Strut Bearing Replacement
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How are strut bearing issues diagnosed?
Worn, damaged, or broken struts are diagnosed in a number of ways. If the vehicle has excessive play in the suspension, bounces easily up and down for an extended time, leaks fluid from the strut, or has cupping present on any tire, the struts are likely worn. Many times, a strut is diagnosed when a technician is replacing suspension or axle parts or during a four wheel alignment.
How is a strut bearing replaced?
To change a strut bearing, a technician first needs to lift and support the vehicle, and remove the wheels. The brake caliper and rotor are removed and the sway bar link is disconnected. Several additional lines are often connected to the strut, and must be removed delicately to prevent damage to other systems. The technician then disconnects the strut from the steering knuckle and from the strut tower to remove it from the vehicle. If the entire strut assembly is being replaced, installation is relatively simple. On the other hand, it is common to reuse the coil spring from the old assembly. In this case, the worn strut will need to be compressed and disassembled, and the new strut will need to be assembled before it is installed. This includes placing the new strut bearing in the proper position before completing assembly. Many manufacturers recommend using a new strut mount when replacing struts, and if the strut uses a strut bearing, the bearing should be replaced.
RepairPal Recommendations for strut bearing issues
RepairPal recommends replacing struts in pairs. The ride quality and performance of the vehicle will be significantly altered if the struts do not match in type and quality, and unpredictable driving conditions may result. Prior to replacement of the struts, a full inspection of the steering and suspension should be performed to identify any other needed repairs. This will cut down the labor costs when compared to replacing the worn parts separately. Also, we recommend a four-wheel alignment when struts are replaced. The new struts may change the vehicle's ride height, and will change the vehicle's wheel alignment.
What to look out for when dealing with strut bearing issues
All models do not use strut bearings. Most vehicles will use front struts designed with a bushing, especially vehicles up to the mid 2000's. If the vehicle does not use a strut bearing, noises from the upper strut will require the same basic procedure to replace the upper strut mount.
Can I replace the strut bearing myself?
The strut bearing can be replaced at home with specially coil spring compressors, strut rod nut removal tool, and proper training. It is critical to understand coil springs are under tremendous tension, and can cause injury, maim, or cause death. If struts are not completely understood, as well as safety measures for disassembly, a professional technician should complete the repair.