When your car hits a bump in the road, the suspension springs and struts compress and release. Over time, these compressed springs and struts can become brittle and can break.
This can cause your car to sway back and forth when you hit bumps in the road, making it difficult to drive safely. If you have old suspension springs and struts in your car, it’s crucial to get rid of them as they may pose a safety hazard.
So, what to do with old struts? There are a few things you can do with old strut assemblies. You can cut them down to their parts and reuse them, or you can replace them with new assemblies.
If the old strut is beyond repair, you can remove it and recycle its parts. Let’s have a closer look.
Read also: How To Tell If Front And Rear Suspension Is Bad
What Are Struts On A Car?
Struts, present in various configurations, are known as lightweight structural components of modern independent suspension systems. They are found mounted on the top of every chassis at the front end of almost all front-wheel-drive automobiles.
While struts are straightforward to distinguish, they are also used in all forms of independent suspension configurations, not just front-wheel-drive ones.
What To Do With Old Struts
If your car’s struts are starting to show their age, there are a few things you can do to maintain their lifespan and keep them performing optimally. Replacing them altogether with new struts is an option, but if you’re on a tight budget or just don’t want the hassle, there are other things you can do to keep them in good shape. Choose any of the following:
Recycling Old Struts
When you replace your car’s struts, it’s important to recycle them. Struts can be recycled into new parts for other cars or used as a building material. Here are six ways to recycle old strut assemblies:
- Crush them and use the material to make new road surfaces or fill in potholes.
- Use them as replacement parts for worn-out car parts such as shock absorbers, springs, or ball joints.
- Melt down the strut assemblies and use the metal to create new car parts such as brake calipers, battery terminals, or exhaust pipes.
- Assemble the strut into a new ladder frame and sell it as an architectural model.
- Build a new car using the struts as structural components and sell the completed vehicle.
- Use the metal strut assemblies to create home decor by creating sculptures or planters from them.
- Use them as a replacement part for worn-out car parts such as shock absorbers, springs, or Balance.
Replace Your Old Struts
Strut replacement is a common fix, but it can also be replaced with aftermarket struts that are stronger and more durable. In case, you decide to replace the struts yourself, be sure to research the best option for your car and make sure all the necessary parts are available before starting.
In addition, keep in mind that replacing the struts can often result in increased gas and brake costs over time, so be prepared to budget for the repair.
Go For Proper Disposal
Resolving the proper disposal of strut parts is an essential matter. After all, environmental conservation is a vital corporate objective.
From an environmental perspective, product quality depends on not just superior functionality, ease of installation, and long-lasting performance, but also on saving resources, recycling, and preserving the environment.
Struts belonging to the reservoir tube can spring, and H2O can easily spill out, leading to gas-filled dampers experiencing high pressure, which can be as much as 30 bar.
Additionally, mineral oil accumulates in dampers, which can be devastating to the environment, if it enters the soil, water, or freshwater rivers and lakes. Additionally, do not leave a red zone with these catalysts of dismantling.
How to Dispose of Old Struts Properly
Taking the outdated struts to an accepted waste depot is an easy method to dispose of them. If you prefer DIY disposal of your old struts, follow the subsequent steps. Garlands, keep proper protection and safety procedures in mind at all times.
- Place the clamp fixture in a vise such that the top of the piston rod is always pointing downwards.
- Wear protective goggles to protect yourself.
- Drill a hole in the gas reservoir (about 3 mm) and use propane gas to bleed it out.
- Drill a 5-millimeter hole into the oil chamber.
- Move the oil to a matching container after you have pumped it.
- Wait until all remaining oil is removed from the chamber.
- Make the oil in question placed into a specially used oil tank.
- Cut up the empty damper. It’s acceptable as scrap. You can also go for recycling as we mentioned earlier.
Tips On Dealing With Old Struts
When your car is old, the struts may be starting to show their age. Replacing them can be expensive, so what do you do? Here are some tips on how to deal with old struts:
- Check the strut for wear and tear. If it looks like it needs to be replaced, then by all means go ahead and get new ones. However, if there is only minor wear and tear, you may be able to fix them yourself.
- Compare prices of new vs. used struts. New struts can be expensive, but sometimes used ones are just as good or even better quality for your car. Do your research before purchasing so you don’t end up spending too much money on something that won’t last long anyway.
- Inspect the strut for rust or corrosion. You can also replace the strut rods, but this is usually only necessary if the strut is seriously damaged. If you decide to go with a new strut, be sure to get one that meets your car’s specific needs.
- Examine the rubber grommets that are attached to the strut. If they look worn, replace them with new ones.
- Check the boltholes where the strut attaches to your car’s frame and make sure they are not rusted or corroded through. 6. Inspect the threads on the strut where it attaches to your car’s frame to make sure they are not rusted or corroded through.
- Examine the strut for scrapes, dents, or other damage that may indicate an accident or other damage.
Read also:
- What Is Static Suspension? Pros & Cons Of Static & Bagged
- How Much Is Air Suspension?
- Do You Need an Alignment After Replacing Struts?
- Car Bouncing Up and Down “Why?” Explanation
References:
