# Are my new struts bad?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-my-new-struts-bad/28048>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 21, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-my-new-struts-bad/28048 "2009-03-21T02:10:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rschwesig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@rschwesig](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rschwesig)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-my-new-struts-bad/28048/1 "2009-03-21T02:10:33Z")

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I just had new struts installed (front and rear) in our 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. Got it back from the shop today, and I can still hear the rusty bedspring squeak when I go over bumps, although its not as quite loud as before. Anyone know what would cause this? Did I get bad struts? Or maybe I didn’t need struts in the first place and the bounciness/ squeaky noise was due to something else? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-my-new-struts-bad/28048/2 "2009-03-21T02:26:20Z")

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Well I hope that the struts weren’t all replaced only on the basis of a squeaky sound.

I’m sure that the sound never came from the struts. Check all suspension system bushings, including sway bar bushings. I’m sure you’ll find the squeak there somewhere.

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**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-my-new-struts-bad/28048/3 "2009-03-21T03:02:43Z")

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The springs are part of the strut assembly. Clamps hold the spring in place. The bottom clamp is a fixed part of the strut, the top clamp is bolted on. Between each clamp and the spring is a plastic cup that follows the contour of the clamp. Chances are that this plastic cup has worn through or is missing and that is causing the squeeks.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 4:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-my-new-struts-bad/28048/4 "2009-03-21T04:37:34Z")

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Bounciness is weak shocks and struts.

A squeak in the suspension can be anyone of a number of things. The usual cause is dry, aged sway bar bushings. These can usually be lubricated pretty easily; and NOT with WD-40. Silicone based grease of some sort is the best method.

Other things that can cause a squeak or creak can be control arm pivot bolts, dry ball joint or tie rod end, (front end) or trailing arm bushings, etc. (rear).

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**Author:** ![rschwesig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@rschwesig](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rschwesig)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/are-my-new-struts-bad/28048/5 "2009-03-22T18:27:08Z")

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Thanks for the responses, I’ll take it back in and have them check some of these other items.