The price of car parts within the auto Boot struts category ranges from £6 to £45, depending on the vehicle type, manufacturer, and product specifications.
In just a few quick, straightforward steps, you'll be able to fit your own gas struts, removing your old ones and replacing them with the correct, new version. So, without further ado, here's our straightforward guide to vehicle gas struts and how to fit them.
In some cases, a simple repair may be all that is needed, such as replacing a worn seal or recharging the gas pressure. However, if the strut is severely damaged or has reached the end of its useful life, replacement may be the only option.
Struts tend to fail in two main ways. Most failures are due to a gradual loss of pressure to the gas which results in the strut being unable to support the load. The risks are that the component being supported will gradually creep down or drop without warning.
It's important to note that gas struts generally have a lifespan of 5-10 years. The action on most car-fitted gas springs is subtle enough that many drivers don't realize they're actually helping to raise the tailgate, as opposed to just holding it in place once it's up.
How to Replace the Boot Strut Gas Springs on Your Car
Can you drive with a broken strut boot?
Driving with a broken strut will be extremely uncomfortable for you and your passengers, and is unsafe in an emergency. It can also damage other components in your car.
Loss of handling and control – Driving with failing shocks or struts has a direct impact on your ability to control your vehicle. You may notice that your vehicle bounces excessively, rolls or sways abruptly when making a turn, or that you feel out of control when hit by a cross wind.
Reduced braking efficiency – Worn shocks and struts can have an adverse effect on the performance of your brakes. Your vehicle's stopping distance may increase, which can be critical in an emergency braking situation. You're also at increased risk of skidding on wet roads.
Struts cannot be refilled or rebuilt. However, some struts have a replaceable cartridge. These repairable struts can be identified by a large hexagonal shaped nut at the top of the strut body. Please remember that struts are usually gas charged and that replacement should only be performed by a qualified technician.
It spells trouble in many ways than one. For instance, you could completely lose control over a bump on the road, which puts your passengers at risk. Struts come in pairs; thus, you'll need to replace both. This will usually cost you anywhere from $300 to $900.
A passenger riding in the vehicle for the first time may even comment on the “ride” that seems normal to the driver. But, regardless of how it may feel to you, worn struts and shocks will cause a change in tire wear and vehicle handling that should not go unaddressed.
Struts are more costly as parts, and they are part of the structure of the vehicle and steering if they are front struts. Since they do more than one job and are more elaborate in their construction, expect to pay more.
How long does it take a mechanic to replace struts?
Typically, it takes around 1.5 hours to access, remove dismantle reassemble and refit a front Macpherson strut…. if you are an experienced tech with a decent spring compressor.
It can be somewhat dangerous if you don't know what to watch out for. But, if you're up for it, it will save you hundreds of dollars compared to taking your vehicle to the mechanic. If you need help replacing shocks and struts, or if you have questions, feel free to contact us.
By replacing your front struts yourself, you can easily save yourself over $300. With new complete strut assembly kits, it has never been easier to handle this project yourself. With that said, this project is not for the novice DIYer, and it will take intermediate to expert mechanics roughly 2 hours to tackle.
Struts come in pairs; thus, you'll need to replace both. This will usually cost you anywhere from $300 to $900. Depending on what kind of driver you are, you should go through with the procedure every 50,000-100,000 miles.
When shocks and struts are worn out you may hear a clunking or knocking sound. This sound is caused by metal-to-metal contact when the shock or strut bottoms out when hitting a bump. In addition, these noises could be a result in worn shock or strut mounting components.
A strut is the shock absorber built into one unit with the coil spring. Any car has four struts/shock absorbers; one at each wheel. Most cars and SUVs have struts in the front suspension and shock absorbers or struts in the back. Struts and shock absorbers are maintenance-free units.
What does it sound like when a strut breaks while driving?
When shocks and struts are worn out you may hear a clunking or knocking sound. This sound is caused by metal-to-metal contact when the shock or strut bottoms out when hitting a bump. In addition, these noises could be a result in worn shock or strut mounting components.
Rear squat during acceleration – Properly functioning shocks and struts stabilize suspension movement when accelerating. When your shocks and struts are going bad, the rear of your vehicle can squat excessively when you hit the gas pedal.
There is most likely nothing wrong with the replacement shock or strut, but a metallic clunking noise typically indicates loose or worn mounting hardware. A loose mount can allow movement between the bolt and attaching parts, while a mount that is worn can cause the shock/strut to move up and down.
A boot gas strut (in this case) is fixed to the boot of the car on one side and to the car's body on the other. When the boot is opened, the gas struts extend by means of pressure inside. This is necessary to block them once the boot is open thereby preventing it to fall back down on its own.
The average cost for a Strut Bearing Replacement is between $267 and $324. Labor costs are estimated between $215 and $271 while parts are priced between $53 and $53.
