Shocks and Struts

Basically a strut is a combination shock absorber and spring. There are used mostly on unibody cars to support the weight of the cars (spring) and dampen road shock (absorber). If the back strut is bad, then the gas inside has started to get past the rubber seal of the strut. Less gas means less compression, less compression means less dampening. This will lead to more wear on just about every other part of the car. Sometimes struts break, or the mount can go bad. It is a good idea to replace the mount at the same time as the strut.

one lifts the suspension and one lifts the body

Check for movement in the ball joints, antiroll bar bushes and linkage, could also be strut-top bearings. There is the possibility it could be worn/damaged shock absorbers.

If you mean shock someone electrically by only touching them with your hands, there is certainly a way to do that, and it was discovered in the 18th Century.....but why would you want to do that to someone?

Yes, most definitely. You must always replace struts and shocks in pairs. Replace one front shock or strut then you must replace both. Same for the rear.

Jack up the rear of the vehical and support it on jack stands from the FRAME, not the axel. From here, there are two possible choices. If the old spring is broken, simply pull it out by hand, if it hasn't already fallen out. To install the new spring, either use spring compressors (typically used for struts) to compress the new spring down enough to fit between the axle and the frame, or remove the shock on the side you are working on, while supporting the axle with a jack. Once the shock is removed (it is only necessary to remove 1 end), lower the axle enough using the jack to allow the new spring to fit. Raise the axle in place, reinstall the shock, and lower the vehicle .

The track control arm, also known as the pan-hard bar, is part of the rear end suspension and in most vehicles it is not adjustable. In a typical NASCAR vehicle (for an example) they use an adjustable one so to make adjustments on how the rear wheels track in relation to the front wheels.

it is generally recommended by motor manufacturers and repairers that items such as dampers and springs (strut components) be replaced in pairs to prevent handling inbalance

robb

It depends on the year, make and model. Americans cars are cheaper the foreign cars. It also depends where you take your car as far as cost. Make sure you ask about warranty, most shocks come with life time warranty. If you want to save money ask family/friends/neighbors for advice on inexpensive shops. You can find some used good condition shocks at salvage yards if you don't plan on keeping your car. Cheers!!

The primary purpose of struts and shocks is to "dampen" the unsprung weight of the wheel assembly to prevent bounce. In other words, shocks and struts stop the wheels from bouncing when you hit a bump.

Without shocks or struts, a wheel would bounce like a basketball when you hit a bump, and the wheel wouldn't be in contact with the road very much of the time. That makes the vehicle unstable and difficult to control especially when you're going much over 15 MPH.

As opposed to shocks, struts also include suspension springs and bushings, so it depends on which part of a strut is going bad. If the springs are getting weak and the vehicle is "sagging", that's probably not too terribly unsafe, just an annoyance. If the bushings are shot, don't drive it.

In my opinion, it's not a good idea to drive without good struts, but that has to be your decision.

It's easier than it seems. First, disconnect the brake lines at the caliper or wheel cylinder on both sides. Then loosen the pinch bolts on both sides that tighten the hub assembly onto the bottom of the struts. Using a pry bar, stand on the bar and remove the hub assembly from the strut on both sides. Locate the top of the struts on either side inside the car under the window. You wil have to remove the upholstery that is directly below the window to locate the top of the strut. Remove the three nuts attaching the top of the strut to the body of the car. Once removing these, the strut will just fall away. Go back outside and guide the strut out of the wheel well.

Once out of the car, you will have to remove the spring from the strut using a spring compressor. Since the springs are bad, probably the struts are bad also so the best idea is to buy "quickstruts" at your local auto parts store. These are a strut and spring combination ready to bolt into your car directly. It really is alot easier. Assembly is the reverse of removal. If the struts were recently changed, then use the spring compressor to shorten the length of the springs until they are loose in the struts, then remove the strut mount, but only when there is NO pressure from the spring on it or serious injury WILL result. Once you get the strut mounts removed from the struts, just take the the springs and the mounts and simply transfer them to the new struts and reassemble making SURE that the strut mounts are totally tight on the top of the strut shaft. Loosen the spring compressor until the springs are tight in the struts and you can safely remove the compressor. Then just remount this assembly into the car. Assembly is the reverse of removal. Good luck.

