| Almost every time I walk into a car repair shop, I | | | | decline in the quality of the drive is going to happen |
| see advertisements about shocks and struts. Some | | | | with out you noticing. |
| mechanic shops will tell you that those are necessary | | | | Would you like to know if you need to change those |
| for your safety, and other will tell you it gives you a | | | | parts without going to mechanic?? A preliminary way |
| smother ride, and more comforting drive on uneven | | | | of testing "bounce test". This is where you would |
| roads. But the question is, do you need to invest into | | | | rock and release the bumper or the body. If the cars |
| changing them, and if at all, how would it hurt you. | | | | continues to gyrate more than one or two times |
| If you continue to drive on your worn out shocks | | | | then the parts are aging, and it's time to replace |
| and struts, you are necessarily putting yourself in risk | | | | them. You can also diagnose the parts by answering |
| of creating a driving hazard, however, statistical and | | | | the following questions. |
| physical studies have concluded that worn shock | | | | When driving on rough roads, does the car |
| increase the stopping distance for a car driving on a | | | | excessively bounce? |
| rough surface. So, if you were someone that wants | | | | After hitting a bump, Does the car excessively |
| to keep their car in perfect driving condition, how | | | | bounce? |
| often do you change the struts and shocks. | | | | Does the body sway excessively when cornering or |
| Different manufacturers suggest different odometer | | | | driving in crosswinds? |
| readings for changing them. However,after detailed | | | | Does the nose dip when braking? |
| interviewing with my network of trusted mechanics, | | | | When backing out of the driveway, does the |
| I came to the conclusion that it is almost impossible | | | | suspension bottom out? |
| to a certain point in the car's life that the the struts | | | | When hauling extra passengers or weight does the |
| and shocks are to be replaced. Some factory shocks | | | | suspension bottom out? |
| may show aging signs after only 30,000 or 40,000 | | | | If you answered yes to more than one question, |
| miles. Struts usually last around 50,000 or 60,000 | | | | then the change is due. Remember, by not changing |
| miles. Shocks and struts do not require replacing at | | | | the parts you are necessarily putting yourself in risk |
| specific mileage intervals like filters or spark plugs. | | | | of creating a driving hazard. Spend the money only if |
| This is simply because the damping characteristics of | | | | you were someone that wants to keep their car in |
| the parts gradually deteriorates over time. And since | | | | perfect driving condition, how often do you change |
| you are driving the car pretty much everyday, the | | | | the struts and shocks. |