Common Signs Associated with Your Volvo’s Front Strut Failure

Volvo’s are known to be extremely reliable and safe cars. However, it is a machine with many mechanical parts. It’s expected you’ll sometimes run into problems with your Volvo. For most cars, including Volvos, the average lifespan of the struts is between 50,000 to 100,000 miles. Even so, Volvo owners have noticed front strut failures to be a rather common issue.

A strut is a key structural component of the suspension system. The suspension system is what makes the drive smooth while going over bumps and potholes. The strut bears the weight of the vehicle, affecting the quality of the ride, brake performance, and steering response. In front-wheel-drive cars, the struts are located on the front wheels.

Why are struts important?

It’s important to keep in mind a strut is not a shock absorber, which is a part of the strut. These days not all cars have shock absorbers because the strut is capable of doing the job of shock absorbers and more. Vehicles can be driven without a shock absorber (if it was built with one), albeit it would be a bumpy ride. However, you cannot drive your vehicle without struts as vital functions of your Volvo, such as braking and steering, are dependent on them.

Signs that the Struts Are Going Bad

Here is a list of problems that you might notice when you have failing struts. It is critical to be aware that only a professionally trained mechanic can determine the exact issue with your car. Since struts have a great impact on safety, it is best to take your car to a garage with certified mechanics so that they may run a full diagnostic on your Volvo.

• Rough and Bumpy Ride: The job of the struts is to absorb the bumps of the uneven road surface so that you—the driver or the passenger—don’t feel the brunt. If you do feel these bumps, it’s time to check the struts.
• Problems With Steering: If you notice steering has become difficult, especially at low speeds or when making turns, this could be a sign the struts are wearing out.
• Front Lurches: If you notice your Volvo tends to lurch forward or seems like it’s taking a nose dive while you’re braking, this is a sure sign the struts should be inspected.
• Uneven Tire Wear: Since struts are intimately connected to wheels, any abnormal tire wear pattern is an indication to check if your Volvo’s struts are failing.
• Weird Noises: When the struts are not working properly, you might hear clunking noises, especially when you drive over potholes.
• Steering Wheel Vibrating: The struts are connected to the steering wheel. Therefore, with malfunctioning struts, you may feel a vibration in your steering wheel while driving or it might feel loose and shake.
• Car Drifts or Pulls: If your Volvo pulls or drifts during acceleration, braking or turning, it could imply something is wrong with the struts.
• Car Looks Tilted: Quite often, both struts don’t go out at once. So if you see that your car looks like it’s sitting low on one side, it would be a good idea to check the struts.
• Leaking Fluids: If you see clear evidence of hydraulic fluid leakage around the struts, they definitely need to be looked at. It could be something as simple as a failed gasket or seal, but it could also imply something more critical.

Diagnosis

We mentioned several symptoms of a malfunctioning strut. The challenge is that some of these signs could be indicative of other problems with your Volvo. The only way to know for sure whether it is the struts or anything else is to do a methodical and in-depth inspection. It is not a good idea to neglect any of these above-mentioned signs. Malfunctioning struts can lead to some dangerous consequences on the road, as your ability to steer and brake depends on them.

Francen and Son Foreign Car

Regular maintenance is key to having a safe and comfortable car. At Francen and Son Foreign Car, we are certified mechanics who are specifically trained to work and diagnose issues on your Volvo or other foreign car. We have been servicing and repairing cars since 1989. We use genuine OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. Allow our experience to benefit you. Call us, schedule an appointment online, or simply stop by our shop in Algonquin, Illinois.