Quote:
Originally Posted by ZetaTre
A strut is made from 2 components the spring that is the suspension mechanism (i.e. it supports the car) and the shock absorber.
I would assume that the sloppy technician meant the shock absorber has degraded.
Could you post a picture of your tires?
The shock absorber is normally not considered a part of the suspension and as such does not affect the STATIC alignment you get from an alignment rig. At least that's what I've always knew, but that may not apply to the geometry of the X5. In other words, it's tough to diagnose a bad shock from an alignment...
Have you inspected the various bushings and ball joints in the suspension?
For example I've recently replaced the bushing #6 in this diagram: it is filled with an hydraulic fluid so it's pretty easy to spot when it's damaged. Another person had them replaced and they are fairly common failure point:
Incidentally the suspension arm #5 is called "tension strut"... Perhaps the tech was not sloppy, but used the correct term and you mis-interpreted struts |
Mine looks exactly like this one.
I also replaced the same bushing you did and it helped a little.
He explained that the strut might be bad because as the car is in motion the tire might be bouncing up and down getting that "weave" pattern. But I also read that this pattern is also "scalloping" caused by under inflation due to heat.
