1996 Dodge Neon Struts

SKIPTIMUSPRIME

MEMBER
1996 DODGE NEON

Suspension problem
1996 Dodge Neon 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

This is my mom's car. She got a diagnosis and I want to check on it to see if she's being taken for a walk on this one.
Problem: Her car's rear passenger-side shock will not depress so her car bumps around constantly (just vertically) It happened after a simple wheel rotation at her mechanic's place. (Fishy to me)

Her mechanic says that she needs new strut. I don't know about that because I thought that in fwd cars the struts were in the front wheel assembly. I went around her car just to simply push on each corner and that's how I found out which side wouldn't depress (at all really)
I think that they tightened her rear passenger shock so that she'd come back in and pay more money for a simple fix. (Btw she did go back to them for this diagnosis) any help would be great!

2 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

If you had a bad or leaky strut and or shock
and when put on the lift it will over extend in which it may cause the symptom you descried
and shocks or strut may be best if replaced
if not sure and do not trust them should take it to another local shop for test and opinion
good luck

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Monday, May 4th, 2009 AT 6:29 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,742 POSTS

This has happened to me many times, especially on the older K-cars from the early 1980s. While on the hoist, the struts do indeed extend fully and can get stuck there. Good struts don't do that; worn one can. Usually it will release and work normally if you drive it but it rarely takes more than driving through the parking lot for it to release.

Yes, there are struts on all four corners on most cars since the mid 1990s. The strut suspension system is much lighter than the old solid axles but not nearly as strong.

Caradiodoc

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Sunday, May 10th, 2009 AT 3:16 AM