Shocks and Struts for Toyota Matrix
Shocks and struts are two critical components of the suspension of your Toyota Matrix, and having high-quality parts is critical for multiple aspects of your driving experience, including proper handling, effectiveness of the brakes, and ride smoothness. Shocks and struts come in different styles, and each varies in effectiveness depending on the shocks and struts you desire and your driving style. Shocks and struts must be replaced every few years, and selecting the proper replacement parts is important for your vehicles performance and safety.
How do shocks and struts work?Shocks and struts, while often used interchangeably, are not identical in functionality, as shocks help to control the movement of the spring and suspension, while struts offer structural support to the suspension and movement absorption. When the suspension shifts, the shocks and struts force hydraulic fluid into the valves. This counteracts the movement of the piston, keeping the car more stable and providing a smoother ride.
What are the components of a strut?Struts are made of multiple components, including a coil spring, strut housing, and a damping unit. The spring helps to support weight, the housing provides rigid support for the assembly, and the damping unit helps to control the movement of the spring and suspension.
How you do install new shocks and struts?Over time, shocks and struts wear down and need to be replaced. There are many signs that you may need to replace your shocks and struts, including if your vehicle sways when changing lanes, if it rocks forward and backward when you stop, if the steering response is poor, or if you have instability when braking.
- First, get your new shocks and struts and determine if you need a spring compressor. Some parts require this tool to safely remove the springs to prevent them from causing damage.
- Lift up one side of the car using a jack and remove the tires and the old shocks and struts. These parts are often held in place by a few bolts.
- After removing the old shocks and struts, install the new ones. Be sure to tighten the bolts to the appropriate levels based on your specific vehicle. A torque wrench can also be used to ensure the proper tightness is attained.
- Replace the tires onto the vehicle, then lower the car and carry out the same steps on the other side of the car.
- Be sure to test drive your vehicle to ensure that the new shocks and struts are functioning effectively, the ride is smooth, and that the brakes and handling feel correct.
What features are important when purchasing shocks and struts?
- Weather conditions: The type of shocks and struts that your Toyota requires depends on the conditions you often drive in. If you are often exposed to muddy, snowy, or rocky roads, high pressure products may be ideal to deal with the rougher ride conditions, while low pressure shocks and struts are sufficient for smoother driving.
- Mounts: Shocks and struts come in two different mount styles: stock or custom. Stock mounts are used for vehicles with the original suspension installed, whereas custom mounts are often used for cars that have been built from scratch.