Suspension Strut buying guide — what to know before you buy
Suspension struts combine a shock absorber and coil spring mount into a single structural unit. They support vehicle weight, absorb road impacts, and maintain tyre contact. Worn struts cause poor handling, longer braking distances, and uneven tyre wear. At CarParts247 we stock struts from Sachs, Monroe, and Bilstein.
Symptoms of worn suspension struts
Struts degrade gradually, so drivers often adapt to worsening ride quality without realising. A bounce test and visual inspection can reveal problems before they become dangerous.
- Excessive body roll in corners and nose-dive under braking
- Bouncy or wallowing ride — the car continues to oscillate after bumps
- Oil leaking from the strut body
- Knocking or clunking noise over bumps — worn top mount or bearing
- Uneven or cupped tyre wear pattern
Strut replacement best practice
Struts should always be replaced in pairs (both fronts or both rears) to maintain balanced handling. A wheel alignment is essential after fitting because strut replacement changes camber and caster angles.
- Always replace struts in pairs — left and right on the same axle
- Replace the top mount and bearing at the same time — they wear together
- A spring compressor is required if reusing the coil spring — this is a safety-critical step
- Get a wheel alignment after fitting to protect tyre wear and handling
- Consider complete strut assemblies (pre-assembled with spring) to save time and avoid spring compressor risks