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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
