Signs of a Bad Strut Mount

The impending failure of a vehicle’s upper strut mount is generally accompanied by one or more symptoms. While these symptoms do often vary from one model of vehicle to the next, a number of these symptoms tend to be far more prevalent than others.

The following are several of the most common signs associated with a bad strut mount.

#1 – Excessive Noise/Vibration

One of the most common symptoms of a faulty strut mount is excessive noise and/or vibration while driving. This is due to the fact that a vehicle’s strut mounts traditionally isolate a car’s chassis from such noise/vibration.

However, significant wear compromises a strut mount’s ability to serve as a viable buffer. As such, subtle rattles and squeaks become evident, many of which grow ever more evident with the passing of time.

#2 – Accelerated Wear of Additional Suspension Components

As strut mounts begin to age, additional wear and tear are often imparted upon a vehicle’s additional suspension components. This includes a vehicle’s shock absorbers, as well as a broad range of front end bushings.

As a result, a number of far more troublesome secondary issues can arise, many of which negatively impact a vehicle’s handling.

#3 – Rapid Tire Wear

Since a vehicle’s upper strut mounts play a pivotal role in aligning the front end of many models, wear to such components can quickly throw front-end geometry out of specification. In fact, a vehicle’s toe settings can be adversely affected to the point of causing rapid tire wear.

This should be especially evident if a vehicle’s tires had been recently replaced.

#4 – Poor Handling/Wandering Steering

A vehicle’s caster setting can be negatively affected in much the same manner as its toe setting, in the event of strut mount failure. This, of course, is also due to changes caused in front end geometry at the hands of upper shock mount wear or failure.

Unfortunately, the only way to remedy such issues involves replacing all worn strut mounts, before performing a front end alignment.

#5 – “Clunking” In Front End

In certain instances, a severely worn strut mount can lead to a definite “clunking” within a vehicle’s front end. This noise differs from the occasional rattle or squeak mentioned above, and can even be felt by a vehicle’s occupants in some situations.

This is due to the excessive strut play caused by the deterioration of the mount in question. This play will only be eliminated with the replacement of this mount, following a thorough inspection for additional front end damage.

Article source: CarTreatments.com