What is the purpose of a strut rod?

A strut rod, also known as a control arm, is a crucial component in the suspension system of a vehicle. It plays a vital role in maintaining the proper alignment and stability of the wheels, ensuring a smooth and safe driving experience.

What is a Strut Rod?

A strut rod is a metal bar or arm that connects the vehicle's chassis or frame to the wheel assembly. It is typically part of the front suspension system, though some vehicles may also have strut rods in the rear suspension. The strut rod is designed to control the movement and positioning of the wheels, allowing them to move up and down and pivot as the vehicle navigates various road conditions.

The Purpose of a Strut Rod

The primary purpose of a strut rod is to provide stability and control to the vehicle's suspension system. It serves several key functions:

• Wheel Alignment: The strut rod helps maintain the proper alignment of the wheels, ensuring they remain perpendicular to the road surface. This is crucial for maintaining the vehicle's handling, stability, and tire wear.


• Suspension Control: The strut rod helps control the movement of the wheels as they travel over bumps, potholes, and other road irregularities. This helps to absorb the impact and provide a smooth, comfortable ride.li>
  
• Steering Stability: By keeping the wheels properly aligned, the strut rod helps to maintain the vehicle's steering stability, making it easier to control and maneuver.


• Tire Wear Reduction: Proper wheel alignment, facilitated by the strut rod, helps to reduce uneven tire wear, extending the life of the tires.

Without a functioning strut rod, the vehicle's suspension system would be compromised, leading to poor handling, increased tire wear, and potentially dangerous driving conditions.

Conclusion

The strut rod is a critical component of a vehicle's suspension system, responsible for maintaining wheel alignment, controlling suspension movement, and ensuring steering stability. By understanding the purpose and importance of the strut rod, vehicle owners and mechanics can better maintain their vehicles and ensure a safe, comfortable, and efficient driving experience.

What happens when a strut mount goes bad?

When a strut mount goes bad, you will likely experience abnormal noises like clunking or squeaking, increased vibration, poor handling, and uneven tire wear. A worn-out mount can also affect wheel alignment and, in some cases, may lead to further damage to the strut itself.
 
This video demonstrates the clunking and knocking sounds that can occur with a bad strut mount: 57sFixITYouTube · Jan 12, 2025
Common symptoms

• Noises: Expect clunking, knocking, grinding, or creaking sounds, especially when driving over bumps, turning, or going over rough terrain. 
• Vibration: You may feel more vibration in the steering wheel or through the chassis, particularly on uneven roads. 
• Poor handling: The vehicle may feel less stable. You might notice more body roll when turning or less responsive and stable steering. 
• Uneven tire wear: A bad strut mount can negatively impact your vehicle's alignment, leading to uneven wear on your tires. 
• Steering issues: You might notice a stiffer or "wandering" steering feel, or the steering may not return to the center position as it should. 

You can watch this video to learn more about how poor handling is a symptom of a bad strut mount: 57sHonest Mechanic ColoradoYouTube · Oct 26, 2023
Why these symptoms occur
The strut mount connects the strut to the car's chassis and is a key part of the suspension system. Its job is to absorb shock and vibration and keep the strut properly aligned. When the mount wears out or fails, it can no longer perform these functions effectively, leading to the symptoms listed above. 
This video explains why a bad strut mount can lead to poor handling: 55sCyclone CydYouTube · Sep 17, 2023
What to do

• Inspect: Check the strut mounts for visible signs of wear, such as cracks, tears, or separation from the metal. 
• Replace: It is best to replace both strut mounts at the same time and in pairs. 
• Align: After replacement, get a wheel alignment to ensure your vehicle handles correctly and to prevent uneven tire wear. 

Does a strut bar actually help?

Strut bars are worth it for drivers who frequently drive on curvy roads or engage in performance driving, as they provide noticeable handling improvements by stiffening the chassis and maintaining alignment. For daily, straight-road driving, the benefits are less pronounced, and the main advantages are often cosmetic, though some may still feel a slight tightening of the front end.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the pros and cons of strut bars: 42sCars SimplifiedYouTube · Jun 15, 2024
Benefits of strut bars

• Improved handling: By connecting the two strut towers, a strut bar resists the flexing of the chassis during turns, which keeps the suspension geometry more consistent and can reduce understeer or oversteer. 
• Increased stability: They provide more stability when cornering and on uneven roads, as they make it more difficult for the strut towers to deform. 
• Tire wear: Even for daily driving, a strut bar can help tires wear more evenly over time, which may save money on replacements. 
• Under-hood aesthetics: Many owners install them simply because they like the look of a more finished engine bay. 

When strut bars are less beneficial

• Daily commuting: The difference is often negligible for drivers who don't frequently drive at high speeds or on winding roads.
• Stiffly-chassis cars: Cars that already have a very rigid chassis may not see a significant improvement from a strut bar. 

Potential drawbacks

• Maintenance access: A front strut bar can sometimes make it more difficult to access certain engine components for maintenance or repairs. 
• Rear storage: A rear strut bar may take up space that was previously used for storage. 
• Improper alignment: Installing a strut bar without getting a wheel alignment afterward can lead to uneven tire wear. 

What are the symptoms of a bad strut rod bushing?

Standard rubber material used in OE bushings is prone to deterioration due to weather, road hazard or contamination. Symptoms include road wander while driving and rattling or clunking while driving or braking on rough roads.

Can you drive a vehicle with bad struts?

You can technically drive with bad struts, but it is unsafe and not recommended as it compromises vehicle control, increases braking distance, and can damage other parts. The ride will be bouncy, and handling will be unstable, especially during turns or sudden maneuvers, making it dangerous in emergency situations. It is best to drive directly to a repair shop at a low speed, or have the vehicle towed. 
This video explains the signs of bad struts and when it's safe to continue driving: 58s8020 AutomotiveYouTube · Jul 28, 2024
Safety and control issues

• Poor handling: The vehicle may sway excessively during turns and feel unstable even on a flat surface. 
• Increased braking distance: Bad struts reduce your car's ability to stay planted on the road, which can significantly increase the distance it takes to stop. 
• Loss of traction: The instability can cause your tires to lose contact with the road, especially in wet or slippery conditions, making it difficult to control the vehicle. 
• Unpredictable reactions: Your car may react poorly to bumps and uneven roads, potentially leading to an accident. 

Other consequences

• Uneven tire wear: Bad struts can cause uneven contact between your tires and the road, leading to "cupping" or "scalloping" on the tire tread. 
• Accelerated wear on other parts: The added strain can cause other suspension and steering components to wear out faster, leading to more costly repairs down the line. 

What to do

• If you notice signs of bad struts, such as excessive bouncing or a bouncy ride, get them inspected by a professional as soon as possible. 
• If you must drive, do so cautiously and slowly, avoiding sharp turns and sudden stops. 
• For severely damaged struts, it is safest to have the vehicle towed to a repair shop.