Post by hermitjohn on Nov 2, 2015 23:47:41 GMT
I finally got the new rear strut for my Festiva (they only had one in stock). I had went out about week ago to go grocery shopping, started to back up and heard scraping dragging sound. Got out and discovered the rear right strut had literally snapped in two. I assume coming up my rough steep driveway as it would been lot more exciting if it did it out on freeway. I dont like exciting. Boring life is fine.
Suspect lot smaller cars are designed similarly. Would seem kind of a poor design since its not like a ball joint or tie rod end that can be inspected for wear. Yet if it goes, you get similar loss of control at higher speeds with tire digging hole into the fender well and probably blowing out.
I ordered a second one (same brand) from different place (which also only had one available), which has yet to arrive. Figure if strut on one side broke, possibly other one will go too. The front struts probably need to have new cartridges in them too, but that can wait until spring. They arent going snap in two like this rear one. At worst, I just lose shock absorber function. Though I had an 80s Cavalier where the retaining cap came off and cartridge came out of the front strut. That was exciting. Nobody would sell me just the threaded cap, wanted to sell me whole strut at high price, so I had to weld old one back on. I was worried about the heat affecting the cartridge, but I got away with it by welding a little, cooling it, welding a little more, cooling it..... Lasted as long as the car did.
Suspect lot smaller cars are designed similarly. Would seem kind of a poor design since its not like a ball joint or tie rod end that can be inspected for wear. Yet if it goes, you get similar loss of control at higher speeds with tire digging hole into the fender well and probably blowing out.
I ordered a second one (same brand) from different place (which also only had one available), which has yet to arrive. Figure if strut on one side broke, possibly other one will go too. The front struts probably need to have new cartridges in them too, but that can wait until spring. They arent going snap in two like this rear one. At worst, I just lose shock absorber function. Though I had an 80s Cavalier where the retaining cap came off and cartridge came out of the front strut. That was exciting. Nobody would sell me just the threaded cap, wanted to sell me whole strut at high price, so I had to weld old one back on. I was worried about the heat affecting the cartridge, but I got away with it by welding a little, cooling it, welding a little more, cooling it..... Lasted as long as the car did.