YACT: How do I know when I need to replace struts?

[Electric Amish]

94 Ford Probe GT.

Never had struts replaced.

TIA

 

[Quixfire]

Visible signs of fluid leaking from the struts or shocks or the rebound check are both good indicators of a bad part. Springs need to be checked on a level surface and at each corner of the vehicle. Most vehicles should have no more than 1/4" difference in ride height.

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[iamwiz82]

if they aren't leaking chances are that they are good. However, you can always push down on each corner. If the car bounces up and down more than 1-2 times, you are going to need new ones.

 

[Vic]

Push down on the rear, the car should go up once then settle down to its original position. If it bounces more than once, the struts are going out.
The fronts sometimes go out by becoming hard as a rock. If you push down on those and they don't move at all, then they are out.
Struts are relatively cheap, usually costing about $100 per wheel to have fixed (including labor).