🚀 go-pugleaf

> How can one tell if front MacPherson strut cartridges are significantly
> worn out and in need of replacement?  ...

> -Mark Bernstein (UT Austin, Speech)

     I have two roommates with MacP struts in their cars. One is a Rabbit
and one is a Dodge Omni, rabbit clone style. The Rabbit owner was wondering
the same thing, as she has had the car for 80,000 (or close) miles and
the car wasnt wallowing or having any of the other classic signs of shock/
strut wear. She had them checked because she was having a shimmy problem
in the front end, and it turned out that there are 2 ways the struts can 
go bad: one by getting progressively mushier and softer, which is the classic
way that everyone knows, and one by getting progressively *harder*. The 
Rabbit had always had a rougher ride than other cars, so she didnt really 
notice the increase in jolt and noise, especially noticeable when going
over a set of railroad tracks near the house. she had them replaced, and 
she no longer has a "front end problem", and the car has gotten much 
quieter and nicer especially over those tracks.

     Tho Omni, on the other hand, is starting to feel like a car 3 times
its size. It has a nice harmonic bounce with the sectioning of the local
roads, and is probably going to get them changed soon. Unfortunately, we
cant be sure how many miles this car has, nor how many times the struts 
have been changed, since we bought it used. The mileage is most likely 125K+.

hope this provides some useful info
/amqueue