Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-12-22 Origin: Site
Your car's suspension system is a complex network of parts working together to provide a smooth ride. While most drivers know about shock absorbers and springs, few pay attention to the humble strut mount. Yet, without this crucial component, your vehicle would be noisy, difficult to steer, and uncomfortable to drive.
In this guide from Kaiping Huilong Auto Parts Factory, we will break down everything you need to know about this vital part. We will explore the function of the strut mount, the importance of the torque strut mount, and how the strut and strut mount work together to keep you safe on the road.
A strut mount is a component that attaches the suspension strut to the vehicle's chassis. It acts as a bridge between the suspension and the body of the car. Typically found at the top of the suspension strut tower, the strut mount is usually made of a rubber-like insulating material bonded to metal.
If you look under the hood of your car, you might see the top of the strut mount protruding through the fender well. It looks simple, but it performs a heavy-duty job. Every time you hit a bump, the energy travels up the strut. The strut mount is the final barrier that absorbs this energy before it reaches the cabin.
Without a functioning strut mount, the metal strut would bang directly against the metal chassis. This would cause unbearable noise and vibration. Therefore, the primary definition of a strut mount is a suspension component designed to cushion impacts and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
The purpose of a strut mount goes beyond just connecting parts. It serves two main functions: insulation and steering support.
The rubber material inside the strut mount acts as a cushion. As you drive over rough roads, the suspension moves up and down. The strut and strut mount absorb these shocks. This prevents the vibration from traveling into the steering wheel and the dashboard. A worn strut mount often leads to clunking noises because the rubber insulation has deteriorated.
The strut mount supports the weight of the vehicle. Since the strut assembly holds up the car, the mount at the top bears a significant load. It must be strong enough to handle the vehicle's weight while flexible enough to absorb shocks.
For front struts, the mount often contains a bearing. This bearing allows the strut to turn with the wheels. When you turn the steering wheel, the entire strut and strut mount assembly pivots. If this bearing seizes or wears out, steering becomes stiff or noisy.
This brings us to a critical function: providing a steering pivot. And what it does is provides a steering pivot. Now that's critical because as that bearing wears, you can get some poor steering response or it could even affect the front end alignment.
Inside many front strut mounts, there is a bearing plate. This bearing allows the coil spring and strut to rotate independently of the car body. When you turn a corner, the wheels need to pivot. Since the strut is attached to the wheel hub, it must pivot too.
Steering Memory Loss: The steering wheel may not return to the center after a turn.Noise: You might hear a creaking or grinding sound when turning the wheel.Stiff Steering: The resistance increases, making it harder to maneuver the vehicle.
Maintaining the strut and strut mount bearing is essential for precise handling. A seized bearing puts extra stress on the power steering system and the rest of the suspension.
While the standard strut mount handles vertical suspension movement, the torque strut mount handles rotational forces. Engines produce a massive amount of torque, especially during acceleration. This force tries to twist the engine in the engine bay.
A torque strut mount (often called a dog bone mount due to its shape) connects the engine or transmission to the vehicle frame. Its job is to restrict this twisting motion.
If a torque strut mount fails, you will feel excessive engine movement. This often manifests as:
Thumping Noises: The engine physically hitting the frame during acceleration.
Vibration: Excessive shaking at idle.
Exhaust Damage: Excessive engine movement can crack exhaust pipes.
Replacing a torque strut mount is often easier than replacing a suspension strut mount, but both are critical for vehicle stability.
It is impossible to talk about suspension without discussing the relationship between the strut and strut mount. They are a unified system. You generally shouldn't replace a strut without also replacing the strut mount.
When a strut wears out, the strut mount has likely endured the same amount of abuse. The rubber has been compressed millions of times. The bearing has rotated through thousands of turns.
If you install a new strut but keep the old strut mount, you compromise the repair. The old rubber won't cushion the new stiff strut effectively. The old bearing might seize, damaging the new strut shaft. Mechanics almost always recommend replacing the strut and strut mount as a pair to ensure longevity and performance.
