Got yourself a low-rider, but no one pimped your ride to scuff the street? That’s just one of the signs your car might need a new set of shocks or struts.
Up-to-snuff shock absorbers surely make our time spent on the road more pleasant by keeping the vehicle from bouncing, while struts ensure our ride is stable (not “floating” all over the road) and keep the tires stay planted on the pavement. When either are worn or compromised, the vehicle will be harder to control, will bounce more on bumps and potholes, will nose dive and will even take longer to stop.
The visual evidence of damaged or worn shocks and struts includes: shock- or strut-oil leakage; dented or damaged housings; and uneven tire wear or cupping.
Driving-related situations revealing faulty shock absorbers/struts include:
Because replacing shocks is easier than replacing struts, let’s focus on that task here. To replace your shocks, you’ll need:
Unlike simple tasks such as replacing headlights or a set of wiper blades, swapping out a set of struts can prove a dangerous undertaking. Here are a couple of tips taken from the detailed how-to directions for replacing shocks and struts from our NAPA Know How Blog:
Safety alert: Always use correct lifting procedures and properly torque all fasteners.
If you need help, you can always stop by Glenbrook Auto Parts or one of our affiliated NAPA Auto Care Centers for some professional advice or assistance. More adventurous or experienced DIY-ers might even want to upgrade their shocks for improved performance.
Whether you do-it-yourself or work with pros to replace your shocks and struts, you should also:
Remember, with Glenbrook Auto Parts in Glenview, you can save time by ordering your parts online and picking them up in the store. We’ll have them ready and waiting for you.