When should you change your shocks and struts?
The shocks and struts of your air suspension system are integral parts responsible for keeping your vehicle balanced and connected to the road when driving. Shocks and struts are reliable air suspension parts, but they’ll need to be replaced with time.
Replacing damaged shocks and struts regularly will help your vehicle deliver a dependable performance for years to come. So we’ve provided this helpful guide to help you determine when you need to replace your shocks and struts.
How Often Should You Replace Shocks and Struts?
Like all automotive parts, your vehicle’s shocks and struts follow a specific maintenance schedule. Experts say that shocks and struts should be replaced every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. However, that’s just a general recommendation.
The life span of shocks and struts will depend on your driving patterns. If you’re traveling through bumpy streets and adverse road conditions often, then your shocks and struts will need to be replaced more often than those commuting short distances every day.
With that said, it’s important to have these air suspension parts inspected regularly. This will help you get a better understanding of the exact mileage and time your shocks and struts need to be replaced.
Shocks and Struts Warning Signs
Replace your shocks and struts if:
- You notice poor steering response.
- Steering performance is stiff.
- Your car sways or leans when turning and changing lanes.
- Your vehicle bounces excessively when driving.
- Braking performance is unstable.
These are all warning signs that your shocks and struts need to be replaced. They can occur at any time, so always be aware of any of the signs above or any other changes in overall performance. And once you notice that there’s something off about your vehicle’s performance, check your shocks and struts and replace them if needed.
Checking Struts and Shocks for Damage
Sometimes, struts and shocks won’t begin to emit the warning signs above until it’s too late. So you also want to perform routine visual inspections to help you understand when you need to replace your struts and shocks.
During these visual inspections, you’ll want to check the struts and shocks for leaks. With time, these air suspension parts will deteriorate, resulting in fluid leaking. Usually, fluid will leak from the top of their bodies.
You also want to look for any corroded, worn, or broken mounts and bushings around the suspension parts. Damaged parts around the shocks and struts could cause severe harm to the suspension system. Replace the mounts and bushings as well as the shocks and struts to prevent performance issues.
Most importantly, check your tires. When your vehicle’s struts or shocks need to be replaced, they can no longer support the vehicle. So the weight of the car bears down on the wheels causing uneven tread wear.
Without shocks and struts, no air suspension system would be able to work properly. So use the guide above to help you understand when you need to replace your shocks and struts to ensure long-lasting suspension performance.
Ready to have your shocks and struts replaced? Call Euromotive Performance now at 954-944-2779
