The shocks and struts on a vehicle take a lot of abuse on any given driving day. These parts impact how the vehicle “feels” and handles on the road and are very important. Knowing when to replace shocks and struts can help drivers keep their vehicles in top condition.
Generally speaking, there is no set time or mileage for replacing shocks and struts. For the most part, the time to replace these parts is based on how the vehicle begins to feel while being driven.
Most experts will say that drivers need to pay attention to how the vehicle is handling as a major pointer to whether or not these parts need to be looked at. Vehicles with shocks that are worn will handle poorly and drivers will feel a “rolling” sensation when turning. They may also experience a bouncing sensation when the vehicle goes over bumps.
A good way to see if your shocks and struts are in need of maintenance is to press down hard on each of the vehicle’s four corners. If shocks and struts are okay, you will feel a definite resistance, meaning you will not be able to easily press the body of the vehicle downward. When performing this simple test, also pay attention to how fast the corner comes back up. Corners should rise fairly quickly. If, on the other hand, the corners go down with just a little pressure, you need to get new shocks and struts.
Even if your current shocks and struts do not need to be replaced because of wear and tear, you may want to consider replacing them anyway in order to get better performance from the vehicle. When you replace standard shocks and struts with high-performance ones, handling and “feel” will improve.
Replacing your shocks and struts does not have be expensive. There are many excellent auto repair outlets available who can replace these parts for a lot less money than many people expect. Keep in mind, though, that unless you know what you are doing and have access to special tools and safety equipment, this is not the type of job most people should do as it can be very dangerous.
Take a few minutes soon and perform the simple shock test described above. If you are not sure of the results, visit a trusted local mechanic such as Xpress Lube of Kernersville, and have them check out your shocks and struts for you.
