Understanding the Causes of Volvo Front Strut Failure: A Comprehensive Guide
Has your riding gotten rougher lately?
One reason why this is happening is front strut failure. Don’t know much about struts? Well, don’t worry… this blog post covers everything there is to know about struts. Plus, as you read through you will find out some of the prominent reasons and signs of front strut failure in Volvo cars. Therefore, we kindly request you to read this blog post completely instead of searching on the internet about struts.
Strut: An Overview
Being an important part of the suspension system; the strut not only provides structural support to the vehicle but also absorbs impacts from road imperfections. Additionally, by holding the tire in proper alignment, the strut allows the wheel to rotate smoothly in response to driver inputs. In short, the strut is an integral and important part of your Volvo's suspension system. Two main components that make up the strut assembly are; a spring and a shock absorber.
If for any reason your Volvo's front struts begin to malfunction, there will be consequences. Your suspension system will not be able to deal with road imperfections as easily as it used to. As a result, your ride will be rough… and, you will have difficulty steering your vehicle. So, what are the factors that may contribute to front strut failure in Volvo and what can you do about it? Let's find out…
Common Causes of Front Strut Failure in Volvo
From hitting the curbs while taking turns to rusting; many different things can contribute to strut failure in a vehicle. The list below covers some of the prominent reasons behind strut failure in Volvo cars. Please, take a look;
Reason #1- Old age
Nothing lasts forever; not even a part made from the strongest metal known to mankind. Everything that has an origin… has an end; be it the strut or something else. Being a part of the suspension system, the strut has to deal with impacts from road imperfections, support the vehicle load, etc. Normal wear and tear caused by daily use can cause a Volvo front strut to fail.
Reason #2- Hitting a pothole at high speed
Yes, if you hit a pothole while driving at high speed, the front strut of your vehicle may suffer serious damage. Not only the struts will be affected, but other parts of the suspension system like the shock absorber and ball joints will also get damaged. So it is important that you work on your driving habits and be careful while driving on potholes, bumps, and other road imperfections.
Reason #3- Corrosion
The location of the strut makes it susceptible to being affected by road salt, dust, mud, and other corrosion-triggering elements. Corrosion poses a threat to the structural integrity of metal parts. Therefore, if you want your Volvo's front struts to have a long lifespan, you should wash them regularly; especially during the summer months.
Noticeable Signs of Front Strut Failure in Volvo
It is not safe to drive with faulty front struts… You simply won’t be able to get control over your vehicle if there is something wrong with its strut. After all, they have a role in supporting the weight of the vehicle. To help you diagnose a strut-related problem in your Volvo, we are sharing a few signs below. Please, take a look;
- Odd sound. If there is something wrong with the front strut of your Volvo, the first thing you will notice is an unusual and scary noise emerging from under the vehicle. The noise will become more obvious when you drive on a road with an irregular surface structure.
- Floating front section. Another telltale sign of front strut failure in a vehicle is that you will feel as if the front of your Volvo is hovering. And, yes… You will find that your vehicle is drifting a lot lately; especially when taking corners.
- Uneven tread wear. You should check your vehicle’s tread wear pattern routinely. If the pattern seems extremely irregular, you should have the front struts tested.
To Be Brief…
Strut is an important part of a vehicle's suspension assembly. From supporting the weight of the vehicle to absorbing impacts from road imperfections; the strut plays a crucial role in the overall functionality of a vehicle. Therefore, you should give your Volvo's front struts the attention they deserve.