Yes, many strut assemblies, particularly in automotive suspension systems, have a bearing at the top known as a strut mount bearing. This bearing allows for smooth rotation of the strut as the wheels turn, helping maintain proper alignment and reducing friction. It also supports the weight of the vehicle and absorbs some impact from the road. Regular inspection and maintenance of this component are essential for optimal performance and handling.

because the shoxs go as far as they can go up and it hits the frame. But will not cause any damage.

do you have avideo

The term "strut" applies to more than just wheels. A strut is a brace connected at each end, which acts to restrain, or control, the movement of anything. The best example that almost everyone has seen, at least in photographs, is wing struts on an airplane. The struts are the long "bars" that connect from the underside of a top [or high] mounted wing, to the lower edge of the fuselage. This forms a mechanical triangle which reinforces the wing and prevents "flapping" tendencies [bending] of the wing. On bi-planes, the bars [both vertical and angular] are also struts. On most vehicles, a wheel strut connects from a wheel suspension member to the frame or body to restrict the movement of the suspension assembly, which improves control and "rideability." In many late model vehicles, a strut for the front wheel suspension consists of combining a coil spring AND a shock absorber into a single component which is connected from the top of each front wheel to the unibody "frame" in a vertical "tower" which is a part of the unibody.

Quick and easy...bounce the car with your body weight. Get it bouncing pretty good then step back. If it takes more than three bounces for the car to stop, your struts need replaced. You can also tell by inspection. Oil seepage is a bad sign. Handling is also a clue. If your car seems to bounce forever after hitting uneven pavement, that's a clue.

First you will need to support the hatch so that is does not fall down on top of you when you pull one of the struts off. The struts have clips on the top and bottom of each strut. Use a small flat head screw driver and insert it under the clip to release it, (you do not have to pull the clip all the way out) just leave the screw driver in place to the clip is released. Then pop off the end of the strut, use this method for the remaining ends. To install the new strut just simply push the strut onto the ball support on both ends.

I would try to find a Whole suspension from a local junkyard. This way you will have everything you need and will save lots of money in the possess. Or find a damage front end Ford Expedition cheap this way you have everything you need and more. After getting what you need have a local junkyard take it off your hand...

If you don't change anything on the A frame or steering arms, then it shouldn't be necessary. However if you have a few bucks spare it's not a bad idea.

I just removed the rear struts on my 2004 Chrysler Concorde. To remove the arm you will need to use a little force. You will notice first a hose with a join in the middle where the arm meets the cowel of the car (the plastic vent shaped piece right by the base of the wind shield). This hose is how the windshield solution is delivered to the wiper arm. You want to pull this hose apart right at the join, it should come apart.

Now you need to remove the arm itself. There is a metal mushroom shaped piece that comes out of the car, the wiper arm slips over the head of this mushroom. The metal tab which is attached to the wiper arm (that slipped on) simply slides under the bottom of the mushroom head to keep it from coming off. You need to pull this tab out to remove the arm from the mushroom head. This tab is not always easy to move.

I used a screw driver to gently pry the tab downward (toward the cowl) so it would come loose. Once loose I slid the tab out (it doesn't come out completely, just partially) until I saw a small hole in the tab piece. Then I pried the arm off the mushroom head using a fulcrum and a lever combined with a gentle twisting and pulling motion. It came off this way.

Use a hand or foot to bounce the bumper on each corner of the car.

Does it stop after 1 bounce (good) or does it keep bouncing 2 or 3 times (bad).

How do you replace rear shocks on a 2003 altima?

Usually when they or shocks go bad then the vehicle will bounce more. The shock/struts are supposed to cushion the road surface impact. When bad then you start feeling every little bump in the road.

It could.

Factory rear struts would be well-worn by now (if still original), so it could be a big factor. Also, the strut tower bushing is probably worn. I have fould the Neon rear springs may have lost a bit of their cushining ability too (separate damping/rebound from the struts themselves), but often not enough to replace those when changing a set of new struts.