Rusted Strut Mounts

I'm working on my Mom's Escort this afternoon. Actually, it belongs to both of my parents, but I still call it my Mom's, just like I refer to their house as "Mom's". Oh, well. I replaced the right rear strut mount last week after the shock broke through from being rusted out. Since I'm leaving town, I figured I should take care of the other side since I suspected it was suffering from the same degree of rot that the first one had. A strut is really just a combination of a big spring and a regular old shock absorber. They used to be two separate components on cars until some smart guy figured out that you could put the shock absorber inside the spring and save space and improve the handling of the automobile in the process. So the very top of the strut rusted through and broke, leaving the shock unattached to the car at the top and making a hellatious (sp?) rattle when I wend over bumps. That top part of the strut is called the strut mount since it's where the strut actually mounts to the frame of the car. The bottom of the strut attaches to the wheel assembly thus making for a wheel that bounces gently over the uneven surface of the road.

I love working on cars and fixing things. I get a great sense of satisfaction out of taking something apart that's broken and making it new again. When I pulled out the first strut and replaced the broken mount last week, it was such a neat feeling to get in the car, after it was all put back together, and drive down the road, no noise, just a properly working car instead of the rattling jalopy that I'd just been driving only a short time prior. It's a nice feeling. Mostly what one needs to do such a repair is a few good tools, possibly a repair manual to give you an idea about what you're getting yourself in for, and an adequate supply of intestinal fortitude to consider it even possible to attempt such an undertaking without the appropriate amount of prior automotive repair experience. I didn't have the manual, but I borrowed the tools from my oldest son, who lives only a couple of miles from my folks house, and I seem to have the guts. I guess I've done enough repair stuff to know that I can somehow pull it off, and really, it's not all that difficult, mostly it just takes time and lots of patience. Normally, I never thought of myself as a patient person, but I may have just disproved that belief.

Anyway, I'm changing the oil now. I'll try not to make a mess.

Cheers!

~B