Subaru Struts

Too many times someone comes into a repair shop complaining about a "ghost" problem or a car that isn't responding the way it should. They're ready to trade in their whole vehicle because they can't figure out what's going on!

But one of the most common causes of these "phantom" problems is worn-out struts. Struts might not be the most visible components on your vehicle, but if they aren't working the way they should, you're bound to notice.

But how do you know when it's time to replace your vehicle's struts and why should you take your vehicle to Granite Subaru for repairs? We'll walk you through everything you need to know here.

How To Tell if It's Time To Replace Subaru Struts

Before you rush out and get someone to replace the struts on your vehicle you need to know if that's actually the problem. It's why we took the time to highlight seven common symptoms of worn struts for you here.

1. Instability at Highway Speeds

While excessive speed can make any vehicle feel a bit wobbly, this isn't something you should notice at normal highway speeds. It doesn't need to be an excessive amount of movement for it to be a problem either. Even slight up-and-down movements while driving at normal highway speeds can have serious implications.

2. Vehicle Feels Wobbly During Turns

Part of the job of the struts is to keep your vehicle level while turning. So it makes sense that if the struts are starting to fail, it'll start to feel a bit wobbly as you turn. You'll often feel the vehicle start to "tip" toward the outside of the turn in these situations.

This isn't something you'll likely notice until you have a reason to really hit your brakes. But once you do it's hard to miss. You already know how much the front end of a vehicle should dip in these situations, and if you notice an excessive difference it's a telltale sign of worn struts.

4. Rear End Dips Excessively During Acceleration

Just like if you hit the brakes too hard with worn struts, the front end will dip, if you accelerate too quickly, the rear end will dip down. The severity of the dip of the rear of your vehicle and rise at the front will depend on how fast you're accelerating and how much life is left on the struts.

5. Excessive Tire Bounce

Your struts are there to help level out your vehicle on uneven roadways and keep the tires on the ground. So, if the struts are starting to wear out, it makes sense that the tires will bounce around a bit more than normal.

Overall, you'll see the vehicle bouncing a bit more than it should after every dip or bump in the road, and it's normal to hear a clunking noise.

6. Unusual Tire Wear

This is something you'll notice if your vehicle needs new struts for a while and you don't replace them. All the extra jumping up and down on the road and excessive pulling in different directions can cause all sorts of unusual tread wear on the tires.

Not only will the tread wear in odd patterns, but it's also likely that the tread will wear down faster than it should.

7. Leaking Fluid on the Struts

If you take the time to look at the struts themselves one of the most telling signs that it's time to replace them is fluid leaking down the sides. Struts are a sealed system, which means that all the fluid inside the strut should always stay inside the strut.

If there's fluid leaking outside the strut, it's time to replace it, and the problems you're experiencing with the strut will only continue to get worse until you do.

Why Replacing Your Struts Is Important

To understand why the struts on your vehicle are so important you really need to understand what they do. The primary purpose of the struts is to keep your vehicle's wheels on the ground. This means if your vehicle needs new struts, the wheels will end up coming off the ground, causing you to lose traction and control of your vehicle.

Not only that, but worn struts will lead to various other components wearing out faster than they should. Tires, ball joints, control arms, and more will all wear out faster than they should, costing you more money in the long run even if you never end up in an accident.

Using the Right Struts

While you can find tons of aftermarket struts that you can bolt onto your vehicle, that doesn't mean they're all a good idea. Some aftermarket struts will do just fine, while others will leave you with subpar performance that can lead to dangerous driving conditions.

It's why we recommend sticking with genuine OEM replacement parts. These parts give you the same level of performance your vehicle had the day it rolled off the factory line. They take all the guesswork out of the equation, giving you reliable performance mile after mile.

Why You Should Go With Granite Subaru's Strut Service

If you think your vehicle might need a strut service, there's no better place to take your vehicle than Granite Subaru. First, they only use factory-trained technicians, ensuring that the technician working on your vehicle knows what they're doing.

They'll take the time to figure out what's going on with your vehicle and complete the correct repairs at a fair price - and you can rest easy knowing that they did the right job and got your vehicle back into pristine condition the first time.

Not only that, but Granite Subaru delivers an outstanding customer experience. They have free pickup and delivery valet services, a free shuttle service, and 24/7 online scheduling.

Moreover, every service comes with a complimentary alignment check, and they have a tire and lifetime alignment program you should ask about. Outstanding repairs and service at a great price are what Granite Subaru delivers every time.