Damaged strut, can I drive locally with this damage for another week?

BAKER317

MEMBER
2004 FORD EXPLORER
V8
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

Please see picture attached. I will be replacing rear struts. Questions. Can I drive locally with this damage for another week. Also when I drive, I have noticed when I use brakes to turn corner or go around a curve the steering wheel seems to "freeze: for a second then gets loose. Could this cause that or would it be another issue such as brakes. The steering fluid is black but the guy at shop said that's normal for this type of vehicle when I requested a steering fluid flush. When I drive and let go of steering wheel the car doesn't pull to one side. It goes pretty straight. I originally took to shop due to steering issue. Please advise if picture did not attach.

Saturday, October 5th, 2024 AT 4:40 PM

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,055 POSTS

Hi,

For some reason, the picture didn't attach. As far as the turning, it could be and most likely is caused by the strut assembly. If you send the picture, I should be able to tell.

Let me know,

Joe

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Saturday, October 5th, 2024 AT 8:33 PM

BAKER317

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi, thank you for your quick response. Please see attached. And how bad/dangerous would it be to drive like this for about a week in town. Top speed 40 -45 MPH.

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Sunday, October 6th, 2024 AT 3:27 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
50,321 POSTS

No, I would not drive the car, this is a broken suspension spring and can be dangerous. Here is a new strut for $142.00:

https://amzn.to/3NdB7Po

Here is how it is installed. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to make bigger)