rear struts

[Paul56]

Went for an alignment today. Mechanic tells me the rear struts on my 2001 Neon are starting to leak. Bounce test and vehicle handling seem fine to me.

Generally how long will leaking struts last before I start to notice some serious effects? I'm guessing they are not leaking too bad right now as no spots on the ground under the vehicle.

Also facing a 2000 mile trip in the next few weeks. If I don't replace them, are the struts liable to become an issue during the trip? Do struts fail catastrophically quickly?

Figuring on keeping the vehicle another year or two at most.

 

[willix]

If they feel equal & the ride is satifactory to you, leave them alone. Leaking is dripping with droplets hanging off the bottoms of the tube. If a presence of dust has accumulated were the rod meets the strut body I would consider this minor seepage & even normal unless oil is washing away dirt.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Depending on where you went to have your alignment, you could have been given a line to drum up more business. That is my experience. Went to a chain muffler shop to have front brake slides lubed. Was told shock was leaking and needed replacement. The person changed his tune when I told him mileage on truck was less then 25,000 miles. I have had a better assessment by my independent mechanic. He never tried do repairs that were not needed. I would get a second opinion before doing any repairs. Since you are not going to keep the car long I would go to someone who understands your situation and someone you can trust.

 

[Paul56]

I had a closer look at the struts this morning... well, as best I could with the vehicle sitting on the ground and tires on.

There is some very mild accumulated "moisture" around the bottom of the lower spring plate but no drips that I can see on the parts or the ground underneath.

Now I'm debating whether to leave this alone and take my chances. I would sure hate for them to deteriorate to the point where I have to replace them along the trip.

In the old days with shocks I new what bad shocks were like... the bouncing and the wallowing of the vehicle as it rolled down the road. This vehicle doesn't behave anything like that.

I suspect there are more miles in those struts and in normal conditions I would just leave them... but with this trip coming up? Argh!

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Get lifetime warranted struts and view this as a one time replacement cost. With your trip coming up, erring on the safe side is prudent.

Worst case might be to lose a half day on your trip if you really had to replace them during the trip.

 

[willix]

Going on a road trip makes for easy miles. I'd let it go if it drives well.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

I'd say the worst that would happen is your ride would get worse while on the trip. Nothing terrible. The most likely scenario is that you'll complete the trip and the next year with no change that you can notice. Don't worry about it but keep an eye on it. If it truly starts to leak enough to matter then evaluate it again. If you know a mechanic you can trust get a 2nd opinion. If it was bearing noise, or a noisy alternator, or something that will cause a break down then I'd get it fixed asap. A barely leaking strut is not something to get worried about if you ask me. My 2 cents.

 

[mechtech2]

So there is a bit of wetness, but not a real leak?
This can be OK for years.
I'd take your trip.
A real leak has real wetness, and the strut will not dampen.

Don't be too hard on the mechanic, he is only pointing out a potential problem.

 

[Paul56]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
So there is a bit of wetness, but not a real leak?
This can be OK for years.
I'd take your trip.
A real leak has real wetness, and the strut will not dampen.

Don't be too hard on the mechanic, he is only pointing out a potential problem.


Thanks for your comments.

I had a better look this morning after the vehicle sat overnight. No spots under the rear and nothing about to drip either... just appears to be a seepage. Did the bounce test on both corners and that appears fine to me.

I appreciate the shop pointing it out so I am aware of it but I'm leaving this one alone for now.

If I start replacing parts just because there *might* be a problem then I may as well replace the whole car except for the metal shell.

 

[IndyIan]

Slight seepage is considered normal according to my FSM. You're not carrying 4 people plus luggage on your trip I assume? Even then if the struts fail completely there are lots of places to get them fixed in a couple hours. I've found any car repairs I've needed in the US a good experience.

 

[Paul56]

Well...

Took it in this morning to get an exhaust leak fixed and at the garage the passenger side CV joint basically "exploded" with a loud pop.

Now it needs to be replaced.

 

[willix]

Sounds like quite a coincidence. The same garage?