When was the last time you thought about the gas struts in your vehicle? For most drivers, the answer to this is likely never. However, did you know they play an extremely important role, not just in the operation of the vehicle, but it’s value too?
Here, you’ll discover why struts are so important and how to tell when it’s time to have them repaired or replaced.
What are gas struts and why are they important?
Gas struts have been used within the auto industry for decades. They’re commonly fitted to the tailgate, bonnet and boot lid of a vehicle. Gas is compressed into a cylinder, which is then compressed by a piston to generate force. It’s basically the part that enables you to lift the boot or the bonnet easily without applying much force yourself.
Over time, the gas struts can start to lose pressure. This means they’ll start to work less efficiently. They can sometimes be re-gassed, but you will need to get this done by a professional, rather than trying to do it yourself.
So, why are they important to a car’s value? Well, like any part which isn’t functioning correctly, a damaged or inefficient strut can take a lot off its value. Opening the boot or the bonnet is important so if the gas struts have failed and they haven’t been replaced, it would be pretty tough to get into the bonnet or boot.
Do your struts need replacing or repairing?
While gas struts do have a fairly robust design which ensures they usually last for many years, like all parts, they don’t last forever. If you want your vehicle to retain its value, replacing or repairing the struts as and when it is needed, is important.
A mechanic will be able to tell you whether the struts need to be changed and also how to correctly dispose of used or faulty struts. The good news is, gas struts aren’t expensive to replace. You can buy them at a competitive price from reliable sellers such as SGS, you just need to be sure to have them fitted by a professional. If handled incorrectly they could be potentially dangerous.
Overall, gas struts are an important component of any vehicle. Like all parts, it’s important to ensure they’re well-maintained and they are replaced or re-gassed whenever needed. Taking care of the gas struts will ensure your vehicle retains some of its value and you don’t have problems when it comes time to sell.
Photo credits: sawinery.net
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