Have you been noticing that you have been bouncing up and down in your car more than usual as you go over potholes and bumps in the road? This means your vehicle’s ride isn’t as comfortable as it once was. You’ve also noticed that when you step on the brake pedal, your car wants to lunge forward. You may wonder if it’s time to replace the car struts or shocks.
So when should you replace shocks on a car? Many people never keep a car long enough to replace the shocks or car struts. But just in the normal course of driving, especially if you add a lot of miles to your vehicle, shocks will wear out as your vehicle accumulates mileage. However, they will wear out even faster if you consistently drive over bumpy streets and hit potholes or other obstacles in the road.
Bad shocks can be dangerous as they impact the steering and stopping performance of your vehicle. You will be happy to know that replacing the struts or car shocks will improve stopping performance as well as increase the safety of your vehicle.
If you’ve noticed suspension problems, beware of the following signals of bad shocks and struts:
- Excessive bouncing when hitting a bump or pothole.
- Vehicle nosedives when braking or accelerating.
- Tire “Cupping” — the rubber wears off the tire each time it hits the ground.
- Hydraulic fluid leaks from inside the shock.
If any of the above signs look familiar, you don’t have to put up with them any longer. Just take your car in for an inspection and have the necessary repairs done?
Wondering when should you replace shocks on a car? Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Dependable Car Care for more information about car struts and shocks and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of Ventura, CA, and the surrounding area.
