How To Keep Your Wheels on the Road - Warning Signs

by DoItYourself Staff

Signs You May Need New Shocks or Struts:

Roll or sway on turns.
Front end dives when braking.
Rear end "Squats" when accelerating.
Vehicle bounces or slides sideways on a winding, rough road.
Vehicle "bottoms out" (with a thump)

Preventive Checkups

Shock absorbers and struts seldom go bad all at once. Instead they gradually lose their ability to control the vehicle's stability. You may be unaware of deteriorating ride control until the condition has become serious. For this reason it's wise to test and inspect shocks and struts regularly.

Things to look for:

Leaks on hosing
Dents on the strut or shock body
Worn rubber mounting bushings
Abnormally worn or cupped tire tread
Damaged or missing compression bumpers
Damaged or missing protective boots
Pitted or dented piston rod

Purpose of Shocks & Struts

In the true sense of the word, a shock absorber is not a shock absorber. It's the springs, not the shock absorbers, that absorb road shocks. If a spring had to do this without the dampening, or controlling effects of a shock absorber, it would continue to bound after hitting the bump. And, since the springs support the weight of the body, the entire vehicle would continue to bounce after a bump, creating an unstable and uncomfortable condition.

While dampening of spring action still is their main purpose, shock absorbers (and, on most late model cars, "struts") also play a vital role in of controlling a vehicle's handling and ride.