If you’ve noticed your ride has suddenly become bouncier than normal, you might have worn shocks and struts. Generally, the expected lifespan of shocks is 50,000 miles to 100,000 miles. Struts usually last between 60,000 miles and 100,000 miles. You can test your shocks and struts to see if they appear to be worn. There are a few ways to do so, and we explain the methods below.
Driving Bounce Test
Exercise extreme caution with this first bounce test. Because the shock absorbers and struts are responsible for absorbing your vehicle’s bounce, whether caused by the road or by motion, you can test their effectiveness by stressing them out a little bit. Find an empty parking lot – make sure it’s clear – and then from a resting position, step hard on the accelerator and then slam on the brakes. Notice your vehicle’s movement during the test. If the nose dives forward, your front shocks or struts could be worn. If the rear of your automobile bounces, there’s a problem with the rear shocks or struts.
Manual Bounce Test
Get ready to use your muscles or enlist some help for the second bounce test. Go to a corner of your car, truck, or utility vehicle and press down hard. Make sure you push the body down a few inches. Let go and count how many times your vehicle bounces back up. If it only bounces once and settles into a staid position, the shock or strut on that wheel is fine. If it bounces more than twice, the shock or strut is worn. Do the same test on all four corners of your automobile to test each wheel.
Visual Inspection
Finally, get down on the ground and visually inspect each shock or strut. You’ll find the shock or strut underneath the wheel well at the top. Look for visible signs of wear, tear, or damage. Use a flashlight or the light on your smartphone to help you see the parts. What you should see is a smooth, straight, and clean shock or strut. If you see dents, bends, or oil, you’ve got a problem. While you’re down there give your tires a good look, too, to make sure they aren’t bald or have patchy tire tread wear.
If there is any problem, call us or stop by our auto service shop on Baltimore Boulevard. We’ll inspect your shocks and struts and change them if necessary.
