I don't think so, my illuminas could be slowly compressed by hand even at setting 5 but they work fine @ all settings I've tried when on the car. The thing is that after you compress them they go back out all the way.

A dead strut I think would be easy to compress and would stay compressed and wouldn't move back. That's what my dead stockers were like when I took them out.

1993 Eagle Talon TSI AWD: balance shafts, cruise & AC removed; 16psi, Dejon intake & UICP, ported 14b, EVOIII mani, ported 2G O2 housing, 2.5" Buschur dp to 3" Thermal exhaust, datalogger, front strut brace, prothane motor mounts

1995 Eclipse RS U-Boot; Tokico Illuminas, GSX front brakes, ST front swaybar, short shifter, CAI with K&N filter, rear disks and swaybar, front upper and rear lower strut braces, beater exterior