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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 980
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 980 |
Heard a commercial today that said that replacing your stuts will improve your stopping distance. I was just wondering if there was any truth to this or if it's just a "come give us your money" gimmick. The only reason I know of to replace stuts is if they are worn out and the same with the brakes.  Somebody shed some light on this...
2000 Mystique LS
Duratec 2.5L MTX
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,399
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Mar 2002
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I would say that, if the new struts help keep the tire planted on the road, then they will help braking. They can also help with weight transfer, which will make a difference. A small one, but a difference nonetheless.
I think that those commercials are probably trying to sell new shocks/struts to thew folks that just don't care, and dont get these types of things replaced.
98 Silver Frost SVT
97 BMW 540I Sport, six speed
"Blue is for sky, black is for soil, and white is for simplicity, purity and hope for the future"
"A coveted car should never stunt your life, but should make it more rich and interesting."
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,140
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2003
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Worn-out struts will hurt stopping because of lack of traction. But they've got to be completely blown before it's very significant. File this one under "technically true, but negligible". The ride will be junk before you're in danger due to lack of braking.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2000
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Well, I don't know about stopping distance, specifically, or about the effect of struts alone, but I will say that I thought my old tires were completely toast until I replaced my struts and springs. I used to activate the TC all the time on takeoff, but that stopped. I used to get push in corners all the time but that stopped, too. My improvement in traction was significant and noticeable on the street. I can only assume that that would have meant better braking, as well.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,045
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
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Originally posted by Auto-X Fil:
Worn-out struts will hurt stopping because of lack of traction. But they've got to be completely blown before it's very significant. File this one under "technically true, but negligible". The ride will be junk before you're in danger due to lack of braking.
yup, i can vouch for this.
00 black/tan svt, #2052 of 2150, born 2/1/00
formerly known as my csvt
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
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