AzNMpower

When do you know it's time to change the shocks and/or struts? The stealer *says* the rear ones are worn and I should replace them, but is there a way to test and see if they really need replacement (without taking them apart of course)?

Oh yea, my '96 has 117,300 miles on it now

OceanView

I've only had to change the front ones and when I had them done, I dont even know if they were needed. I did it cause there was some clunking noise.
Never had to change the rears yet and the car has 219K miles on it.
It may need it but I don't notice so I just keep driving it.

chrispy

iTrader: (21)

you just know when you go over bumps and the struts don't absorb the shock. when my struts were blown i would bottom out on some speedbumps. it's a comfort thing i guess. i don't know if you'll damage any other suspension components if you keep riding on blown struts.

AzNMpower

I know its bad to keep driving with worn struts because it adversely affects handling and puts stress on other parts that weren't designed to handle the stress.

The suspension kinda does absorb most of the road impacts, but I've heard a creaking noise whenever I go over speed bumps. Maybe it's a cold weather thing........

3000

I used to like having dead shocks/struts because it reminded me of having a stiff @ss ride that JGTC cars have. The struts didn't even creak anymore and I'd have to avoid pot holes and go super slow on speed bumps.

LC1338

Someone else claims fixing the noise by using a lubricant on the rear struts. See https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=259355

MoreMGD32

iTrader: (1)

ive been told, a general rule of thumb is to shake your car rapidly so its rocking side to side. Then, let it go and if it rocks back and fourth more than 4or 5 times then your struts are nearing replacement

nicos1

The one thing I've noticed with suspension noise is that the strut can still function properly but the strut top has a part in it that when it gets loose it moves around making a tin sound. If anything, get the quick struts from advance, it only takes 20 minutes per strut and they work great. Good Luck!

ff_

Not side-to-side. You should bounce the car up and down, and if the car doesn't stabilize right away (think >> a bouncy 1970's Town Car or Caddy), then your shocks/struts are worn out.

Pheonix

Minus the actual suspension feel of the ca.r If you're going to bounce it, you bounce the vehicle & if it does not IMMEDIATELY return to the ride height. The struts are bad. There should be no rebounding at all. It should "go one way, then go directly back".

Replace all the suspension ahrdware at one time. Rubber mounts, struts & springs all tend to wear about the same time. Say 10 years, 100,000 miles. After that, save your money to toss all of it at one time. There's no point in having good struts on old springs & mounts.