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According to studies done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 45,000 accidents happen every year due to vehicle malfunctions. Due to the many moving parts that make up a car, one of them can break and threaten the integrity of the vehicle. Unfortunately, issues caused by lesser-known components like the top strut mount can be tricky to diagnose. A strut mount is a small but essential part of your car&#;s suspension and steering system. Despite its size, a failing strut mount bearing can have a significant and dangerous effect on the way you drive. In this article, we&#;ll help you diagnose top strut mount issues by providing you with some of the bad signs you need to look out for. We&#;ll also be answering some questions like what causes them to fail and how much it costs to replace them.

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Diagnosing Top Strut Mount Issues

Despite its unassuming nature, a failing or damaged top strut mount can easily be diagnosed if you know how to look for the signs. Below are some of the symptoms that could help you determine if your car issues are being caused by a bad strut mount.

1. Strange Clunking Sounds

One of the most common signs of a failing strut mount is hearing a loud clunking or squeaking coming from the suspension system. The exact description of the sound is like hearing two metals hitting each other whenever you are turning the steering wheel. The clunking sound is due to a completely disintegrated rubber in the strut mount. The rubber is designed to provide a barrier between the strut and the mount. Without the rubber, the two components would hit each other constantly and create noise. Aside from the clunking sound, you may also hear a &#;boink&#; sign when you turn the steering wheel. This is either another sign of a damaged strut mount or a damaged coil spring. Regardless of the cause, hearing strange noises is a sign that you need to have your vehicle checked.

2. Noticeable Vibration

Aside from causing strange noises, if the rubber in the strut mount has been worn away, it won&#;t be able to insulate the metal parts. This causes intense vibrations when you are driving and steering.
The noise and the vibration will only get more violent the faster your drive your car. If left ignored, the vibrations may start affecting other components in the engine compartment and cause significant damage.

3. Steering Issues

One job of the strut mounts is to allow the strut to rotate easily with your car&#;s frame. This makes steering the vehicle easy and smooth. If one of the strut mounts is damaged, it can make it harder for the driver to maneuver using the steering wheel. The stiffness in the steering is also easily noticed when driving at low speeds.
Another related symptom you may notice is when the steering wheel doesn&#;t return to the center, especially after completing a turn.

4. Excess Movement

Your car&#;s strut mount helps cushion many imperfections that you may run into on the road. This includes uneven roads, speedbumps, and potholes. If the strut mount is damaged or has failed, it will be unable to hold the strut into place and will make your car feel more bouncy when driving.
A great way to check this out is by opening the hood and looking at the mount. Once you located the mount, apply some pressure and push down the car. A working strut mount will make the mount a little bit. If the strut mount is damaged, you&#;ll notice some excessive movement in the mount.

5. Uneven Tire Wear

Another symptom of a bad strut mount is uneven tire wear. A failing strut mount can contribute to the misalignment of the tires. The vibrations and the wobbling will greatly affect how the tire interacts with the road.
Misalignments will cause certain sections of the tire to look significantly worn out while other sections will remain looking brand new. You should have your vehicle checked by a professional at the first sign of tire misalignment.

6. Presence of Corrosion

Most strut mounts are made of metal. This makes them vulnerable to corrosion, this is especially true for aging strut mounts. If left unchecked, these strut mounts can break due to extreme corrosion. This will not only cause damage to other components but may even prove dangerous if strut mounts completely break while driving.

If you haven&#;t had your strut mounts replaced in a while or if you driving in an area that&#;s close to the sea, consider taking your car to a professional for proper inspection.

Why Do Top Strut Mounts Fail?

Strut mounts can last a very long time, with some having an average of 10 years before showing signs of problems. However, its longevity will still depend on how often the car is used, and what kind of environment it currently is.
For example, driving regularly close to the beach can cause corrosion over time. Off-road driving and exposure to extremely humid climates can cause the struts to wear out faster than usual.
Minor accidents can also cause the strut mounts to be damaged. If you have gotten yourself in a minor accident, be sure to remind your mechanic to also check the condition of the strut mounts.

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Why Should You Replace Them?

While it&#;s still technically possible to drive your car despite signs of strut mount issues, ignoring it can lead to other problems. The vibrations can affect other parts of the vehicle and cause them to wear out much faster.
Your car will also be harder to maneuver while driving. This can be very dangerous since the last thing you&#;ll want to happen during an emergency is to lose control of your vehicle

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Them?

A strut mount should cost around $40 to $100. Replacing them may last one and a half hours to complete so you can expect to pay around $80 to $150 in labor. All in all, you can expect to pay around $120 to $250 for a complete replacement.

Do Not Ignore The Signs

When it comes to car issues, ignoring even the slightest symptom can lead to expensive repairs or something far more dangerous. If you notice any of the signs mentioned in this article, you should get in touch with professionals to have your car checked and repaired.
Tenacity Auto Parts is a professional rubber-to-metal manufacturer that provides premium quality rubber and suspension parts. If you are interested in knowing more about our products like strut mounts and bearings, Contact us today. Our team would be happy to talk about everything we have on offer.

When a modern car goes over a bump, the impact is managed by the coil spring and the bounce is managed by the shock absorber. The assembly of the coilover and shock absorber is called the &#;strut&#;. If the top mount fails, not only will it be extremely uncomfortable, but it will damage your car too. 

What is a strut top mount?

The strut top mount is the mount that connects the strut to the chassis. It has a rubber bushing to prevent any excessive vibrations making their way to your seat. You can easily locate them by looking under your hood - they&#;re directly above the front wheels on each side. The top mounts hold the springs and absorbers in place and control the angle that they operate at. 

Why do you need a strut top mount?

Without the top mount, it can lead to excessive bumps, jolts and damage to your suspension and car. If they fail then it can lead to poor steering, braking and comfort. It will also mean you fail a WoF and you don&#;t want that.

How to tell if you need a new strut top mount

If you notice any excessive play in the top mount when moving the car forwards, back or side to side then it can mean that the top mount needs to be replaced. When going over small bumps if you notice that there is a chattering sound, then it can mean there is excessive play and you may need the top mount replaced. Most of the time, when changing springs and absorbers the top mounts will be checked and often preemptively replaced. 

What&#;s involved in getting a strut top mount replaced?

The mechanic will loosen the wheels and undo the bolts inside the engine bay on the affected sides and hoist the car up. They will then unbolt the entire strut from the vehicle and remove it. The springs will be compressed to take the load off the top mount and then the top mount can be removed. The new mount will be put in place and the strut reconnected to the lower mounting position and lined up with the top. The wheels will be put back on and lowered down. The wheels will then be tightened as well as the bolts for the top mount. The car will be test driven and may be given a wheel alignment if required.

How much does a strut top mount replacement cost?

The top mounts themselves are pretty common, you should expect to pay between $220 and $500 for a top mount to be replaced.

How often do I need a strut top mount replaced?

Typically the top mount won&#;t need replacing unless it breaks. They are regularly serviced with the springs and shocks. If they do need replacing then it is something worth doing as a damaged one can lead to other problems down the road.

Is a broken top mount unsafe?

A broken strut top mount affects braking, turning and stability. These are 3 things you don&#;t want affected and as such, if something goes wrong with your strut then it needs fixing.

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