Strut Mounts

When replacing struts, it is always recommended that you replace the mount as well. Mounts may either consist of a complete assembly or a simple set of replacement bushings that will repair the mount to factory specifications. Strut mounts attach the strut to the vehicle's body and are a normal wear and tear item.

What Do Strut Mounts Do

Strut mount assemblies incorporate a bearing or a bearing plate that allows the strut to turn as the wheels turn since they are connected. This part also acts an in insulator between the road and the body of the vehicle to help reduce road and driveline vibrations or noises. When your vehicle's mounts start to wear out you will notice more and more road noise and vibration transfer into the cab as well as clunking noise over bumps. The symptoms can be similar to a worn out strut, and typically the two will wear out at the same rate.

When to Replace Strut Mounts

Because Strut mounts are a normal wear and tear item, it is always recommended to replace your them when you change struts, every 50,000 miles. Replacing the mounts requires removing the strut and spring from the vehicle, so replacing one while leaving the other can lead to hundreds of dollars in extra labor costs if you replace just the struts and then replace the mounts a month later.

A worn strut mount or bearing can affect your vehicle's alignment and steering. Since a vehicle alignment is required after replacing a strut or mount, replacing a worn mount is necessary for ensuring that the vehicle stays aligned.

Many vehicles have serviceable bushings, spring insulators or other small strut components. In most cases, replacing these items is optional but recommended while replacing struts, both because of the previously mentioned fact that replacement will cost quite a bit extra down the line and because replacing items like insulators and bushings can greatly reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) in your vehicle, which will make the vehicle much more pleasant to drive.

Other helpful links:

A breakdown of the different components in a strut

Fully assembled strut assemblies: