What Are Shocks On A Car?
Shocks use hydraulic oil or air sealed into a cylinder that connects at one end to the suspension and the other to the chassis and compresses as the vehicle moves to absorb impact. Shock absorbers function as a motion dampener, providing a smoother and quieter ride for passengers. Though we wouldn’t recommend driving without shock absorbers, it would be possible as they only support motion dampening but not the suspension’s geometry or structure.
What Are Struts On A Car?
Struts are structural components in a vehicle’s suspension system. Struts help support the overall suspension and alignment using integral coil springs, mounts, and in some cases, bearings and bushings that allow the vehicle to be turned. Struts have nearly the same internal components that make up a shock absorber, but also include more structural components that allow them to function as a unit. Because strut assemblies are integral to the vehicle’s suspension, it would be impossible to drive without them installed.What Is The Difference Between Shocks and Struts?
The shocks and struts on a vehicle are both a part of the suspension system, but function very differently to provide for smooth and safe operation. While shocks and struts both help provide a safer and more comfortable ride, struts provide structural support to a vehicle, whereas shocks only dampen motion. Each of these parts are key components to a vehicle’s stabilization and overall ride quality, and help to support a vehicle in different ways. A bad shock absorber or failing strut can cause excessive suspension movement, which may cause a rougher ride, bouncing, vibrations, and premature tire wear if they no longer dampen suspension movement appropriately.Is It Dangerous To Drive With Bad Struts?
If you find yourself wondering if it is a safety hazard to drive with bad struts, the short answer is “yes”, but it depends on the severity of a strut’s wear. Struts on a car can wear out, suffer damage, or leak over time, which can affect the steering and alignment, and can make your vehicle’s ride uncomfortable and possibly dangerous depending on what part of the strut has failed.
Do I Have Worn Struts?
You may know if your struts are worn out if you hear banging or clunking sounds when going over bumps, experience an excessively bumpy ride, if your front end isn’t completely in contact with the pavement, or if you notice uneven tire wear.
Struts also affect both braking and take-off stability, and compress slightly under the weight and inertia of the vehicle to ensure that all tires stay in complete contact with the pavement. Symptoms of a bad strut or shock include the front end of your vehicle “nose-diving” when braking hard, or if you notice that the rear end “squats” excessively on acceleration. These issues can result in longer braking times, traction problems, and more, and should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure you can continue driving safely.
How Long Can I Drive With Bad Struts?
Driving with bad struts is not recommended, but in most instances, will not put you in immediate danger. It is best to replace damaged or worn struts as soon as you notice a problem to ensure your continued driving safety. Ignoring this repair will not resolve the issue--instead, it will only worsen, and can compromise the ride quality and braking distance of the vehicle and lead to premature tire wear.
Do I Have Worn Shocks?
Shocks may not pose such an immediate safety threat if they begin to wear out, but extended braking times or a lack of traction should be noted as it may still be a symptom of shock failure. Damaged or failing shocks may also contribute to a bumpy or clunking ride, as well as irregular tire wear due to the lack of impact absorption. Though symptoms of failure for shocks and struts are very similar, it is important to remember the different purposes shocks and struts fulfill, and how a malfunctioning part can impact steering, alignment, safety, or ride comfort.
How To Test If My Shocks/Struts Are Bad
To easily diagnose whether your vehicle’s shocks or struts are failing, it is first important to know what type of suspension support or ride control components you have. Modern vehicles usually have struts on the front end with shock absorbers on the back, but it is a good idea to check the owner’s manual or simply look at the vehicle to know exactly what suspension components you are diagnosing. Shocks and struts should be replaced in pairs on either end of the vehicle, since they usually wear out at the same rate.
To test your shock absorbers, simply push down on the bumper and release; if you see your car's body continuing to move or bounce after it has come back to normal ride height, you may need to replace your shocks. To test a vehicle’s front struts, try braking hard and watch to see if the vehicle’s front end dips down severely, or “nose-dives”. If so, your front struts may need to be replaced. To test the rear struts, try accelerating hard to see if you experience the rear of the vehicle squatting significantly when you first take off. If you experience this, your rear struts may be wearing out and need to be replaced.
What Is The Cost of Replacing Struts and Shock Absorbers?
The cost of replacing struts can range from $300 to $900 or more depending on the vehicle, although it is worth it to ensure a safe, reliable ride control system. A shock absorber replacement can cost up to $300 for the parts, and up to $600 for shop labor to replace them in pairs, although these prices can vary due to shop labor rates, price differences, and other variables. Ideally, you should replace all of your shocks and struts at once to prevent undue stress on older components, but replacing the components on either the front or rear axles together is a great standard to ensure that the new parts wear at the same rate.
Can I replace shocks and struts myself?
With the right tools, safety gear, and replacement parts, a shock absorber or strut assembly replacement can often be completed without the help of a professional shop. A DIY suspension repair requires lifting a vehicle, and should be done with caution and proper lifting equipment. Replacing only a strut cartridge will also require the use of a spring compressor, and can be extremely dangerous if the right tools and procedures are not used. Find step-by-step videos on how to replace struts, how to replace rear shocks in our How-To Hub, as well as how to replace front shocks. Be sure to consult your vehicle’s service manual for exact torque specifications, part locations, and other necessary information for a successful suspension repair.
The shock absorbers and struts on a vehicle are extremely important to maintaining a healthy steering and suspension system, and can offer a more comfortable, safer, and smoother ride for you and your passengers. Find all of the replacement items you may need for a suspension or ride control repair at O’Reilly Auto Parts, including replacement shocks and struts, strut mounts, shock and strut conversion kits, as well as suspension components and hardware to help you get the job done right the first time. We can also provide the specialty tools you may need for your shock or strut replacement in our Loaner Tool Program, which can help you save even more money on your repair.