Your vehicle’s shock absorbers and struts are the most important components for handling your vehicle

Shocks and struts are one of the most important safety features of your vehicle. These components do become worn over time and can sustain damage. Shocks and struts are crucial for steering, stopping and stability. Inspecting these parts on a regular basis helps keep you in control of your vehicle and your passengers safer.

What are car shocks?
Shock absorbers are the hydraulic components in a car that minimize movement generated by springs. They absorb some of the jolts caused by bumps and unevenness in the road. Decreasing the impact of rough roads can help the driver maintain control of the car. Shocks ensure a smoother, safer driving experience.

What are car struts?
A car’s struts are structural components of its steering and suspension systems. They are made of a spring and a shock absorber. They are designed to be stronger than shocks due to the fact that they are weight-bearing components. They also help dampen the car’s joints to improve alignment and steering.

Failing shocks and struts have a negative effect on your car:

Tyre wear and tear
Issues with shocks and struts can put extra pressure on a vehicle’s tyres that should be handled by the suspension. Uneven tread pattern on tyres is often a sign of bad shocks or struts or both. Even new tyres can be damaged by bad shocks or struts so it’s important to have them replaced immediately to keep your tyres in good condition.

Steering control
Shocks and struts grab the road while you’re driving, which becomes more difficult when they’re worn out. It becomes even more difficult when navigating curves or corners or even when driving on uneven pavements. If you are experiencing suspension issues, your vehicle may start to sway and become less responsive when turning the steering wheel. When you try to turn it could also feel like the car is being pulled in the other direction. More force is then needed to turn the wheel, which places undue pressure on your power steering components, and they will wear out faster.

Accident risk
The suspension system is an integral part of the car’s ability to operate safely so issues with shocks and struts could easily lead to accidents. Reduced braking ability, poor performance taking turns and corners, prematurely worn tyres, and loss of control driving on rough terrain or speed bumps could easily cause an accident. Bad struts and shocks could even cause damage to other parts of your car over time, making it even more unsafe to drive.

Signs of shock and strut failure:

Leaking fluid
One cause of leaking fluid is strut or shock damage which occurs when the upper seals become damaged or worn. This can be caused by dirt and debris getting inside the shock or strut or both. Shocks and struts need hydraulic fluid to absorb the force of the road. Without it the vehicle can roll more easily.

Decreased braking ability
One of the primary purposes of shocks is to absorb the force of the car against the road. This is especially important when the car is braking. Brakes put force on the wheels to stop them; the suspension system directs that force to the rest of the car. Poorly functioning shocks have a majorly reduced ability to absorb the force of a car from stopping. The ability to stop quickly and efficiently is crucial for the safety of vehicle occupants and other motorists on the road.

Turning and acceleration problems
Rear-wheel drive vehicles generate a large amount of torque when the car starts to accelerate. When its suspension is functioning properly, it absorbs the torque and redistributes it to the front wheels. This enables the car to accelerate evenly. If shocks start to go bad, the vehicle loses the ability to distribute that force throughout the car and rear wheels are left handling most of it. This uneven torque distribution can cause the wheels to lose contact with the road which is a very dangerous situation.

Loss of control over bumpy, rough and uneven terrain
Faulty shocks and struts can cause issues with navigating across dips, bumps, and other uneven terrain. They can cause your wheels to start to bounce or vibrate, which can compromise your ability to control the vehicle. An unusually shaky or bumpy ride often means suspension problems. This can increase the chance of hydroplaning in the rain too in wet road conditions.

We recommend you include a shock and strut check in your regular vehicle maintenance schedule and should you suspect any issues get it checked out by the professionals.

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