How the Shocks and Struts Work
Your suspension has many components, including springs. The springs absorb bumps and road impact when you drive. There is a set of struts that support your springs and another set of shocks (or shock absorbers) that limits the bounce your car experiences by absorbing residual movement in the suspension springs. If your shocks and struts are not properly maintained, a gravel road or unexpected pothole can cause the wheels of the vehicle to bounce off the road or surface you are driving on, leading to loss of control and collisions.
Well-maintained shocks and struts are critical to the safety and stability of your vehicle’s suspension and steering. Best practice is to have your shocks and struts serviced on a regular basis before any issue comes along. If you don’t get this done regularly, you may start to notice some signs and symptoms of problems start to manifest. If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend you bring your vehicle in to our Service Center at Premier Honda to have your shocks and struts inspected and serviced right away.
Symptoms Observed While Driving
- Instability at high speeds.
- Excessive bouncing.
- Steering response is poor, or noise is heard while steering.
- Nose of the vehicle dips down when stopping.
- Ride seems stiff or not enough bounce.
- Vehicle sways or leans when changing lanes or turning corners.
Signs from Visual Observations
- Broken, damaged, or corroded bushings or mounts.
- Tires are unevenly worn, or that have odd flat areas.
- Strut or shock bodies dented or otherwise damaged.
- Fluid leaking from shocks or struts.
How Often Should I have Shock and Strut Service?
As for the interval for service, the short answer is, it depends. The make and model of the vehicle, the quality of the parts, plus the driver’s driving habits and driving conditions can influence how frequently or infrequently your shocks and struts will need to be serviced. The best practice would be to consult your owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations that are specific to your vehicle’s make and model to get their suggestions on service intervals for this and other recommended vehicle maintenance.
