47 · answer #5 · answered by lakey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most shops suggest replacing struts at 60,000 miles. If they are the original struts on the vehicle they are there but not doing anything, and you are way overdue for replacement.
2007-12-09 11:49:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stand on the bumper of your car and bounce on it hard once and jump off. (obviously, be sure not to break anything.) If it takes more than 1.5 oscillations to recover to a still or equilibrium state than they should be replaced.
Also, if you have someone who can accurately read how your tire is wearing they can tell you the condition of your suspension system. (If you go to a dealership or a mechanic you don't know they may just try to sell you crap so make sure you trust the person.)
2007-12-09 11:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by Steve 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
change them u are over due , do you hear noises if so it my be the shocks or struts bouncing up and down , old school trick push down on car if it bounces more than 3 times its ready for them to br replace
2007-12-09 11:59:58 · answer #8 · answered by charlesdiericks@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever seen a car going down the highway with one tire slapping the ground....its time to replace.ou can go more than 40K on a set.Bounce on the corner of the car and if it takes more than a few seconds for the car to stop than its probly time to replace them also look for any sigh of leakage.
2007-12-09 12:05:31 · answer #9 · answered by texcowboy712 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the shocks/struts have "more bounce to the ounce" then your looking for or show leakage, time to replace.
2007-12-09 11:53:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