Consequences of driving with bad struts?

[xfinite]

Hey everyone, just picked up a 2000 Outback. Driver side front strut is bad. Although the only real symptom I notice is the car jerks when turning/hitting a bump. Nothing dramatic but it is noticeable.

Cheapest quote I got to replace both front struts is $450 parts/labor. But I'm wondering. What am I risking by driving around with one bad strut in terms of damaging other suspension components?

[there4igraham]

Here's what happens when you drive a Subaru with bad struts.
Subaru Impreza with blown struts... I mean... wicked custom suspension. - YouTube

[rasterman]

Awesome video, great illustration of aggressive/panic braking with a lousy strut or three!

But to answer your question- it typically puts extra stress on the front brakes (and less on the rear) and makes the springs work harder. Maybe some funky tire wear too. Not that bad as far as normal driving goes.

The real problem with bad struts is that it totally smokes your chances for a clean avoidance maneuver at highway speed.

[xfinite]

Originally Posted by there4igraham

Here's what happens when you drive a Subaru with bad struts.
Subaru Impreza with blown struts... I mean... wicked custom suspension. - YouTube

Wow, don't think mine are quite that bad yet. Haha...

[xfinite]

Originally Posted by rasterman

Awesome video, great illustration of aggressive/panic braking with a lousy strut or three!

But to answer your question- it typically puts extra stress on the front brakes (and less on the rear) and makes the springs work harder. Maybe some funky tire wear too. Not that bad as far as normal driving goes.

The real problem with bad struts is that it totally smokes your chances for a clean avoidance maneuver at highway speed.

Gotcha! I'd like to wait until Spring to change them. Sounds like I should be able to do that without wearing other parts out to much.

Thank you very much!

[grossgary]

nope, not a big deal. it won't handle or perform the same obviously but not a big deal.

it was said that a bad strut puts more strain on the springs since they have to carry more load and do more work. might want to replace them anyway.

3 nuts two bolts hold it to the vehicle, that's it, if you want to do it yourself. then there's an ancillary bracket or two for the abs sensor to swap over, another bolt.

you could buy a used one for $50 from Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market and be done in 30 minutes or for new parts - remove and install yours and take it to a shop to do the strut/spring disassembly.

RockAuto Auto Parts has great prices sometimes.

[xfinite]

Originally Posted by grossgary

nope, not a big deal. it won't handle or perform the same obviously but not a big deal.

it was said that a bad strut puts more strain on the springs since they have to carry more load and do more work. might want to replace them anyway.

3 nuts two bolts hold it to the vehicle, that's it, if you want to do it yourself. then there's an ancillary bracket or two for the abs sensor to swap over, another bolt.

you could buy a used one for $50 from Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market and be done in 30 minutes or for new parts - remove and install yours and take it to a shop to do the strut/spring disassembly.

RockAuto Auto Parts has great prices sometimes.

Thank you very much! If I wait until Spring I can do it myself (no place to do the work right now). A local shop quoted me at $450 to do both front's. Sounds reasonable I think?

The shop also mentioned that my steering rack was leaking on the driver side (the boot is ripped). But he said he thinks I'd be fine to just keep the reservoir topped off. My sway bar end links could also use a replacement but he said they aren't terrible.

I don't think end links really bother anything when they are bad. And if the steering rack did completely die I'd just lower power steering if I understand correctly. Not that I plan on letting that happen but..

[H61]

That is not a bad quote. Which MFG of strut? I paid 350 for KYB struts, mounts, bellows and stops and I did the install. For just struts I was at 180. 450 installed is a good price if you are unable to do the work. Just for laughs I called the local dealer and got a quote for just fronts and it was 900 (just struts) or 1600 front and rear. Did my whole car under 500.

I would change them sooner than later, they will eventually damage other front end components as well as making the car very unstable/unsafe in an evasive maneuver.

[xfinite]

Originally Posted by H61

That is not a bad quote. Which MFG of strut? I paid 350 for KYB struts, mounts, bellows and stops and I did the install. For just struts I was at 180. 450 installed is a good price if you are unable to do the work. Just for laughs I called the local dealer and got a quote for just fronts and it was 900 (just struts) or 1600 front and rear. Did my whole car under 500.

I would change them sooner than later, they will eventually damage other front end components as well as making the car very unstable/unsafe in an evasive maneuver.

Good question. I'm gonna call and ask.

$180 sound a lot better then $450!!! I wish I had a place to do the work. If I can make it till spring I could do it myself. Sucks!

$900 is insane! Wow.

Yea that's the thing. I want to wait. But I do travel quite a bit on the weekends. Just comes down to chancing it for another 2/3 months. Or eat the cost now and have this shop install them. Which could save me money in the long run I guess.

[cardoc]

$450 for front struts is cheap using cheap struts. You may also want to inquire about the alignment after. If you do it yourself, be sure to mark the spindle down the lower strut line so you can get the upper camber bolt back in close to the same spot. It will make the alignment easier.