If you pop the hood and look left and right you will see the strut housings. Underneath that there is a unit that is between the car and the strut. It will not affect you tire wear or hurt the car for them to be busted. However, with cold weather comming you will hear them loud and clear. I replaced mine and glad I did. It didn't sound like a rattle trap anymore. Well worth it if you don't like pesky rattles. I hate car noises. I am pretty crazy about my cars staying as new as possible. If you call a dealer, they will know. It is not the easiest job, but not the hardest either.