What comes in a strut assembly?

Category: automotive auto repair
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What Are the Parts Of A Strut Assembly? A MacPherson strut assembly is made up of the strut, bumpstop or boot, spring, springseat, and mount. Some strut assemblies also include other parts such as a spring isolator or mount bearings. Here is a quick and easy visual of a typical strut assembly.



Accordingly, what is a loaded strut assembly?

Loaded” or “Complete” struts are struts that come pre-assembled and ready to install. Loaded struts are almost twice the cost of a strut and upper mount, but it will restore the vehicle to like new condition, which is a good draw for customers.

One may also ask, do you need an alignment after replacing rear struts? As long as you remove ONLY the strut hardware and you don't pull bolts out for the LCA, UCA, or the knuckle, the alignment should not change unless ride height changes significantly.

Also to know, how do you assemble a MacPherson strut?

The standard MacPherson strut, which does not unbolt in the middle. It is attached by three bolts at the top and two at the bottom. Unscrew the three nuts above the mounting to release the top of the strut. Do not loosen the central nut between them, which would release the coil spring from the strut.

What is the difference between shocks and struts?

A vehicle will have either a shock or a strut at each wheel, never both. The major difference between shocks and struts is that a strut is a structural part of the vehicles suspension system where a shock is not. A strut is also crucial part of the vehicles steering system and greatly affects alignment angles.

29 Related Question Answers Found

Is it hard to change struts?

Strut Replacement
And worn struts are dangerous because they increase your stopping distance by almost 10 ft. But these days you can buy a complete strut assembly that eliminates the strut/spring/mount disassembly process. These assemblies allow you to replace both of your front struts yourself in less than two hours.

How long do struts last?

How often do struts need to be replaced? Some manufacturers recommend replacing struts every 50,000 miles, other auto experts say 100,000 miles is a good range. Hawley recommends somewhere in between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

How does a strut work?

Strut Operation
First, struts perform a shock damping function like shock absorbers. Internally, a strut is similar to a shock absorber. A piston is attached to the end of the piston rod and works against hydraulic fluid to control spring and suspension movement.

Can you put struts on wrong?

Incorrect installation of attachment parts
Attachment parts are often installed incorrectly or not at all (e.g. spring plates, bushings, etc.). A missing support washer on a suspension strut bearing, for example, can damage the vehicle or the suspension. Correct: Shock absorbers include several attachment parts.

Are struts supposed to rotate?


Yes, they should rotate. That's why there has to be a bearing in there. Common to all strut cars.

How do I know when my struts are bad?

Symptoms of bad shocks or struts include:
  1. Badly cupped tires and/or noticeable tire shaking, wheel shimmy or vibration after hitting a bump.
  2. Suspension bottoming on rough roads or when backing out of a driveway.
  3. A bouncy ride.
  4. Body sway or rocking when cornering or driving in strong crosswinds.

What is the difference between a strut and strut assembly?

Struts are the structural part of the suspension system and they are used on the front end of nearly every front-wheel –drive vehicle. A strut integrates numerous different suspension parts into one compact assembly.

Who makes the best strut assembly?

Our 10 Picks of Best Struts
  1. Detroit Axle 10064-8 – Best Full Set of Struts.
  2. Rancho RS999910 – Best Front Pair of Struts.
  3. Monroe 139105 – High Performance and Durable Struts.
  4. Detroit Axle 171361 x2 – User-friendly and Authenticated Struts.
  5. Prime Choice Auto Parts CST100164PR – Complete Assembly of Front Struts.

Do quick struts come with strut mounts?

Quick struts come with mounts. The front ones have a set of bearings and they do wear out. The rear does not have bearings and probably does not need replacing.

Are quick struts worth it?


Agree with everyone they are well worth. Quick-strut are the closest thing you can to OEM ride from Monroe. They also have one call eco-matic which are also complete set but they don't offer the same type of conform as the Quick Strut. But at the same time you need to do some math and thinking.

What is the best brand of shocks and struts?

The Comparison of Top 10 Best Shocks and Struts
Product Shocks OR Struts Rating
Bilstein 5100 Monotube (Editor's Choice) Shock 9.4
BuyAutoParts Shock Absorber Shock 8.4
Detroit Axle Struts & Shock Shock+Strut 9.0
Monroe Shock Absorber (Editor's Choice) Shock 9.6

How good are Monroe quick struts?

Monroe is a good quality replacement strut assembly. This unit will keep you from having to take apart the strut and spring when replacing parts on the Taurus. One note of caution. These parts are slightly longer than the originals because the bottom of the strut on these is slightly rounded whereas the oem are flat.

How much does it cost to replace struts on a car?

On average, expect to pay somewhere between $450 and $900 to replace a pair of struts. An individual strut assembly will cost about $150 to $300 so you're looking at around $300 to $600 for parts alone. Labor alone will set you back about $150 to $300 for the pair.

Are Monroe shocks good?

Monroe Reflex shocks are good. Plus, there is a $40 rebate when you by 4. You can buy them in pairs as long as you buy all 4 by the end of April. The Reflex shocks are MUCH better than the Sensa-Trac.

How does a MacPherson strut work?


The MacPherson strut combines a shock absorber and a coil spring into a single unit. Each wishbone, which has two mounting positions to the frame and one at the wheel, bears a shock absorber and a coil spring to absorb vibrations.

Is a MacPherson strut a structural part of the vehicle?

A MacPherson strut is a structural part of the vehicle which supports the weight of the vehicle.

How do you fix a MacPherson strut?

To install:
  1. Install the strut to the body, then secure with the mounting nuts. Hand-tighten the nuts.
  2. Place a jack under the lower arm.
  3. Reconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
  4. Install the brake hose bracket to the strut.
  5. Install the wheel, hand-tighten the lug nuts.
  6. Remove the jackstands and lower the car.