RoughTrax have had an in-depth look at Suspension Struts. We hope to show you what they do, what they shouldn’t do and why the Struts at RoughTrax are worth considering!
What are struts and how do they work?
A Strut, usually fitted to the front on most independent suspension 4x4 vehicles now, is an essential part of the vehicles front suspension. Usually connecting between the lower wishbone and chassis, they support the vehicles weight whilst providing the necessary suspension and handling.
Though not all suspension systems have this setup, some have separate shocks absorbers to control the compression and rebound of a leaf or separate coil.
The purpose of the Strut is to:
- Support the weight of the vehicle in one compact assembly.
- Help keep the wheels in contact with the ground.
- Reduce the impact received from any potholes and rough ground you drive over.
- Along with the steering system, struts help the vehicle turn by allowing movement in the suspension whilst providing stability.
A Strut is a term usually given to one compact assembly consisting of a shock, coil spring and a top mounting. The coil fits over the shock and is located in a seat to prevent the coil turning, a top mounting or bearing assembly then secures the coil in place whilst a lower shock eyelet is usually secured to the lower wishbone with a single mounting point.
On Toyota 4x4’s most top mounts are set in a specific position to align with the chassis, that’s why at RoughTrax we always setup the struts and identify as being LH, N/S or RH, O/S to help fitment.
Quite often Struts tend to be a lighter component that lend themselves well to being fitted in tighter locations due to their compact assembly.
At RoughTrax we build strut assemblies in-house using only quality branded components from Pedders or Monroe. Each strut is handed, and tailor built for the vehicle being fitted to keep labour and equipment costs to a minimum.
We have been supplying Pedders and Monroe products for over ten years now and have received very positive feedback about their quality. Pedders are an Australian brand, and their suspension products are designed specifically for driving in the outback. Just what you need if you are using your vehicle off-road or want more performance. Monroe Shocks are for more standard use.
When do I need to replace my Suspension Struts?
Here are a few warning signs to look out for:
- Your vehicle feels stable yet is continually moving up and down.
- When you turn a corner your Toyota tips or leans excessively into the turn.
- When you use the brakes the front of your vehicle dives forward more than normal.
- The front lifts while the rear dips down when accelerating.
- After you drive over a bump in the road, the tyres feel like they’re bouncing for a short time.
- There is uneven/wavy tread wear on your tires as the tyre isn’t being held firmly on the road.
- If you notice any leaking fluids on the outside of the shock absorbers it may mean that a seal is broken.
RoughTrax Struts
Key features of the Struts we supply:
- Standard and Lifted options available
- Pre-assembled to save you time and effort
- Built with High quality Pedders/Monroe Shocks, Pedders Coil springs and Mounts
- Available for:
Hilux Pick Up MK6’s and Mk7’s, Land Cruiser 90 Series 120 Series, 185 Hilux Surfs
Thanks for reading!