Diagnose Your Shocks

If you’re thinking you may need to replace your shocks or struts, here are some tips on how to diagnose your shocks:

• Check for mechanical failure - Obvious mechanical problems are one reason you would have to replace shocks:
  • Leaking hydraulic fluid. A small amount of fluid escaping from the shock is normal, but fluid dripping from the unit indicates a worn or broken seal or a damaged shock body. The unit will need to be replaced.
  • Bent piston rod. A bent or scored piston rod indicates the shock or strut will need to be replaced.
  • Broken bracket. A cracked or broken mounting bracket indicates that replacement is a must, as soon as possible.

Remember, shocks wear out over time and may need to be replaced, even if they are not leaking or showing obvious mechanical failure. 

• Check for abnormal tire wear - Worn shocks or struts allow the tires to move up & down excessively, creating an evenly spaced wear pattern known as ‘cupping.’ As the condition worsens, tire noise, traction loss, and tire damage occur. 
• Lost ride quality - if your vehicle has developed a rough ride, lost its original handling, control, and stability, or excessive body roll in turns, chances are you need new shocks or struts.
  Professional mechanics will do a diagnostic road test to evaluate shocks and struts for ride quality. See how they do it in this video.  [Connect to 3-minute mile]
• Nose-dive on braking - If shocks are working as designed, the vehicle should remain well-controlled while stopping. When a vehicle stops, worn shocks allow the vehicle’s weight to shift too far forward too quickly. At the end of the stop, the vehicle's nose may bob up and down excessively. This indicates that the shocks are worn and that the stopping distance is likely increased due to the worn shocks or struts.

Why do shocks and struts need to be replaced?

Properly performing shocks and struts is absolutely necessary for safe driving. Being able to stop safely and avoid road obstacles requires that the tires make firm contact with the road. Worn shocks or struts allow the wheels to bounce up and down excessively, so the tires are not firmly planted. Modern safety systems, such as ABS, Traction Control, and ESC, rely on the tires being in good contact with the roadway, and worn shocks and struts can compromise their operation. Worn valves, worn seals, and mechanical damage are the most common reasons that shocks lose their performance and need to be replaced.