What are Struts and Top Mounts?
The vertical leg that holds your front wheel up, plus the bearing it pivots on under the bonnet.
Simplified animation — not to scale.
In plain English
A strut is a structural suspension leg that combines a shock absorber and a coil spring into one unit. The top mount is the rubber-and-bearing assembly that bolts the top of the strut to the car body and lets it rotate when you steer.
"Like a desk chair's gas cylinder — fine until the bearing at the top wears, then every twist creaks and clunks."
How it works
The strut takes vertical load and damps the up-and-down motion of the wheel. The top mount isolates that movement from the cabin and contains a bearing so the whole strut can turn as the wheels steer. When the bearing or rubber fails, you hear creaking or clonking through the steering.
Signs of trouble
- ⚠Knocking from the top of the strut on bumps or when turning
- ⚠Creaking or graunching as you steer
- ⚠Steering feeling notchy or stiff at low speed
- ⚠Steering wheel not centring after a turn
- ⚠Visible fluid leaks down the strut body
£200 – £600 per side fitted
Always get a written quote. Prices vary by car, region, and parts brand.