One thing with cars is that they can develop unexpected issues that require immediate attention at any given time being that it’s been in use for a long time. Some of these problems can be a bad strut. Driving with a bad strut is not advisable, so what do you do? How do you temporary fix bad strut?
To temporarily fix a bad strut depends on the type of problems the strut is having. If the strut has completely gone bad, there might not be a temporary fix. But, if the problem is minor, you can use an inflatable air bladder or rubber blocks to provide temporary support to the struts.
Temporary Fix for Bad Strut
To temporarily fix a bad strut, you need to:
1. Park the Car at a Safe Place
If the strut gets spoilt while you’re driving, you need to find a safe space to park the car so you can check what is wrong with the car. Do not be in a haste to park where you’re not supposed to.
2. Inspect the Strut
After parking, the next thing would be to inspect the strut to see what’s wrong with it. There are problems one can fix temporarily and problems that do not have a temporary fix.
If after inspecting the strut you discover that the problem can be temporarily fixed, then proceed with the fixing using the method explained below.
3. Use an Inflatable Air Bladders or Rubber Blocks
Inflatable air bladders or rubber blocks can be used to provide temporary support to the struts. So if your struts go bad, you can use it as a temporary measure to have it fixed.
However, inflatable air bladders or rubber blocks are part of the accessories that come with an emergency tire inflator kit. Not everyone has it. Therefore, this kind of temporary fix for the strut is possible of you have one at your disposal.
4. Check for Loose Bolts and Tightened Them
While inspecting what is wrong with the strut, endeavor to check for loose bolts and tighten them. The same goes with any nuts. If the nuts are not properly tightened, please have them tightened.
5. Use a Rubber or Foam Padding
If vibration is one of the problems the strut is giving you, you can add rubber or foam padding to the strut mount as well as the vehicle frame to minimize and stop the vibration. This will enable you to either drive home or to an auto shop where the problem can be diagnosed and fixed.
6. You can Use Zip Ties
Zip ties and bungee cords can be used as a temporary fix for struts if the struts are sagging and unstable. It will provide some kind of stability to the strut to enable you to drive to your location for a possible fix.
Be that as it may, with all the temporary fixes stated in this article, if the strut has completely gone bad, it’s best to have the car towed to an auto shop where it can be fixed professionally. Temporary fixes are just temporary and are not meant to last forever.
Can You Fix Struts Without Replacing Them?
You can fix struts without replacing them if the problem is something you can easily identify and fix. However, if the strut has completely gone bad, you will have to replace it to fix the problem forever.
It totally depends on the kind of problem the strut is having. Moreover, struts are not something that easily goes bad or something that can just be replaced expect if your car is bouncing in an unbearable way.
Signs of a Bad Strut
The symptoms of bad struts are:
- Nose Dive When Braking: If your strut is bad, you may experience a nose dive when you push down your brake pedal, you will feel like the front end of your car is dipping quickly toward the ground.
- Wear and Tear on your Tires: Another sign of a bad strut is if you have uneven wear and tear on your tires. While this can be a sign of other problems in the car, it’s also a sign that something is wrong with your strut.
- Bouncing while Driving: A bouncy drive is a common sign that your strut is bad. It’s one of the most common signs that something is wrong with your strut, therefore, if you are experiencing a bouncy ride, the strut could be the culprit.
- Leakages: Fluid leaks are one of the signs that your strut is about to die. Therefore If you notice too much fluid leak around your shock or strut, please have them replaced immediately.
- Steering Vibration: It’s normal to experience shaking or vibration while driving on roads that are not good. Therefore, if you also experience the same thing on good roads, you need to check the struts to be sure it’s not the cause of the problem.
What Happens If You Don’t Fix Struts?
If you don’t fix a bad strut and continue to drive with it, it can reduce the braking efficiency of your car. The car will no longer stop at the same distance it used to stop when you use the brakes which can be very dangerous
You will also experience a lot of tire wear in the sense that you will see yourself changing tires here and there. It didn’t stop there, it will go a long way in affecting the way you handle and control your car as well as an increased wear on the suspension parts.
What Can I Replace Along with Struts?
While replacing your struts, you should also replace the strut mount and the strut boot to enable smooth driving. The mount and boots help to optimize suspension performance to provide smooth steering response and reduced vibration.
How Long Can You Drive with a Bad Strut?
How long you can drive with a bad strut depends on how bad the strut is. If the strut has completely gone bad, you should stop the car immediately and tow it to auto shop for replacement.
But if the strut is still manageable, you can manage to drive the car to an auto shop for possible fix/replacement. It all depends on what’s wrong with the strut.
Conclusion
The temporary fix you can give a strut depends on the problem it has. If it’s something that can be temporary fixed, go ahead, but if not, tow the car to an auto shop/dealership and have the problem fixed.