Home > 7 Warning Signs of Failing Shocks and Struts

Front End Work

An important aspect of your car are the shocks and struts, as these parts are essential in ensuring a comfortable and safe ride. Not all vehicles have both shocks and struts, some just have shocks while others have only struts. Shocks are part of a vehicle’s suspension system, while struts are a complete suspension assembly.

shocks in vehicle suspension assembly

What Happens When Shocks or Struts Give Out?

If your shocks and/or struts are worn, your ride will become less comfortable and stable as the car will experience more bouncing. Even if you are willing to put up with a bouncy ride, you should consider the safety factors. Driving with worn or failing shocks and struts can increase your stopping distance, especially when the road is slippery or wet. You may not think you have a problem until you hit a slippery road and find out the hard way.

How Can I Tell if My Shocks and Struts are Failing?

Many factors are involved with the life of your shocks and struts. If you notice any of these warning signs, have

One important aspect of your vehicle includes the suspension system. Your car’s suspension system keeps your wheels safely on the road while helping your car absorb the shock of uneven surfaces. How your car accelerates, brakes, and handles traction issues such as rain, potholes, turns, and curves is determined by the condition of the suspension system.

mechanic repairing vehicle's suspension system

Parts of a Car’s Suspension System

Your suspension system is part of your car’s chassis and includes your tires, struts, shock absorbers, air springs, steering, sway bars, and axles. There’s a front suspension and a rear suspension. The front suspension deals with steering and traction while the rear suspension helps keep your car from lowering and hitting the ground. In short, your suspension system works together to keep distance between your car’s frame and the road for optimum control.

Why is the Suspension System Important?

Your car’s suspension system is important as it helps provide easier handling, keeping you safe and in control of your vehicle, as well as comfort. For instance, your shock absorbers keep you from feeling

Shocks and struts keep your vehicle properly supported. Not only do worn shocks and struts make your ride bumpy and unpleasant, they can create downright dangerous imbalances that can affect the way your vehicle handles. Keeping shocks and struts properly maintained helps prevent problems and reduces costs of keeping your car or truck in top condition. Check out these six tips for maintaining your car’s shocks and struts.

shocks/struts replaced on vehicle

1. Schedule Regular Inspections

A skilled, certified mechanic should take a look at your suspension system at least once a year, or every 12,000 miles, to check for any potentially dangerous wear that could cause additional damage to other parts of your vehicle.

2. Keep Tires Properly Inflated

It is important to keep your tires properly inflated, as they are an essential part of the suspension system. Improper inflation will cause your tires to wear unevenly, which can affect other parts of your vehicle’s suspension.

3. Do Your Best to Avoid Potholes and Bumpy Roads

Keep an eye on the road ahead, wherever you drive

Have you noticed a little extra ‘bounce’ in your ride lately? If you have, it might be time to have your suspension system serviced. Other signs to watch out for include a ‘crooked’ or stiff steering wheel that makes turning difficult or uneven tire wear. If you just ignore these warning signs, you could be calling a tow truck sooner, rather than later!

mechanic performing suspension system maintenance

The Importance of Maintaining Your Suspension System

Your car’s suspension does more than just ensure a smooth ride. It’s also a critical safety component of any vehicle. The suspension system is what keeps your car connected to the road. If you have to brake or swerve suddenly, it’s the suspension system that keeps your vehicle on the road and under control.

Unfortunately, potholes, gravel roads, and other rough rides can all take a toll on your car’s springs, shocks, struts, tires, and other suspension system components. So, too, can running over curbs! That’s why you’ll want to have the suspension checked if it takes a hard bump or at least

A good, properly maintained suspension system is essential for providing a comfortable ride through various terrains. The varied motion that your car experiences due to uneven terrain, potholes, speed bumps, and more can have a significant impact on your driving experience. However, thanks to modern spring suspensions, you can enjoy a more balanced, comfortable ride. Keep reading to learn more about the common types of spring suspension systems.

maintenance performed on vehicle spring suspension

Air Spring Suspension

An air spring suspension is a type of vehicle suspension that uses an electric pump or compressor to inflate air into flexible bellows, often made of textile-reinforced rubber.

Pros of air spring suspensions include:

  • Helps to improve ride height.
  • It minimizes the occurrence of empty trucks with short wheelbases bouncing over uneven terrain.
  • It enhances driving comfort by reducing road noise and vibration.

Cons of air spring suspensions include:

  • The system’s vulnerability to air leaks can cause it to malfunction.
  • Air spring suspensions are expensive to buy and install.
  • The extra weight can reduce