How can you tell when struts need a rebuild or lubing?

Posted by 1fastben

1fastben
Ben Hetland
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1fastben

How can you tell when struts need a rebuild or lubing?
October 16, 2007 02:40PM

Registered: 09/12/2007
Posts: 297

The front left strut on my Foci (Hotbits single adjustable) makes a 'ell of a lot of squeaking; like I just push down hard on the front of the car and it squeaks loudly. Is this a sign that it needs to be rebuilt or just lubed? If lubing, what type?

One last question; how long do struts last for regular daily driving before needing a rebuild? I'm really hoping a long time, 'cause I don't completely wanna rebuild them.

Ben

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2007 02:56PM by 1fastben.

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Tim Taylor
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Re: How can you tell when struts need a rebuild or lubing?
October 16, 2007 03:54PM

Registered: 02/02/2007
Posts: 622

The squeak is most likely coming from the bearing in the strut mount not the strut. If it's a Teflon lined bearing replace it and if it's a normal steel one use some moly-grease.

Tim

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hoche
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Re: How can you tell when struts need a rebuild or lubing?
October 18, 2007 05:52AM

Registered: 02/28/2006
Posts: 1,156

> One last question; how long do struts last for
> regular daily driving before needing a rebuild?

That really depends on how you drive, where you drive, and how good the strut is. I think I got about 80K miles on the OEM Sachs ones that came on my original (bought new) '91 VW GTI, and about 100K miles on the OEM KYB's that were on my '99 Subaru OBS. My Bilstein rally struts last up to...uh...I dunno. I haven't ever actually worn a set out...at least not in a way that was THEIR fault. smiling smiley