There is most likely nothing wrong with the replacement shock or strut, but a metallic clunking noise typically indicates loose or worn mounting hardware. A loose mount can allow movement between the bolt and attaching parts, while a mount that is worn can cause the shock/strut to move up and down.

Why are my struts rattling?

If you hear a rattling sound during any of these, it could mean you have a suspension problem which could include: a bad control arm bushing, bad ball joint, bad tie rod, bad strut mount, bad sway bar link, or bad sway bar bushings.

What does a loose strut sound like?

Some worn-out struts (but not all) will make noises that can alert you to their declining state. Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You'll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road.

Do bad struts rattle?

Shocks and struts are cushioned by rubber bushings which, over time, will wear out. This will cause a rattling and banging noise when the vehicle rides over bumps and rough road conditions. A scraping or grating noise is caused by a broken shock.

Can you drive on bad struts?

Is It Dangerous to Drive with Bad Struts? Yes, it's dangerous to drive with bad shocks or struts. Fortunately, many signs indicate your car's shocks and struts are malfunctioning, such as: Your car feels unstable, even if you are driving on a flat surface.

Whats that noise my cars making (Rear strut mount) Explained

Why does my car rattle when I go over bumps?

Rattling noises that appear when you're driving over bumps, or on uneven surfaces, are often down to the suspension. These rattles can disappear once you speed up a bit or when the going gets smoother. The culprits may be the drop links (e.g. if they've snapped), worn bushes or corroded shock absorbers.

What causes a strut to make noise?

Internal shock or strut noise is uncommon. The most common cause for clunking noises over bumps is the mounts or attaching parts. Careful inspection is often required to identify the cause. Mountings and bushings can appear to be tight, but move slightly when driving.

Why does my car make a noise when I go over bumps?

A front end clunking noise going over bumps is most often caused by damaged control arms or suspension struts. Often, this kind of damage happens if you use your vehicle for off-roading adventures—or there are a lot of potholes on your daily commute.

Why is my rear suspension making noise?

If you hear a clunk when the suspension works over bumps, you may have excessive clearance in a joint due to wear. It might be as simple as a loose nut on the strut, or something more subtle such as a shrunken, dried-out rubber bushing.

How do I know if my struts are loose?

The Warning Signs Of Worn Shocks And Struts

1. Instability at highway speeds. ...
2. Vehicle “tips” to one side in turns. ...
3. The front end dives more than expected during hard braking. ...
4. Rear-end squat during acceleration. ...
5. Tires bouncing excessively. ...
6. Unusual tire wear. ...
7. Leaking fluid on the exterior of shocks or struts.

What is the clunking noise in the back of my car?

Frequently, the suspension system is at fault when you hear a clunk sound. Clunking noises that happen when you drive your car over bumps could be from the following: Worn or damaged struts. Worn or damaged leaf spring shackles.

Can you lubricate a strut bearing?

Registered. Short answer is no, it's not a serviceable part. You can't access to lubricate w/o removing the strut.

How often should you replace struts?

Generally, shocks and struts wear out every 50,000-100,000 miles. If you're a more aggressive driver and/or frequently drive on rough roads, they will wear out faster. Shocks and struts don't go out all at once; they deteriorate slowly over time.

Are rear struts important?

Struts come down through the chassis and provide a location to mount the coil spring, which maintains the car's height. Both the front struts and rear struts are extremely important.

Is it OK to replace just one strut?

Do you have to replace both shock absorbers or struts if only one is bad? It's not necessary, but it's usually recommended to replace them in pairs, for example, both front struts or both rear shocks. This is because a new shock absorber will absorb road bumps better than the old one.

What do bad strut mounts sound like?

If you hear clunking or squeaking coming from the suspension system while driving, this could mean the mount has worn out. The noise comes from two or more metal components hitting each other without any insulation. Front strut mounts may also make a noise when you turn the steering wheel.

What are the symptoms of bad strut bearings?

When they do, they often make knocking or clunking noises over bumps or in turns, or the steering becomes stiff or snaps back toward center when the driver lets go of the steering wheel. Bad strut bearings can also cause alignment issues and uneven tire wear.

Do I need an alignment after replacing struts?

To sum it up, here are the answers to the question—do you need an alignment after replacing shocks and struts? Yes, if the vehicle manufacturer recommends an alignment after replacement. Yes, if you did any suspension modifications that do not follow manufacturer recommendations.

Can shocks make a clunking noise?

There is most likely nothing wrong with the replacement shock or strut, but a metallic clunking noise typically indicates loose or worn mounting hardware. A loose mount can allow movement between the bolt and attaching parts, while a mount that is worn can cause the shock/strut to move up and down.