Every car component is designed to provide the best driving experience to anyone who owns a vehicle. However, when you don’t take good care of your car, many of these pieces will start malfunctioning, so if you want to avoid having to pay thousands of dollars for replacements, you have to do something about it.
In this article, we are going to talk in detail about what front struts are, and by the end of the article, you will know how long it takes to replace front struts.
What Are Front Struts?
These components can be found in the structural makeup of every car. They have the function to complete the suspension system to make your car ride both efficiently and carefully.
Also, they can save the suspension from getting damaged when you drive under extreme weather conditions. Some cars have struts located on the front or at the back. Meanwhile, other vehicles only have one.
Why Should I Replace My Car’s Front Struts?
Some people tend to believe that shocks and struts are the same things when in reality, they are different. For instance, shocks do what their name tells you. They have the capacity to absorb shocks produced by bumpy rides while you drive.
Basically, they can keep your vehicle from bouncing all over the place whenever you drive. Besides, shocks can provide you with improved handling of your car, meaning your vehicle will maintain its direction when it’s time to hit a curve.
These components are vital for your vehicle, but just like every other car mechanism, they are going to fail over time, and if they do, you won’t be able to have nice rides due to the bumps your car will have to face.
If you notice that it’s taking your car longer than usual to stop, it probably means that it’s time to purchase new shocks and struts.
When Should I Replace My Struts?
Keep in mind that it can depend on how you take care of your vehicle. However, the common rule is to replace these components after your car reaches 50,000 miles.
You can always check the integrity of the front struts, and all you have to do is bounce your vehicle while you monitor how the car performs. In case it doesn’t bounce back, then you will have to replace the struts as soon as possible.
Another sign that you should be aware of the front struts; it’s related to poor performance on the roads.
How Long Will It Take For Me To Replace Front Struts?
No more than 2 or 3 hours. The time to get these components replaced is going to depend on the person who is doing the task. If it’s someone with experience, it could take less.
Whenever a driver has worn-out front struts, they need to replace them to prevent more damages. The vehicle’s tires can suffer from uneven bouncing, so they will have to buy new tires.
We suggest you leave this to a professional. It could be unsafe if you don’t know what you are doing, and instead of doing something good for your car, you could damage something else.
How Much Can It Cost To Replace Front Struts?
You will find assembly kits available on Amazon, and if you purchase one online, you can save money. Keep in mind that you are going to require to get your wheels aligned after you replace the struts, and this can cost around $100.
Ways To Replace Front Struts
Even though many car owners pay to have their cars checked, others prefer doing it themselves. If you want to do the hard work and replace your front struts, here are some possible ways of doing it:
1. Spring compressor
The front struts have springs, which can fall out of place and damage your vehicle if you don’t remove it correctly. For this scenario, you are going to need to purchase a spring compressor so you can take the pieces apart without worrying about injuring another element.
2. Lift your car
After you take everything apart, raise your car one side first and then the other by using a car jack. When it’s up, put a jack stand behind one of the front wheels to gain stability. On the other hand, if you don’t have a jack stand, look for a lift.
Before attempting anything, make sure the car is secure. If it doesn’t stay in place, it could fall back and injure you.
3. Take out the struts
To take out the struts, you will first have to remove your car’s wheels. Now, grab your spring compressor and look for three bolts (they are located at the bottom of the struts).
Loosen the bolts but don’t take them out completely. Find the extra bolt (located inside the engine system). Loosen that bolt and remove the other three. This will make the struts come out of place.
4. Install your new struts
Once you remove the old front struts, you can install the new ones. Just make sure to tighten every bolt. We suggest you use a torque wrench for better results.
Lastly, place the wheels back into place. Test your vehicle on the roads to see if the front struts are securely placed.
Final Thoughts
If you drive your car and you notice that the struts are not doing their job, you are going to have to take your vehicle to a mechanic. This means you will have to spend more money, but you can be certain that your front struts are going to work the way they are supposed to.
Replacing struts is not that complicated, but not everyone wants to risk their car’s integrity. Consider that if you want to do it without help, you should have a little experience working under a vehicle.
But if you’re willing to do it, you will save tons of money compared to taking your vehicle to a car professional. Follow the steps we presented in this article so that you can replace front struts efficiently. We have more useful tips for you to find.
