Strut Bench Test
- Struts should fully extend when not installed in vehicle. If strut will not fully extend, replace strut.
- Place strut in upright position. Fully compress strut and allow strut to fully extend 3 times to purge pressure chamber of any trapped gas.
- Place strut in a soft-jawed vise in an upright position. Compress strut by hand as fast as possible with as much travel as possible. Strut action should be smooth and uniform on each stroke. Higher resistance on extension than on compression is normal.
- Replace strut if any of following conditions exist:
- A lag or skip on return travel, near mid-stroke, when strut is purged and in installed position.
- Strut is seized.
- Clicking noise is heard on fast return travel.
- Excessive fluid leakage.
- Any side-to-side motion with strut extended.