Any way to tell if struts are worn?

[John Reid]

I had to get smaller wheels/snopwtires a few months back due to crappy road conditions in NY (pot holes up the wazoo, tacoed one of my 18"s).
The installation manager said that my rear struts were worn, yada yada... said there was cupping on the rear tires, but I think that may have been due to a slight negative camber.
The car doesn't bounce at all when I do the font end push test, still handles well... is there an easy way to tell if there is indeed wear on the rear struts? The struts are around 5 years old, could be 6 years (Tokikos). Springs are Eibach, using a Ground Control pseudo coil over setup.

I've never dealt with the shop before (Mavis Discount Tire), and don't know if they're trying to sell me things I don't need.

Any ideas?

Thanks! graemlins/thumb.gif

[John Reid]

Err... hello? graemlins/boring.gif

[novadk74]

When cupping on the tires occur the tire goes inward in the middle and outward toward the outer sides of the tirewall this usually indicates low tire pressure. Tires lose about a pound and a half of pressure each month due to natural inperfections so they say if the tire has a lot of wear on the outer or inner part of the tire it has to much negative or positve camber. im not sure how to check struts since i dont have them on my rearwheel drive but i believe that the location where they connect into the hub carrier the bolts get worn or the hole in the struts have been worn out. you can get a hayns manual from any auto parts store and it will explain all of the goodies about struts for your particular car and the difference between tire wear the book is only like 15 bucks.

[John Reid]

Thankee graemlins/thumb.gif

[lakersfan1]

I thought struts were supposed to last hella long compared to shocks?

[Rob M]

Originally posted by lakersfan1:
I thought struts were supposed to last hella long compared to shocks? They're pretty much the same things. If anything the struts will go faster because of the additional loads on them.

[cckrocks]

Take a look closely at the struts with the wheel off the car. Check for ay leaking and loose or broken parts especially at the top of the strut. Also, if you have a tendency to bottom out easily or the ride feels especially "soft" then it may be time for new struts. Rough roads, such as those in NY can cause damage in a few years and it is accelerated by low profile tires/big wheels. Check them out yourself.

[John Reid]

Thanks for the info...
While the ride still feels pretty tight, no abnormal bouncing, etc. But even with 14" wheels, fat snowtires that I use now, I find that the ride is still pretty hard, so I'll take a look when I have a moment (and when it isn't freezing outside). graemlins/wave.gif

[xiph0id]

When struts wear out, instead of absorbing the shock and recentering they start to bounce lots.

To check park the car out both hands directly above the wheel/shock in question, press down as hard as you can then let go before it rebounds upwards. If the car comes to stand still in 3 or less bounces it's ok. If it bounces for more than 3 up and 3 downs, they are getting warn out.

X