When maintaining a vehicle, one of the critical aspects to consider is the quality of your struts. Struts play a pivotal role in ensuring your car’s stability, handling, and overall ride comfort. Unfortunately, not all strut brands live up to their promises, often leading to additional costs and potential safety hazards.
In this article, we will delve into several strut brands that have proven to be substandard in terms of durability, performance, and customer satisfaction. This comprehensive guide aims to help you make an informed decision when investing in new struts, steering clear of brands that could potentially let you down.
The Strut Brands to Steer Clear Of
Based on extensive research and customer feedback, the following table provides a summary of strut brands that have consistently underperformed. These brands have been associated with numerous issues that can negatively impact your vehicle’s performance and safety.
| Strut Brands | Issues & Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Sachs Struts | Poor durability, noise issues |
| BAVAUTO Replacement Parts | Low-quality materials, fitment issues |
| ACDELCO Struts or Car Parts | Inconsistent performance, premature wear |
| MOOG Struts for Cars | High failure rate, poor customer support |
| KYB Struts | Hard ride quality, installation difficulties |
| Sensen Shocks & Struts | Lack of longevity, inconsistent damping |
| Cciyu Struts | Poor build quality, lack of durability |
1) Sachs Struts
One of the brands to avoid when purchasing struts is Sachs. Although they have a reputation for producing a wide range of automotive parts, their struts have proven to be less reliable. A common complaint among users is the lack of durability.
Sachs struts are known to wear out faster than other brands, leading to frequent replacements that can be costly in the long run. This raises questions about the quality of materials used in their production. Another issue reported by users is noise.
Over time, these struts can produce an unsettling noise, negatively impacting the overall ride comfort. These factors combined make Sachs Struts a less desirable choice for your vehicle’s suspension system.
2) BAVAUTO Replacement Parts
BAVAUTO is another brand that raises concerns when it comes to their replacement parts, particularly their struts. First off, the materials used in their construction are often of lower quality.
This compromises the longevity and performance of these parts, leading to more frequent replacements. Secondly, these parts frequently suffer from fitment issues. A strut that doesn’t fit properly can lead to alignment problems, reducing your vehicle’s performance and potentially causing other damage.
Therefore, while BAVAUTO might offer more affordable options, the potential costs in terms of replacements and repairs could outweigh the initial savings.
3) ACDELCO Struts or Car Parts
ACDELCO is a well-known brand in the automotive parts industry, but their struts have been the subject of criticism. Initially, these struts may perform well, but they often show signs of deterioration much sooner than other brands. This inconsistency in performance can lead to unpredictable handling of your vehicle. Additionally, ACDELCO struts are notorious for wearing out prematurely.
This poses not only a financial burden due to frequent replacements but also a safety risk as worn-out struts can affect your vehicle’s braking and handling capabilities.
4) MOOG Struts for Cars
MOOG is another brand that, despite being well-known, has some drawbacks when it comes to their struts. A high failure rate is one of the main issues associated with MOOG struts. Users have reported failures shortly after installation, questioning the reliability of these parts.
Furthermore, dealing with these issues can be challenging due to subpar customer support. The lack of prompt and helpful assistance when facing problems adds to the overall dissatisfaction with this brand.
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5) KYB Struts
KYB struts, while popular, have their own set of problems. They are known to result in a hard ride due to their stiffness. This can make driving uncomfortable, especially over longer distances or rough surfaces. On top of that, the installation process of KYB struts can be quite tedious. Users have reported difficulties during installation, which adds to the inconvenience. Considering these factors, KYB might not be the best choice for your vehicle’s suspension system.
6) Sensen Shocks & Struts
Sensen Shocks & Struts, while affordable, do not offer the best value for money. Their main drawback is their lack of longevity. Compared to other brands, these struts do not last as long, necessitating frequent replacements.
Another issue is inconsistent damping. Sensen shocks and struts can lead to uneven ride quality due to irregular damping. This can make driving less enjoyable and more tiring, especially on long journeys or rough roads.
7) Cciyu Struts
Lastly, Cciyu struts have been criticized for their poor build quality. They are not designed to withstand long-term use and start showing signs of wear and tear sooner than other brands. Apart from the financial implications of frequent replacements, this also poses a safety risk as worn-out struts can compromise your vehicle’s handling and braking.
Moreover, these struts don’t hold up well over time, further questioning their durability and reliability.
In conclusion, while each of these brands may have their own set of unique features and benefits, their drawbacks in terms of quality, durability, and performance make them less desirable choices when it comes to struts.
Understanding the Pitfalls: Common Problems Associated with Economical Struts
Cheap struts may seem like a good deal initially, but they often come with several issues that can affect your vehicle’s performance and safety. Here are some common issues associated with cheap struts:
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Premature Wear: Cheap struts typically don’t last as long as higher-quality alternatives. They may show signs of wear and tear much sooner, leading to frequent replacements. This not only disrupts your driving but also ends up being costly in the long run.
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Poor Ride Quality: One of the most noticeable effects of cheap struts is a decrease in ride quality. Your vehicle may start to bounce excessively or feel unstable, particularly when driving over bumps or around corners.
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Increased Noise: Cheap struts can produce more noise, which can be particularly noticeable during sharp turns or when driving over rough surfaces. This can lead to an uncomfortable and noisy driving experience.
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Reduced Handling and Safety: Struts play a crucial role in ensuring your vehicle handles correctly. Cheap struts can negatively impact your car’s handling, making it harder to steer and potentially increasing the risk of accidents.
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Uneven Tire Wear: Poor-quality struts can lead to uneven tire wear, as they may not distribute weight and pressure evenly across the tires. This not only shortens your tires’ lifespan but also can affect your vehicle’s performance and safety.
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Damage to Other Components: When struts fail, they can put additional stress on other parts of your suspension system, such as the shock absorbers, springs, and mounting hardware. This can cause these components to wear out faster or even fail.
In conclusion, while cheap struts might be tempting due to their lower upfront cost, the potential problems they can cause make them a less appealing choice in the long term. Always consider the quality, durability, and performance of the struts before making a purchase.
How Long Do Cheap Struts Last?
Cheap struts usually last between 20,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on the driving conditions and maintenance. However, considering the potential issues and additional costs associated with premature replacements, investing in higher-quality struts may be a more economical choice in the long run.
Which Brands are Better?
Brands like Bilstein, Monroe, and Rancho are known for their high-quality struts. They offer superior performance, durability, and customer support compared to the brands mentioned above.
Are Aftermarket Struts Any Good?
Aftermarket struts can be a good option if you choose a reputable brand. They can offer similar or even superior performance to OEM parts at a lower cost. However, it’s crucial to do proper research before making a purchase to avoid inferior brands.
Pro Tip:
When replacing struts, always replace them in pairs. This ensures balanced handling and reduces the risk of uneven tire wear.
Conclusion
Choosing the right struts for your vehicle is crucial for maintaining optimal ride quality and handling. While there are numerous brands available in the market, it’s important to avoid the ones that could potentially harm your vehicle and wallet. Remember, investing in high-quality struts from reputable brands can save you from unnecessary troubles and expenses in the future.
