Last updated on February 1st, 2024
Not replacing the damaged struts can cause severe accidents. The bad struts affect the braking efficiency and increase the braking distance. They are also responsible for tire wear and further damage to transmission parts. Bad struts also interfere with the engine’s control mechanisms and functionalities.
This is just the beginning. There is much more information left on What Happens If You Don’t Replace Struts. So keep scrolling!
What happens if you don’t replace struts?
There are many severe consequences if you don’t replace the the struts. Struts are a very important part of the transmission system of your vehicle.
But they are useless if they are out of order. Let’s see some results using bad struts in your car.
Reduced Braking Efficiency
Struts have an important role in maintaining the weight distribution of the car. Proper distribution is necessary for using the brakes of the car. When this distribution is hampered, the braking distance increases.
So are bad struts dangerous? Yes, the increased braking distance due to the bad struts can cause an accident.
Reduced Handling
The handling mechanism of the car is directly dependent on the struts.
Damaged struts cause difficulties in controlling the car. The steering becomes stiff and handling becomes more complex. Bad struts also affect the alignment and stability of the car.
So can I get an alignment with bad struts? Yes, you can get an alignment with bad struts but it’s not recommended. Because the alignment won’t be enough to fix the issues of the car if the struts are damaged.
Increased Tire & Suspension Parts Wear
Tires carry the total weight of the car and are the only component that makes contact with the road. It is very important to have healthy tires for utmost safety. But bad struts affect the tires adversely.
Bad struts can cause the wheels to tilt inward or outward, leading to misaligned wheels. The pressure on the tire gets imbalanced due to bad struts. Misaligned wheels can cause the tires to wear unevenly, resulting in premature tire wear.
Then the tire wear increases. Furthermore, bad struts also cause wear on other parts of the suspension system. As a result, the car’s health gets compromised.
Bumpy Ride
The primary function of the struts is to ensure a smooth ride. But it’s not achievable if they are broken. Damaged struts can not handle the shocks and bounces of the road.
As a result, the car shakes and vibrates more than normal.
This results in a very bumpy ride. These are the major setbacks of not replacing the damaged struts. Now let’s check out the longevity of the bad struts.
Temporary Measures to Follow for Bad Struts?
It is not very wise to use bad struts. However, sometimes the situation might compel you to use them. So I’ll discuss some measures for handling the bad struts.
Be Careful Around The Corners
Bad struts hamper the weight distribution of the car. Hence, the car can go out of balance while taking corners. So, you have to be careful in such situations.
Maintain a slow speed and steer the car properly to avoid accidents with bad struts.
Slow Acceleration
Accelerating the car very quickly will produce more pressure on the bad struts. It can result in complete struts failure.
So, press the accelerator pedal with ease. Take enough time while increasing the speed of your car.
Avoid Bumps
Broken struts bounce more than normal ones. And these bounces become unbearable on bad roads.
So, beware while driving on a bumpy road. Avoid the holes and bumps in the road to lessen the shocks on the struts.
Stop the Car Smoothly
The car braking depends heavily on the struts. I have already discussed how the broken struts increase the braking distance. So make sure to use the brakes smoothly and on time. Try not to use the brakes suddenly. You will have to be extra careful on the road to do this.
These are some temporary measures to take if you have bad struts.
However, do not rely on these techniques for a long time. Rather, change the struts as soon as possible for your safety.
FAQs
How do I know if my struts are bad?
You can tell if your struts are bad by observing their condition. Bad struts make more noise. You will also find fluid leakage if your struts are broken. The car will bounce more than usual and have an unbalanced alignment. The braking distance will also increase due to the bad struts.
What causes struts to fail?
The struts fail because of several reasons. Firstly, the old age of the strut can cause its failure. Secondly, the bumpy roads also affect the struts’ condition. Thirdly, heavy loads on the car can cause the struts to fail. Last but not least, the struts fail due to bad weather conditions too.
Last words
This is all on the topic of what happens if you don’t replace struts. I hope that you have understood the importance of strut replacement and will do it ASAP!
Also, make sure to check the struts of your car regularly if they are old. This practice will save you from potential accidents.
