What happens when car shocks go bad?
Generally speaking, when car shocks go bad, you'll experience a bouncy/bumpy ride, poor handling, and increased stopping distances, in addition to signs that run the gamut from fluid leaks and uneven tire wear to excessive body roll during turns and a “diving” front end under braking. Important to note is why these symptoms pose a genuine danger, namely, because they reduce traction and control, thus increasing the risk of skidding and accidents.
Let’s now answer the question of “What Happens When Car Shocks Go Bad?” by taking a closer look at the signs of failure and some consequences.
- Reduced Braking Efficiency - Without a doubt, car struts and shocks that are worn down can adversely affect the performance of your brakes, increasing your vehicle’s stopping distance and creating other issues, such as increasing the risk of skidding on wet roads.
- Tire Wear - While the wearing down of tire tread is a normal maintenance phenomenon, it could also be due to worn shocks and car struts. If your tires exhibit signs of accelerated wear or “cupping,” your struts or shocks may exhibit a reduced ability to maintain what is known as tire-to-road contact; the increased risk of hydroplaning on wet roads is just one of the scenarios that make this a big safety issue.
- Loss of Handling and Control - If you drive your vehicle while it exhibits failing struts or shocks, you run the risk of not being able to control its movements effectively. Should you find your car or truck bouncing excessively, swaying, or rolling abruptly in a turn, or you sense a loss of control when a crosswind rocks the chassis, it’s time to consider the possibility that your shocks and struts have lost their weight transfer control ability. What’s worse, if there’s loss of contact between your tires and the pavement, controlling your vehicle in an emergency situation can be difficult.
- Increased Wear on Other Suspension Bits - Worn struts and shocks can also negatively affect related braking, suspension, and steering components. As the struts or shocks wear, they allow more movement in the suspension, which equates to other steering, braking, and suspension components suffering the same effects.
If you suspect your vehicle has worn car struts or shocks, it’s time to bring it to a qualified repair shop.
Need to know more about what happens when car shocks go bad? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about car struts and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
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Generally speaking, when car shocks go bad, you'll experience a bouncy/bumpy ride, poor handling, and increased stopping distances, in addition to signs that run the gamut from fluid leaks and uneven tire wear to excessive body roll during turns and a “diving” front end under braking. Important to note is why these symptoms pose a genuine danger, namely, because they reduce traction and control, thus increasing the risk of skidding and accidents.
Let’s now answer the question of “What Happens When Car Shocks Go Bad?” by taking a closer look at the signs of failure and some consequences.
- Reduced Braking Efficiency - Without a doubt, car struts and shocks that are worn down can adversely affect the performance of your brakes, increasing your vehicle’s stopping distance and creating other issues, such as increasing the risk of skidding on wet roads.
- Tire Wear - While the wearing down of tire tread is a normal maintenance phenomenon, it could also be due to worn shocks and car struts. If your tires exhibit signs of accelerated wear or “cupping,” your struts or shocks may exhibit a reduced ability to maintain what is known as tire-to-road contact; the increased risk of hydroplaning on wet roads is just one of the scenarios that make this a big safety issue.
- Loss of Handling and Control - If you drive your vehicle while it exhibits failing struts or shocks, you run the risk of not being able to control its movements effectively. Should you find your car or truck bouncing excessively, swaying, or rolling abruptly in a turn, or you sense a loss of control when a crosswind rocks the chassis, it’s time to consider the possibility that your shocks and struts have lost their weight transfer control ability. What’s worse, if there’s loss of contact between your tires and the pavement, controlling your vehicle in an emergency situation can be difficult.
- Increased Wear on Other Suspension Bits - Worn struts and shocks can also negatively affect related braking, suspension, and steering components. As the struts or shocks wear, they allow more movement in the suspension, which equates to other steering, braking, and suspension components suffering the same effects.
If you suspect your vehicle has worn car struts or shocks, it’s time to bring it to a qualified repair shop.
Need to know more about what happens when car shocks go bad? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about car struts and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
About the Author
