On my 01' Stratus I am hearing a popping sound from time to time, and was told by my mechanic that it probably needs struts. However, it seems to make the noise inconsistantly. It doesn't seem to get worse when driving on a rough road, as one would expect with bad struts, it will pop just as much on a smooth road. Turning the car doesn't cause it to make the popping noise any more or less frequently either. The shop wants $500 to change my struts but I'm afraid to let him go ahead,and then still have the problem. The car only has 60,000mi on it, seems early for a strut replacement. Has anyone else had a simmilar problem? How hard are the struts to change anyway? Thanks for any input you may have.

 

i don't know about a poping sound but mine has been making a loud *** bang from the front and the rear. the same does not do it all the time but every now and then. i took it to the dealer to look at it they could not see anything wrong because they could not replicate the sound. and cost me 75$ just to look at the car for each problem even though i got the extended warrenty

 

I don't know if this is the same, but mine makes a popping sound also, like slow popcorn, and you can feel it in the steering column. It only does it when it is warm, and I let off the gas. In my case they have been able to replicate it. The dealership kept it for 2 days trying to figure it out, to no avail. Luckily mine didn't charge me, however whatever they did try to stop the noise has now resulted in my key being stuck in the ignition and it won't turn all the way off. Back on Monday I guess...