When drivers think about the important parts of their car that require special care, they typically think of their brakes, engine, or tires. However, we are here to argue that your suspension system is just as important. If your shocks and struts aren’t working as they should, your car ride may feel bumpy, unstable, and overall very unsafe.
The weight of your vehicle is distributed differently when you navigate the open road. As you hit bumpy roads with potholes or speed bumps, it is your suspension’s job to absorb the feeling and keep your vehicle stable. Furthermore, your shocks and struts keep your car grounded with proper road traction.
As you operate your vehicle day after day, an abnormal sign will stick out like a sore thumb. When your suspension parts go bad, you won’t miss it. Below is signs that indicate you need shocks and struts replacement:
Fluid Around the Shocks and Struts
Your shocks and struts have fluid in them. When they’ve worn down, they may leak liquid around the housing area.
Nose Diving When Braking
When you stop your car, your brakes do a lot of the work. However, the suspension plays an important role too. When your shocks or struts are no longer effective, you may experience the front end of your car dipping whenever you engage the brakes.
Squatting When Accelerating
Similar to nose-diving when braking, the back-end of your car may lower itself whenever you accelerate. This occurs because your vehicle cannot evenly distribute the weight of your car.
Excessive Bouncing
Since your suspension is responsible for absorbing the impact of road bumps, you may notice them more when your shocks and struts age. In fact, it can send a jolt throughout your vehicle. If your vehicle excessively bounces, please bring your car to our auto repair shop soon.
Not only will you experience the signs above, but ignoring worn shocks and struts can lead to uneven and accelerated tire wear, poor brake performance, steering problems, and more. If you feel like it is time to change your shocks and/or struts, please do not wait. We invite you to TOS Auto Repair for all your suspension needs!