Bouncy Bouncy
When Bryan College Station drivers think about preventive maintenance, what usually comes to mind is oil, fluids and brakes. We don’t generally think about our shocks or struts, but these critical auto parts keep our tires on the road.
Bryan College Station drivers don’t think about shocks as often as oil changes because shocks and struts last a long time and wear out slowly. They don’t need to be checked as often as our brake pads or air filters. By the time your shocks have fifty thousand miles on them, their performance will have noticeable degraded. If you want to restore the handling and ride designed for your car or SUV, look at replacing your shocks and struts.
Of course, if you drive off-road around Bryan College Station, carry heavy loads, tow a trailer, or put in a lot of mileage on poor driving surfaces, your shocks or struts will wear out more quickly. You’ll need to replace them more often or upgrade to better shocks.
Your suspension system uses springs and shocks to absorb the “shocks” and vibrations of driving over road surfaces. Springs support the car or SUV’s weight, suspending it above the axles so the body of the car or SUV is protected from most of the bumps on the road. Shocks control the bounciness of the springs by moderating rebound. They also push your tires down onto the road’s surface, maximizing traction. Without shocks, your wheels would bounce over bumps and lift against curbs and corners. Shocks are critical to the safe handling of your car or SUV as well as a comfortable ride. Struts are a combination shock and spring in one unit.
Worn shocks result in lowered vehicle handling performance. If your vehicle “squirms” around corners or gets “floaty” over bumps, then you need to check your shocks. If the rear end of your vehicle squats while accelerating, the front end dips while braking, or one corner sags, you probably need new shocks.
Uneven tire wear may also be an indication of bad shocks. If shocks are damaged or leaking, they definitely need to be replaced.
If one of your shocks needs to be replaced, you need to replace them all. This will maintain an even ride and predictable, safe handling.
If you’re unsure whether you need new shocks, or if you’re considering upgrading to a higher quality shock, then consult with your honest and friendly Superior Auto Service service advisor. They can give you critical auto advice on the condition of your shocks and how to match your driving needs to the quality of your shocks.
Good car care is essential to the safety, performance and efficiency of your car or SUV. It can improve the comfort of your ride as well. Give us a call (979) 846-5344