Worn shocks and struts: what to watch for

Bouncing, nose-diving, leaning and uneven tire wear. How worn suspension shows up in everyday driving.

Shocks and struts keep your tires pressed to the road. When they wear out, it happens slowly, so it's easy to get used to a car that handles worse than it should.

Signs to watch for

• The car keeps bouncing after a bump or dip
• The nose dives when you brake hard
• The car leans or sways more in turns
• Choppy, uneven wear on your tires
• Oily fluid on the outside of a shock or strut
• Clunks or knocks over bumps

Shocks vs. struts

Both control bouncing. A strut is also part of the suspension's structure, and on many cars it's part of the steering too. That's why an alignment is often recommended after struts are replaced.

Why it matters

Worn suspension can make stopping distances longer and the car harder to control in an emergency. It also wears out tires faster.

If your car doesn't feel as planted as it used to, bring it by. Suspension is one of the things we do best.