What are the symptoms of a bad strut?

A bad strut typically shows signs such as leaky dampers, excessive bouncing, nose-diving during braking, and unusual tire wear. These symptoms can affect ride comfort and safety, and sometimes indicate related suspension issues.

Struts are a key part of the suspension that dampen road shocks and help keep tires in contact with the pavement. When they wear out or fail, you’ll notice a mix of visual cues, performance changes, and noises. This article outlines the main symptoms to watch for, how to differentiate them from other problems, and what steps to take next.

Visual signs and ride quality

These are the observable and experiential clues you might notice just by looking at the car and taking a ride, which often point to damper wear or mounting issues.

• Leaking fluid around the strut shaft or at the top mount, indicating worn seals


• Visible damage to the strut body, shaft, or coil spring (bent, dented, or cracked components)


• Uneven ride height or the car sitting lower on one corner


• Increased bouncing after bumps or over rough surfaces


• Squeaks or creaks from the suspension when going over potholes or speed bumps

Concluding paragraph: Visual and ride-quality signs typically point to worn seals, a weakened damper, or damaged mounts, and usually warrant an inspection to prevent further tire wear or alignment issues.

Handling and performance symptoms

These symptoms relate to how the car behaves during steering, braking, and cornering, and they can signal compromised damping.

• Excessive body roll or wobble in corners, with reduced steering confidence


• Nose-diving during hard braking or a nose-down feel when stopping


• Heavier or less responsive steering, or wandering/unstable steering feel


• Bottoming out or excessive bounce when hitting speed bumps or speaking to rough roads


• Uneven braking feel or longer stopping distances related to suspension behavior

Concluding paragraph: If handling or braking feels off, the struts and related suspension components should be evaluated promptly, as continued driving can worsen wear and compromise safety.

Noises and mounting-related symptoms

These signs involve sounds and mount integrity, which often accompany worn struts or failed top mounts.

• Clunking, banging, or thudding noises when encountering bumps or potholes


• Knocking or creaking noises from the top mount area during steering or load changes


• Rattling or squeaking from the suspension when turning or going over rough surfaces

Concluding paragraph: Unusual noises are a common indicator of worn struts or faulty mounts; a professional inspection can determine if the struts, mounts, or related hardware need replacement.

Diagnostics and next steps

Before/while you seek professional help, here are practical checks to help confirm the problem and guide your next steps.

• Perform a bounce test: press down on each corner and release; if the car continues to bounce more than 1–2 times, damping may be worn


• Inspect for oil leaks on the strut shaft or around the boot seals


• Check mounting hardware for looseness, cracks, or wear


• Have a professional road test and inspect ride height, wheel alignment, and tire wear for camber and damping issues

Concluding paragraph: Early diagnosis and timely replacement help maintain ride comfort, handling, and safety; driving with bad struts can damage tires and affect braking performance.

DIY checks you can perform safely

Note: Some checks are simple and can be done at home on a safe, level surface. Avoid aggressive testing if you notice leaking, severe bouncing, or obvious damage; consult a professional instead.

Summary

Bad struts manifest as visual damage, abnormal ride quality, compromised handling, and unusual noises. Leaks, excessive bouncing, nose-diving, uneven tire wear, and clunking or squeaking are common indicators. If you notice these symptoms, have a qualified mechanic inspect the struts and related suspension components promptly to preserve safety and avoid further damage. Replacing worn struts as part of regular maintenance helps restore ride comfort, steering response, and braking performance.

How can I tell if my struts are bad?

You can tell your struts are bad by observing your vehicle's behavior, such as excessive bouncing, nose-diving under braking, or body roll during turns. You should also check for physical signs like fluid leaks, uneven tire wear, and listen for unusual noises like clunking or grinding sounds. 
How to check for bad struts

• Perform a bounce test: Push down on each corner of your car. If the car bounces up and down more than once after you release, the struts are likely worn. 
• Inspect for leaks: Look for any fluid leaking or seeping from the strut bodies, which indicates the seals are failing. 
• Check for uneven tire wear: Worn struts can cause your tires to bounce, leading to uneven wear patterns on the tire tread. 
• Look for damage: Visually inspect the struts for any signs of physical damage, corrosion, or cracks in the rubber components. 

Driving and handling signs

• Excessive bouncing: The vehicle continues to bounce for a long time after hitting a bump. 
• Nose-diving: The front of the car dips significantly when you brake hard. 
• Rear squatting: The rear of the car squats or sags when you accelerate. 
• Body roll: The car leans or sways excessively when turning. 
• Longer stopping distances: You may notice your vehicle takes longer to come to a complete stop. 

Other warning signs

• Unusual noises: Listen for clunking, knocking, or grinding sounds, especially when going over bumps or making turns. 
• Steering wheel vibration: A slight vibration can be normal, but if you feel a strong vibration, it could be a sign of worn struts or shocks. 
• Rough ride: The ride feels unusually rough or harsh, even on smooth roads. 

How do bad struts affect a car?

Bad struts negatively impact a car's handling, safety, and comfort by creating a bumpy ride, increasing stopping distances, and causing uneven tire wear. They can lead to the vehicle swaying during turns, diving excessively under braking, and making knocking or squeaking noises. Eventually, worn struts can cause damage to other suspension components and may lead to a complete loss of control.
 
This video explains the symptoms of bad struts and the potential consequences: 50sEasyAutoFixYouTube · Sep 21, 2024
Safety and handling issues

• Increased stopping distance: Bad struts can't absorb the force of a hard stop as effectively, which can increase your stopping distance by several feet. 
• Reduced stability: The vehicle may sway or feel unstable when cornering or changing lanes. 
• Loss of control: On bumpy roads, the wheels may vibrate violently, and the car could feel like it's floating or "flying" over speed bumps, making it harder to steer. 
• Braking instability: The front of the car can dip excessively when you brake, and the rear may lift and bounce uncontrollably. 

This video demonstrates what to look for when checking struts for signs of damage: 58sAutoMotivateYouTube · Jun 13, 2024
Comfort and wear issues

• Bumpy and noisy ride: You'll feel more vibrations and road impacts inside the cabin, with potential clunking, squeaking, or grinding noises when going over bumps or turning. 
• Excessive bouncing: The car may continue to bounce after hitting a bump, rather than settling down. 
• Uneven tire wear: Worn-out struts can cause the tires to bounce, leading to a condition called "cupping," where the tire tread develops high and low spots. 
• Damage to other parts: Poorly functioning struts put extra strain on other suspension components, such as ball joints and steering links, causing them to wear out faster and potentially leading to more expensive repairs. 
• Fluid leaks: A visual sign of a failed strut is the presence of hydraulic fluid leaks from the strut assembly. 

This video explains what to do if you suspect you have bad struts: 57sFixITYouTube · Jan 12, 2025

How to test struts without removing them?

With the wheels off the ground, grip the coil spring as close to the upper strut mount as possible. Push in and out on the strut and spring while watching for movement of the upper end of the strut piston rod. There should be no free movement. If there is excessive movement, the upper strut mount should be replaced.

What does a bad strut sound like when braking?

A bad strut can mimic brake problems by causing vibrations, pulling, or noise during braking. Inspect struts for leaks, dents, or worn mounts. Test brake components--pads, rotors, calipers--for wear or damage. If symptoms persist after brake inspection, replace faulty struts to restore stability.