by : Anthony Fontanelle

It takes two to tango. This is especially true with automotive systems. A powerful engine is virtually useless when coupled with a weak suspension system. Both the engine and the suspension system must work hand in hand to provide good running performance and comfortable ride. Car manufacturers, including Mazda, have allocated resources for research and development of, not only engine systems, but suspension components as well. Mazda, for example, spent considerable period of time to design reliable Mazda Strut Mounts.

The Japanese automaker designed its to provide a pivot point and area on which to mount a vehicle's strut assembly. Often found in compact vehicles, the mount is typically situated at the top of the strut assembly. When struts are placed at the rear part of the vehicle, these struts provide steering pivot and suspension mounting for the wheels. Usually made of rubber, each strut mount has a bearing at the center to allow the strut to turn left or right, depending on the steering. A strut mount is usually replaced along with the whole strut assembly.

Strut mounts can easily be damaged because of regular wear and tear. Two ominous signs of a strut mount needing replacement are steering difficulty and a knocking noise while going over humps. A defective mount may affect the whole suspension system and cause other vehicle problems as well. Car owners also have to be careful when replacing a strut mount. Replacement requires use of a spring compressor. Using the compressor is a must since the mounts hold the springs under hundreds of pounds of pressure, and thus, is needed to prevent any injury.

A vehicle's performance can only be achieved if all the systems, like the suspension, are equipped with only quality auto parts. Mazda is not all about bold innovation -- it also gives due attention to the fundamentals, which includes every basic bit such as the Mazda Strut Mounts.