What Do Shocks and Struts Do?
Your suspension consists of springs, struts, and shocks. The springs absorb impact from the road, your struts support your springs, and your shock absorbers or “shocks” limit the bounce your car experiences by absorbing residual movement from the springs. If your shocks and struts are not maintained properly, an unexpected pothole, gravel road, dirt road, or otherwise uneven surface can cause your wheels to bounce off the surface you are driving on. It can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle, creating a danger for you, your passengers, and others on the road.
How Do I Keep My Shocks and Struts Maintained?
Well-maintained shocks and struts contribute to the stability and the safety of your vehicle’s steering and suspension. Keeping them maintained means having them serviced regularly to preempt any problems before they develop. To keep this from happening, you should get your suspension inspected at least once a year. An inspection checks that your shocks and struts are still functioning well, and if they aren’t, the components will be replaced. You can also tell if there is an issue that has developed by certain symptoms that draw attention to a problem with your shocks and struts.
Observable Symptoms While Driving
- Bouncing too much.
- Nosedives when stopping.
- Leaning and swaying when turning corners, changing lanes, or going around sharp curves.
- Stiff ride, not enough bounce.
- Noisy steering or poor steering responsiveness.
- Instability at high speeds.
Visually Observable Symptoms
- Unusually flat areas on tires or unevenly worn areas in the tread.
- Fluid leaking from shocks or struts.
- Dents or other damage to shocks or struts.
- Broken or damaged bushings or mounts.
How Often Do My Shocks and Struts Need to Be Replaced?
The make and model of your vehicle makes a difference in how often these components need to be replaced. It also depends on your driving habits and the road or surfaces you tend to drive on. To truly answer this question, it is better to check your owner’s manual, which contains recommendations from the manufacturer that they feel is the best practice for maintaining your vehicle. Our service team can also answer this question by a visual inspection to determine if they are worn.
