During a bounce test, what indicates that the struts may be defective?

In a bounce test, the focus is on observing the behavior of the vehicle's suspension system when it is pushed down and then released. If the vehicle bounces twice before settling, this suggests that the struts may be defective. A properly functioning suspension should allow the vehicle to bounce once and then come to rest without further oscillation.

When the vehicle bounces twice, it indicates that there is either a problem with the dampening ability of the struts or that the springs are no longer effectively managing the oscillation. This results in excess movement, which signifies that the struts are not performing as they should. Proper functioning struts are crucial for maintaining ride comfort and vehicle stability, especially during driving conditions that involve uneven surfaces.

In contrast, if the vehicle settles quickly after being pushed, sways excessively, or does not move at all, these symptoms signify other issues or characteristics of the suspension system that do not specifically indicate strut failure in the same way as the vehicle bouncing twice does. Observing just one bounce before settling indicates the struts are dampening the movement correctly, thus validating isolation of issues specifically tied to bounce behavior.