Uneven tire wear – When your vehicle’s shocks and struts are worn out, the car can bounce, causing a reduction in road holding force. This bouncing can also cause accelerated tire wear including cupping or scalloping of the tires (when pieces of rubber are gouged out of the tire).
How much does it cost to replace BMW struts?
BMW 328i Suspension Shock or Strut Replacement Cost Estimate. The average cost for a BMW 328i suspension shock or strut replacement is between $1,819 and $1,935. Labor costs are estimated between $433 and $546 while parts are priced between $1,386 and $1,390.
Can I replace front struts myself?
Old struts can cause damage to expensive components like your control arm bushings, stabilizer bar end links, and ball joints. By replacing your front struts yourself, you can easily save yourself over $300. With new complete strut assembly kits, it has never been easier to handle this project yourself.
How long should BMW struts last?
Generally, shocks and struts wear out every 50,000-100,000 miles. If you’re a more aggressive driver and/or frequently drive on rough roads, they will wear out faster. Shocks and struts don’t go out all at once; they deteriorate slowly over time.
How do you change struts on a BMW 328i?
Do you need an alignment after replacing struts?
Monroe ® recommends performing an alignment anytime struts or other steering and suspension components are replaced. Failure to make sure the vehicle’s alignment is within factory specifications can lead to problems like premature tire wear and other customer comebacks.
How do I know when my struts are bad?
- Instability at highway speeds.
- Vehicle “tips” to one side in turns.
- The front end dives more than expected during hard braking.
- Rear-end squat during acceleration.
- Tires bouncing excessively.
- Unusual tire wear.
- Leaking fluid on the exterior of shocks or struts.
How long does it take to replace front struts?
Typically, it takes around one to two hours to change struts, according to most professional mechanics. Even if you decide to replace them on your own, the estimated time is the same as long as you have previous mechanical skills and follow the process correctly.
When replacing struts What else should be replaced?
If you are replacing a strut on a vehicle, you need to inspect the sway bar links and look up if there are cam bolts that can make camber adjustable. The sway bar links will make sure the suspension is silent after the strut is replaced and they probably need replacement due to wear.
Can you replace 1 strut at a time?
Do you have to replace both shock absorbers or struts if only one is bad? It’s not necessary, but it’s usually recommended to replace them in pairs, for example, both front struts or both rear shocks. This is because a new shock absorber will absorb road bumps better than the old one.
How do I know if I need new struts?
The most obvious sign of a problem with your shocks or struts is that your car is giving you a much more uncomfortable ride than normal. You’ll feel bumps more, so the ride will feel rough.
Will new shocks make ride smoother?
These parts wear out over time just like any other part of your car that wears out like tires. If it’s been a while since your struts or shocks have been changed or if you can’t remember the last time you got new ones, a new set can greatly improve your ride quality compared to your old, worn-out ones.
How can I temporarily fix my struts?
Does BMW 328i have shocks or struts?
The strut assembly, widely known as a MacPherson strut, is made up of a special shock absorber, a coil spring, and the rotating upper strut mount and bearing assembly.
What is a shock vs strut?
However, shocks and struts are two distinct parts with different functions. While both can help with your vehicle’s ride and handling, these parts work in different ways. Shocks are individual components of the suspension system while struts are a major structural component of the chassis and suspension system.
Do BMW have shocks or struts?
BMW models have rear shock mounts, shock bump stops, shock dust boot/sleeves, and strut nuts/bolts that make up the rear suspension.
How much do mechanics charge to change struts?
It usually costs between $150 to $450 per strut, depending on your make and model. Usually, both struts need to be replaced at the same time. Your cost for replacing a pair of struts will be between $300 and $900. Strut replacement can take several hours.
Can I do an alignment at home?
While it’s possible to do a DIY alignment at home, it’s best to have a mechanic do it for you at a service center near you. You can do the wheel alignment separately or as part of your annual tire care service and vehicle maintenance at Tom Kadlec Kia.
What noise does a bad strut make?
Bad strut sounds are usually described as a hollow clunking or banging type of sound. You’ll typically hear the noise when the vehicle is traveling over irregularities in the road. Most front strut assemblies also have a bearing at the top.
What happens if you drive with bad struts?
Loss of handling and control – Driving with failing shocks or struts has a direct impact on your ability to control your vehicle. You may notice that your vehicle bounces excessively, rolls or sways abruptly when making a turn, or that you feel out of control when hit by a cross wind.
Is it safe to drive with bad struts?
Is It Dangerous to Drive with Bad Struts? Yes, it’s dangerous to drive with bad shocks or struts. Fortunately, many signs indicate your car’s shocks and struts are malfunctioning, such as: Your car feels unstable, even if you are driving on a flat surface.
How do you check front struts?
Do I need a spring compressor to change struts?
Spring Compressor The shocks and struts on many vehicles are integrated with springs that can pop off and injure you or damage your vehicle if not removed properly. In such cases, you’ll need a spring compressor in order to take everything apart safely.
What happens if you don’t replace struts in pairs?
If you were to put a new strut on one side, and have a worn strut on the other side, the suspension will react differently when hitting bumps, and can cause the vehicle to lose control, as the struts will bounce and rebound at different rates. This can cause the vehicle to pull to one side.
Can you replace strut mount without removing strut?
Technically you can, you can loosen the top strut bolt from the top (don’t know if the socket will fit) then compress the springs to a point where it gives you enough room to work in there. Pry the bearings out and you would then somehow compress the strut from the top all the way to the bottom to take the bearing out.