When your vehicle’s struts are in bad shape, it can lead to a bumpy and uncomfortable ride. Not only that but driving with failing struts can be hazardous, affecting your control and handling.
However, while it is important to replace bad struts for long-term safety and vehicle performance, there are some temporary measures you can take to make your ride safer while you arrange for necessary repairs. Therefore, how do you temporarily fix bad struts?
To temporarily fix bad struts, you should minimize your driving, adjust your driving style, check and maintain your tire pressure, distribute weight evenly on all the struts, and use reinforcement plates and strut stiffeners.
Temporary Fix for Bad Struts
Here are how you can temporarily fix bad struts:
1. Use Strut Mount Reinforcement Plates
You can make use of strut mount reinforcement plates to temporarily fix bad struts. They are aftermarket products designed to offer additional support to your struts, enhancing their performance.
These plates can be installed on either the top or bottom of the strut mounts, providing temporary reinforcement to the damaged struts.
However, for you to be able to use strut mount reinforcement plates to temporarily fix your bad struts, you need tools like:
- Strut mount reinforcement plates (compatible with your vehicle)
- Socket wrench or spanner
- Appropriate mounting hardware (usually included with the plates)
- Torque wrench, etc.
To use strut mount reinforcement plates to temporarily fix your bad struts, follow the steps below:
- Locate the Strut Mounts: Open the hood of your vehicle and locate the bad strut mounts. Strut mounts are generally found near the top of the suspension strut towers, usually in the engine bay area. There is one on each side, as there is a front strut mount and a rear strut mount.
- Remove Obstructions: Depending on your vehicle’s brand and model, there might be obstructions in the engine bay that block access to the strut mounts. If so, carefully remove or move these components to allow access to the strut mounts. This could include items such as the battery, air filter box, or other engine bay components.
- Position the Reinforcement Plates: Place the strut mount reinforcement plates on top of the strut mounts, ensuring that they align with the holes on the mount.
- Secure the Plates: Attach the reinforcement plates to the strut mounts using the provided hardware. This involves fastening brackets to the strut mounts and securing them in place with nuts and bolts. Ensure that the hardware is tightened securely, but avoid over-tightening, as this can damage the components.
- Torque to Specifications: To ensure that the reinforcement plates are properly secured, use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts according to the manufacturer’s specifications. It’s important to follow the recommended torque values to prevent damage or overtightening.
- Reassemble Components: If you removed any components to access the strut mounts, reassemble them carefully.
- Test Drive the Vehicle: Once the strut mount reinforcement plates are installed, take the vehicle for a test drive. While driving, monitor how the vehicle handles especially anytime you want to make a cornering and maneuvers. You should notice improved stability and handling characteristics.
However, while strut mount reinforcement plates won’t fix the bad struts permanently, they can help alleviate some of the strain on the suspension system and make your ride more comfortable and safe.
2. Use Strut Stiffeners
Strut stiffeners are another option for temporarily improving the performance of bad struts. These aftermarket products are designed to provide extra support and stability to the suspension system, helping to reduce the impact of damaged struts.
It can be installed between the strut towers (the areas where the struts are attached) to reinforce the chassis and reduce flexing, particularly during hard cornering or sudden maneuvers.
However, to use a strut stiffener to temporarily fix bad struts, you need to gather the necessary equipment needed to install the device. These tools are:
- Strut stiffener/strut tower brace
- Appropriate mounting hardware (usually included with the brace)
- Wrenches or sockets
- Torque wrench, etc.
You can now proceed with installing the device. But first, ensure to get a strut stiffener that is compatible with your vehicle’s brand and model. The design and specifications can vary, so it’s important to get the correct one for your car.
You also need to park your vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake before starting the installation. The engine should be off as well.
Follow the procedure below to install the stiffener:
- Locate the Strut Towers: Open the hood of your vehicle and locate the strut towers, which are usually located near the top of the engine bay on both sides.
- Remove Necessary Components: Depending on your vehicle, you may need to remove some components, such as the air filter box, car battery, or any obstructions that block access to the strut towers.
- Position the Strut Stiffener: Carefully place the strut stiffener between the strut towers, ensuring that it lines up properly. You might need to adjust it to fit precisely.
- Secure the Strut Stiffener: Use the provided hardware to attach the strut stiffener to the strut towers. This however involves fastening brackets to the towers and securing them in place with nuts and bolts. Ensure that the hardware is tightened securely, but avoid over-tightening, as this can damage the components.
- Torque to Specifications: To ensure the strut stiffener is properly secured, use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts according to the manufacturer’s specifications. It’s important to follow the recommended torque values to prevent damage or overtightening.
- Reassemble Components: If you had to remove any components during the installation, reassemble them carefully. If you disconnect the battery before starting the installation, it is time to reconnect it.
- Test the Stiffener: Once the strut stiffener is installed and all components are secured, give it a test drive. Pay attention to how the vehicle handles, especially during cornering and other maneuvers. You should notice improved stability and handling characteristics.
However, while strut stiffeners are not a long-term solution, they can be beneficial for a short period and can make your ride safer and more manageable.
3. Check and Adjust Tire Pressure
One of the temporary fixes for bad struts is to check and adjust your tire pressure. This is because proper tire maintenance is important when dealing with bad struts.
Underinflated or overinflated tires can exacerbate the strain on your suspension system. Therefore, you need to inflate your tires at the right air pressure to keep them running.
Balanced tire pressure distributes the weight more evenly across the struts, providing some relief to the damaged struts.
When the tire pressure at the bad struts has gone too low or not at the correct level it is supposed to be, it can put too much weight on the struts, therefore, putting more strain on the bad struts while you drive.
4. Distribute Weight Evenly on all the Struts
Another temporary fix for bad struts is to distribute weight evenly on all the struts in your vehicle. This is because uneven weight distribution within your car can strain the struts and make your ride even bumpier.
If it is your rear struts that are bad, avoid overloading your trunk or back seat with heavy items, as this places extra stress on the rear struts.
Instead, try to distribute the weight as evenly as possible, keeping heavier items low in the trunk or secured in the middle of the back seat. This will help reduce the impact on your struts and make your ride smoother.
5. Reduce Driving and Minimize Stress
One of the steps in dealing with bad struts is to reduce your driving to the absolute minimum. Limit your trips to important journeys, such as commuting to work or visiting the grocery store.
By minimizing your time on the road, you’ll decrease the wear and tear on your struts and extend their life until you can replace them.
Furthermore, avoid rough roads, potholes, and off-road conditions as much as possible. These conditions can worsen the condition of your struts, leading to further damage.
Drive cautiously, slow down when encountering road imperfections, and take it easy around corners to reduce the stress on your suspension system.
Conclusion
Driving with bad struts is not only uncomfortable but also poses safety risks. It’s important to replace them as soon as possible.
However, if you need to temporarily make your ride safer while you make arrangements for repairs, minimize your driving, adjust your driving style, check and maintain tire pressure, distribute weight evenly, and consider reinforcement plates and strut stiffeners.
Remember that these are only temporary fixes. Replacing your struts is the most effective way to ensure your safety and the long-term health of your vehicle.
