How do I know if struts are good or bad?

[boat]

I know, dumb question, been around long enough.

I have some used Motorcraft struts/spring combo available to me that I am debating on using or not on my most recent acquisition of a 93 MTX. I am on a budget, so I really can't spend much, and have 2 options in mind if I don't use these.

My question, if the rear struts are good, should I be able to push down on them easily and the car dips and comes back up with out too much rebound? As of now, I can push down on the rear of the car they will be coming off of, and it seems too easy to push down, but then comes right back up with no bouncing. I always thought that was bad and that if the struts were good, you shouldn't be able to do that.

These used struts/springs are currently on a car Bubba and I were building for his wife, but recently decided against going any further with the build due to other circumstances.

 

[kevinspann]

Ease of pushing down isn't a great indicator with stock springs. If you drive it and it doesn't seem too floaty they're probably fine. If you bounce the car a couple times and it keeps bouncing on it's own, maybe not so much. If you pull it off and push the strut rod down and it stays down, or if the strut rod rattles in the housing, then also bad, lol.

 

[RonPorter]

All of us have seen cars/trucks floating & bouncing down the road with really worn-out shocks/struts. Maybe due to the heavier springs, I have never seen a SHO do that.

Well, in one case.......after I had about 300-400 miles on the new GR2s with Eibach springs, the front became floaty, but they were new!!

OTOH, on the other times I've replaced SHO struts with something new/newer, it has always felt more tied-down. These have also entailed different springs in every one of those cases, so that may also be a part of it.

 

[rubydist]

with stock springs, good rear struts will rebound, overshoot about 1/2" inch and then return to rest. anything that moves more than back up and down a little to rest suggests that the struts are worn.

 

[luigisho]

Wish we could find a way to get oem struts remanned or something.

 

[boat]

I have, bought a 92 SHO with worn out rear struts, that thing pogo'd like crazy, was not fun. Would bounce for days.

Say what? Not sure how much of the rest of that I followed.

All of us have seen cars/trucks floating & bouncing down the road with really worn-out shocks/struts. Maybe due to the heavier springs, I have never seen a SHO do that.

Well, in one case.......after I had about 300-400 miles on the new GR2s with Eibach springs, the front became floaty, but they were new!!

OTOH, on the other times I've replaced SHO struts with something new/newer, it has always felt more tied-down. These have also entailed different springs in every one of those cases, so that may also be a part of it.

So the fact that it is easy to push down and rebounds with about a 1/2" overshoot, means these are probably good to get by with for a while?

with stock springs, good rear struts will rebound, overshoot about 1/2" inch and then return to rest. anything that moves more than back up and down a little to rest suggests that the struts are worn.

 

[RonPorter]

with stock springs, good rear struts will rebound, overshoot about 1/2" inch and then return to rest. anything that moves more than back up and down a little to rest suggests that the struts are worn.

IMO, the bigger problem on older SHOs seems to be sagging rear springs. Same problem, though, it's time to replace.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Which is why you go to Moog CC's

 

[RonPorter]

EH, SHO Source has the B&Gs. Work fine on my white '89 with new Tokicos.

 

[SHOPLUS]

I just put intrax in my car -1 coil in the front with sensatracs....the front end is way too bouncy with these and causes some wince-inducing rubbing. Luckily I still have a set of front konis in decent shape.

to answer the OP's Q if the car drives without too much float and it doesnt bounce more than once when you push on the car they should be fine

 

[RonPorter]

Unlesss you have Tokicos (RIP for SHOS) or Konis (almost RIP), nothing else will handle aftermarket springs.

Gotta break open the piggy bank for coilovers........

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Sensatrac's and Moog CC's do great. One cut coil up front (moog), off the shelf in the rear (moog). Better than stock, and last long. Ive got more than 80k on this setup right now without any signs of spring sag or struts wearing out.

 

[shobote]

You can get a set of 4 new sensatracks for about $125 on amazon.com from autobarn. With all the labor involved (rear are a PITA) to install struts why bother with ones that are 17-23 years old when new ones are cheap.

 

[boat]

Yes, but that is just the struts. Then you have to buy springs, all the mounts, and spring seats and other hardware. When compared to buying four new quickstruts, the savings really isn't there. I have run the numbers and know this to be true.

The strut/spring combo in question, I am of the understanding that these don't have that many miles on them. This is from like 3rd person information. So, I really won't know until I get them on the car. Plus, they are being given to me by a very well trusted friend, free of charge.

I am on a cheap budget here. If I have to buy the quickstruts I will, but I am going to try these that are free, first.

You can get a set of 4 new sensatracks for about $125 on amazon.com from autobarn. With all the labor involved (rear are a PITA) to install struts why bother with ones that are 17-23 years old when new ones are cheap.

 

[RonPorter]

I have a set of rear Quikstruts off my '89 with about 20K on them, plus the original front springs/struts off my white '89 sitting in the garage. For pick-up or delivery, a case of beer and anyone can have them!!

 

[RonPorter]

I wasn't all that happy with the Quikstruts, the the car had a broken rear spring when I got it, so they fit the bill at the time. They are basically a SLO setup. Better than nothing, but I wouldn't recommend them, unless someone really doesn't care about their handling.

EDIT: Gee, my 2,500th post!!

 

[JRA2000TL]

If you didn't live so far, I'd pick them up for a case of beer...but that's just about 2 days and $260 in gas driving my wife's car, lol.

 

[thered91]

Could always do it my way, I picked up a complete set of already cut eibachs/monroes from the j/y....150 bucks otd....

 

[boat]

PM'd you.

I have a set of rear Quikstruts off my '89 with about 20K on them, plus the original front springs/struts off my white '89 sitting in the garage. For pick-up or delivery, a case of beer and anyone can have them!!

 

[jelloslug]

I second that Quickstruts are no good for performance.