Shocks and Awe: When To Consider Servicing a Vehicle's Suspension System

by Hunter Howard

Shock absorbers aren’t something the average driver thinks about on a daily basis. As a result, shocks can easily be put on the back burner, especially when you think about every other thing that can need replacement on a vehicle. A vehicle’s suspension can affect how smooth the ride is and how long it takes you to stop. In fact, bad suspension can increase stopping time by up to 20 percent. Here are a few things to look for when considering whether or not to replace shocks.

1. Nose Dives

As suspension starts to fail, you’ll notice the vehicle will gradually dip farther and farther past parallel when it comes to a stop.

2. Rough Riding

When every bump in the road causes the vehicle to bounce, poor suspension is often to blame.

3. Damaged Shocks

This is a fairly obvious reason to replace shocks. If you see shock absorbers leaking fluid or notice any damage such as holes of dents, it can be worthwhile to check them out.

4. The Bounce Test

If you suspect the vehicle’s suspension is going bad, perform the bounce test. With the car in park, press down on the front and rear end of the car with all your weight. If the vehicle appears to bounce more than a few times the suspension is probably wearing out.

If the vehicle has these symptoms look into replacing the shocks and for more check out this video from ChrisFix, a popular YouTuber who posts informative videos twice a week  about how to make repairs on vehicles. In this video, ChrisFix shows exactly how shocks affect a vehicle’s ride with a helpful before and after layout.