How do I know if my struts are bad?

Wondering if your struts are worn out in Durango? Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

What do struts do?

Struts and shocks control how your car moves over bumps. The spring holds the weight of the car, and the strut or shock slows down the up and down motion so the tires stay on the road. Many cars have struts in front and shocks or struts in the rear. When they wear out, the springs still hold the car up, but nothing keeps the motion in check. The car starts to float, bounce, and lean more than it should.

What are the signs of bad struts?

Worn struts change how the car rides, turns, and stops. Watch for these signs:

• The car keeps bouncing after a bump or a dip instead of settling right away.
• You hear a clunk or knock from a corner of the car over rough pavement or potholes.
• The front end dives forward when you brake, or the rear squats when you speed up.
• The body leans or sways more than usual in turns or in a crosswind.
• There is oil or fluid on the outside of a strut or shock.
• The tires show cupped or scalloped wear, with patches worn lower than the rest of the tread.

Why do struts wear out faster around Durango?

Every bump works the struts, and the roads around Durango give them plenty of work. Gravel and washboard county roads, potholes after freeze and thaw, and loaded trips over the passes on US-550 all add up. Hauling gear, a roof box, or a full load of people also keeps the suspension working harder. There is no single mileage that fits every car, so how the car feels and what an inspection finds matter more than a number.

Next step: see our strut and shock repair in Durango page. Ace AutoFix replaces struts and shocks on any brand of car and on gas or light-duty trucks.

Could the noise or bounce be something else?

Yes. A clunk over bumps can come from worn control arms, ball joints, sway bar links, or tie rods, not only the struts. See our steering parts page. A hum or growl that changes with speed points more toward a wheel bearing or hub. If the car drifts or pulls, our post on why a car pulls to one side covers the common causes. That is why we look at the whole front and rear suspension before calling it a strut problem.

Is it safe to drive with bad struts?

Worn struts do not usually stop a car from running, but they make it harder to control. The car can take longer to stop, dive more under hard braking, and feel less steady in turns or on rough pavement. Worn struts also wear tires unevenly. If you notice a strong bounce, a loud clunk, or fluid on a strut, book an inspection before a long drive or a mountain pass.

How does Ace AutoFix check struts?

We look at the struts, shocks, mounts, and the steering and suspension parts around them, and check the tires for uneven wear. We write what we found before parts come off, and you get text and photo updates so you can see what we see. There is no upsell, and pricing is labor and parts with no supply, ordering, or disposal fees. A new strut often needs a wheel alignment after, and our post on how often to get an alignment explains why.

Who replaces struts in Durango?

Ace AutoFix is a locally owned shop at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We work on any brand of car and on gas or light-duty trucks. We do not work on diesel vehicles.

Book a strut inspection with Ace AutoFix

Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Ace AutoFix is locally owned at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cars and gas or light-duty trucks. No diesel.