8 Signs That Your Car Has Shock or Strut Damage
A pothole can be your car’s worst enemy. These holes or pits on a
road’s surface can seriously damage a vehicle’s ride control system.
If you do drive over a pothole, S&S Service Center recommends
that you have your car’s shocks or struts inspected to make sure they aren’t
damaged.
Shocks and struts control how vehicles ride and handle. The
shock absorbers, or struts as they are referred to on late-model vehicles, act
as a cushion to dampen the bouncing action of a car’s springs. The springs
absorb the road bumps; without them, the vehicle would continually bounce and
bound down the road, making driving extremely difficult.
Shocks and struts also control spring and suspension movement to
keep the tires in contact with the road. This affects steering, stability and
braking. A broken shock or strut could alter the steering and handling of a
vehicle and create driving dangers. It’s important to be aware of the warning
signs that your vehicle’s shocks or struts may need to be replaced.
- The vehicle rolls or sways on turns.
- The vehicle’s front-end dives when braking.
- The vehicle’s rear end squats when accelerating.
- The vehicle bounces or slides sideways on a winding, rough road.
- The vehicle "bottoms out" or thumps on bumps.
- The vehicle sits lower in the front or rear.
- The vehicle is leaking or has signs of physical damage, such as rusting or dents.
- There’s a loss of directional control during sudden stops of the vehicle.
Many components affect a vehicle’s handling. Having your car
inspected, if you experience any of the above signs, is good preventive
maintenance and can help its parts wear less and last longer.
"If you think you may have a worn out or broken shock or strut,
don’t wait," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council.
"Whether you replace it yourself or take your car to a professional service
technician, this situation should be taken care of right away."
