Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site ut-ngp.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!ut-sally!ut-ngp!mberns From: mberns@ut-ngp.UUCP (Mark Bernstein) Newsgroups: net.auto.tech Subject: struts wearing out Message-ID: <2603@ut-ngp.UUCP> Date: Wed, 13-Nov-85 09:47:08 EST Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.2603 Posted: Wed Nov 13 09:47:08 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Nov-85 21:03:47 EST Distribution: na Organization: UTexas Computation Center, Austin, Texas Lines: 43 [] How can one tell if front MacPherson strut cartridges are significantly worn out and in need of replacement? I know it's obvious if they are leaking, or if the car rebounds wildly if you push down on a corner of the car (the "classic" test :-) ). But how about more subtle wearing out due to age, if there is such a phenomenon? My car is a 1980 Volvo, ~54,000 miles. A mechanic doing some other work pointed out that he thought the struts were showing "signs of wear" - noting some shiny bare metal streaks on the housing under the rubber dust boot just above the main spring - he said that indicated excessive travel & bottoming out. He also pointed out some *very* subtle staining in the dirt which encrusts the whole assembly, saying that was an indication of a little leaking, from age. I wouldn't have noticed the "stain" as an obvious leakage. He claims that after 5 years and 54K miles, struts would be on their last legs if not gone, and should be replaced. For $275 or so for gas pressurized struts and rear shocks, installed. Of course. My regular mechanic says that he has seen them last for 80 - 100K miles, and as long as you bounce the corner of the car and it still feels stiff and doesn't rebound beyond one bounce, you're ok. Naturally, if I try this they seem fine. Which is why I'm asking about all this. Is there any way of knowing who's "right", short of simply replacing the struts? Obviously I'd just as soon not spend that money, but on the other hand, it makes me crazy to drive a car which is not performing as it should I will admit that I don't notice any particular handling or ride difficulties, BUT: I've been driving the car daily for 5 years, and a *gradual* deterioration of handling and stability - not to dangerous levels - might not be noticeable to me, in the sense that a set of new shocks might be a pleasant surprise, bringing the car back to its original handling, which I may have "forgotten". And, the "push down on the fender and see what happens" test seems awfully simpleminded and unsubtle, given the generally taut springing and stabilizer bars found on European cars of this type. That test might do fine for a softly sprung full size Chevvie, but is it truly appropriate for this car? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. -Mark Bernstein (UT Austin, Speech)