The suspension strut is a strong metal strut that is positioned behind the wheel with the control arm sitting either side of it. It’s bolted to the chassis at the top and the lower control arm at the bottom. The strut consists of a metal bar with a damper positioned in the middle. Over the top of this metal bar sits a coil spring which in combination with the damper acts a shock absorber and cushions the vehicle from the bumps in the roads surface to provide a smoother ride. The suspension strut also improves the performance of the coil spring by dampening the effect the springs have when dealing with shocks.

The strut also plays a key part in steering and alignment.

Damage to the suspension strut can result in ‘forward plunge.’ This is where the vehicle shunts forward when brakes are applied.

Other issues can include the vehicle rocking from side to side or being unpredictable when handling. It’s also worth noting that the ride smoothness will greatly deteriorate if the suspension strut is showing signs of wear. A quick way of checking performance is to use a ‘bounce test.’