Smooth Operator (Shocks and Struts)
June 2, 2025
Few of us ever drive somewhere without encountering some pretty rough roads, and it's amazing how well our vehicles are able to smooth out the ride. Thank your shocks and struts.
The two parts are similar. Some cars have shocks in the rear, and struts in the front. Others have struts all around. A shock absorber uses a cylinder filled with gas or liquid that's connected to your vehicle's frame and axle. When your vehicle encounters an imperfection in the road, the shock dampens the motion.
A strut is essentially a shock absorber mounted inside a spring and can support more weight than a shock by itself.
Shocks and struts take a lot of punishment and wear out. When they do, your tires are not contacting the road as much as they should, and that can result in a bumpy, unstable ride. Worn-out shocks and struts also transfer the impacts of road imperfections directly to your vehicle's body which can cause further damage to other parts.
You can tell when your shocks and struts are wearing out when your vehicle's ride is bouncy, you feel the bumps and body motion a lot more than you used to, or you may see fluid leaking from the areas near the wheels.
How often your shocks and struts need replacing depends on what surfaces you drive on, how far they've traveled, and how long they've been on the vehicle. Our technicians can check the condition of your shocks and struts and advise you when they need to be changed. Shocks and struts should always be changed in pairs.
Because shocks and struts wear out gradually over a long time and distance, experts recommend you have them checked at least once a year. Plus, if you know you've recently hit something especially hard in the road, you should have your suspension checked just to make sure it's ok.
Perfect Tune Auto Repair
5434 S. Old US Highway 23
Brighton, Michigan 48116
810.227.9903
http://www.perfecttuneautorepair.com
Need Service?
More articles from Perfect Tune Auto Repair

If You Drive Like a Maniac (Aggressive Driving is Bad for a Vehicle)
July 28, 2025
When someone mentions driving like a maniac, they're not talking about you, surely? Besides the safety issues of aggressive driving, you should know that your vehicle will last a lot longer if you'll just mellow out a little. Here are four traits good drivers follow if they want their vehicles t... More

DOG FOOD IN YOUR ENGINE (Keeping Rodents out of your Engine)
July 21, 2025
A technician was telling us the other day that he was servicing an engine and spotted something he'd never seen before: A collection of dry dog food siting on a horizontal metal ledge near the base of the engine. It was neatly stashed and was in a spot where the food pellets couldn't have simply... More

Take Charge! (Battery Testing)
July 14, 2025
OK, so you probably take your vehicle's battery for granted. Turn the key or push a button and it starts right up. During times of warmer weather, you probably think your battery can take it easy. But it may surprise you to learn that hot weather can be much harder on a vehicle's battery than ... More