Component | Function | Failure Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
Strut | Dampens spring oscillation | Bouncing, fluid leaks, poor braking |
Strut Mount | Connects strut to body, insulates noise | Clunking noise, vibration, stiff steering |
Torque Strut Mount | Limits engine rotation | Engine thumping, idle vibration |
Detecting a bad strut mount or torque strut mount early can save you money on tires and other suspension parts. Here are the key indicators:
The most common sign of a bad strut mount is a clunking or rattling sound coming from the suspension, particularly when going over bumps. This sound indicates the rubber has worn away, and metal is hitting metal.
If the insulation in the torque strut mount or suspension strut mount is compromised, you will feel more road texture and engine vibration through the steering wheel and seat.
As mentioned earlier, if the bearing in the strut and strut mount assembly wears out, steering becomes binding or noisy. You might hear a "groan" when turning the wheel at low speeds.
A worn strut mount can allow the strut to shift position slightly. This alters the alignment angles (camber and caster). Consequently, your tires may wear unevenly or prematurely.
You can sometimes inspect the strut mount visually. Look for cracks in the rubber or corrosion on the metal plate. For a torque strut mount, look for torn rubber bushings.
When selecting a replacement, quality is paramount. A cheap strut mount may use inferior rubber that degrades quickly or bearings that aren't sealed properly.
At Kaiping Huilong Auto Parts Factory, we emphasize precision engineering. A high-quality strut mount should match OEM specifications. Whether you need a standard suspension mount or a heavy-duty torque strut mount, the materials matter.
The rubber used in a strut mount must be resistant to oil, heat, and ozone. It needs to maintain its elasticity in freezing temperatures and high heat.
The bearing inside the strut and strut mount assembly must be low-friction and durable. Sealed bearings are preferred as they prevent dirt and water from entering the race.
Replacing a strut mount usually requires compressing the coil spring. This can be dangerous without the right tools.
Safety First: Always use a high-quality spring compressor.
Mark Alignment: Before removing the strut and strut mount, mark the position of the bolts to help with re-alignment.
Inspect Everything: While the strut is out, check the torque strut mount and other bushings.
Torque to Spec: Tighten the top nut on the strut mount to the manufacturer's specified torque. Over-tightening can damage the bearing.
Many car owners hesitate to replace the strut mount because of the added cost during a strut replacement. However, the labor involved in accessing the strut and strut mount is significant. It involves removing the wheel, detaching the sway bar links, and removing the entire strut assembly.
If you pay for this labor to replace the strut but skip the strut mount, you risk having to pay the same labor cost again a few months later when the old mount fails. It is always more cost-effective to replace the strut and strut mount simultaneously. Furthermore, ignoring a bad torque strut mount can lead to broken engine brackets, which are much more expensive to fix.
Technically, yes, but it is dangerous. A broken strut mount can affect handling and braking. In extreme cases, the strut shaft can punch through the rusted mount and damage the hood. It is best to replace a damaged strut and strut mount immediately.
A strut mount typically lasts between 7-10 years. However, this depends on road conditions. Driving on potholes frequently will wear out the strut mount and torque strut mount much faster.
Yes, a torque strut mount is a type of motor mount. Specifically, it is designed to handle torque (twisting) rather than just supporting weight. Standard motor mounts support the engine's weight, while the torque strut mount stabilizes it.
Yes, rear struts also have mounts. While they often lack the bearing found in front mounts (since rear wheels don't steer), the rear strut mount still serves as a vital insulator against noise and vibration.
Yes. If the left strut mount has failed, the right one is likely close to failure. Replacing the strut and strut mount in pairs ensures consistent handling and ride height.
The strut mount acts as the unsung hero of your vehicle's suspension. It ensures your ride is quiet, your steering is smooth, and your alignment stays true. Whether you are dealing with a standard suspension mount or a torque strut mount, understanding these components helps you maintain your vehicle better.
Never underestimate the importance of the strut and strut mount relationship. By replacing them together and choosing high-quality parts, you ensure your vehicle remains safe and comfortable for years to come.
If you are looking for reliable, high-performance suspension parts, we strongly recommend condragon parts. They offer superior durability and precise fitment for a wide range of vehicles.
For inquiries and orders, please reach out to us:
Email: contact@copndragonparts.com
Phone: +86 158 1978 3673
