What can you do in 17 minutes? Watch a YouTube clip? Make a quick lunch? How about compressing a spring and reassembling a traditional strut? Most labor guides say a traditional strut job takes 17 minutes just to compress the spring and reassemble it. Sure, you could bill that time. But what if you could install a more profitable part instead—one that clears your bay faster, reduces comebacks, and adds value for your customer? Let’s talk about the benefits of loaded struts—also called complete struts—that include the spring, upper mount, and all related hardware.
Why More Shops Sell Loaded Struts
Loaded struts arrive pre-assembled with the spring, upper mount, and all necessary hardware. They cost more than bare struts, but they deliver what your customers really want: a cleaner, faster, more complete repair.
The biggest hurdle for most customers is the price. To overcome that, help them see it from their own point of view. If a loaded strut gives them like-new ride quality and prevents future issues with springs or mounts, then the added cost starts to feel like a smart investment.
From a shop’s perspective, the benefits of loaded struts also show up in the bottom line. You skip the spring compression process and free up the bay for the next job faster.
Know When They Make Sense
Loaded struts don’t fit every vehicle yet. Coverage keeps expanding, but options may still be limited for less common models. Most manufacturers focus on high-volume applications or platforms known for spring or ride-height problems.
DIYers originally embraced loaded struts. But shops quickly realized how much time and hassle they saved. When techs install a new strut but reuse an old spring and mount, they leave potential problems in place. Upper mounts carry vehicle weight and manage braking and acceleration torque. Over time, rubber and bearing components wear out. That can cause steering issues or noise. Weak springs also impact ride height, camber, caster, and tire wear.
If the ride height is uneven, weak springs are usually to blame. In most cases, replacing the spring pair solves the problem. Loaded struts make that fix simple – in one easy step.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more tire, service and shop operations videos.
