Don’t Forget the Strut Mount

Upgrade struts often stiffen a vehicle’s suspension, either as a tuning aid, or because the old units were extensively worn, but in either case, motorists may notice higher noise levels. One source of noise that needs to be addressed during installation rests between the strut and tower, according to ArvinMeritor (Gabriel) marketing communications manager David Giroux: “The upper strut mount is very important. It is the (noise and vibration) isolator between the strut and body. It’s very important to check for damage, tears in the rubber, wear spots or deterioration. Failure to do so can lead to noise from the strut area.” It’s not expensive, and you’re there, so mention the mount when estimating the service, and be sure to advise the customer about the noise issue.