Your car's struts are a key part of the suspension system, located at each wheel well. On most modern vehicles, you'll find them on the front wheels, and often on the rear wheels as well. They are the tall, cylindrical components that connect the wheel assembly to the car's frame, with the top of the strut usually visible when you open the hood (for front struts) or the trunk (for rear struts).
A strut is a major structural part of your suspension. Unlike a simple shock absorber, it's a MacPherson strut design that combines a shock absorber and a spring into a single unit, and it often serves as a pivot point for steering. This is why a worn-out strut can affect handling, braking, and ride comfort all at once.
You can identify a strut by looking for a large metal coil spring wrapped around a central cylinder. The top will have a mount that bolts to the vehicle's body, and the bottom is attached to the steering knuckle, which holds the wheel. When you hit a bump, the entire strut assembly compresses and extends to absorb the impact.
Replacing a strut is generally more complex than replacing a standard shock because it requires disassembling the spring and shock unit, which can be dangerous without proper tools. Common signs of a failing strut include excessive bouncing after a bump, a knocking sound over irregularities, uneven tire wear, and a nose-dive when braking.
| Vehicle Type | Typical Strut Location | Common Signs of Wear | Replacement Complexity |
|---|
| Sedan / Coupe | Front & often Rear | Knocking noise, poor cornering | High (requires spring compression) |
| SUV / Crossover | Front & often Rear | Excessive body roll, bouncing | High |
| Truck (Rear) | Sometimes replaced with shock/leaf spring combo | Squatting under acceleration | Lower (if shock-only) |
| Performance Car | Front & Rear | Reduced handling precision | Very High (often includes alignment) |
