Tires Rely on Shock and Strut Performance
Posted: Monday, February 01, 2010
by Wally Koster
It's easy to notice if your tires have uneven or excessive tread wear, spot a tell-tale coolant leak under your car or hear that grinding sound that tells you your brake pads need replacement. Shocks and struts are different.
Like other important vehicle systems, they do wear out over time, but often so gradually you don't even notice. They're also more difficult to inspect. But, because they're an important part of your car's suspension system, your shocks and struts should be inspected for wear and tear at least twice a year. And, you can depend on your local Michigan or Ohio tire store to have ASE Certified Technicians with the training, tools and quality replacement shocks and struts from Tenneco to do the job right.
Most suspension systems have three primary components: coil springs, anti-sway bars and shocks or struts. Coil springs support most of the weight of the vehicle, maintain proper ride height and also help resist pitch and dip when you accelerate or stop. Anti-roll bars, sometimes called anti-sway bars, connect the left and right suspension systems to the frame and help resist sway or body roll during cornering.
A shock absorber, also called a damper, is an oil or gas filled tube that helps the coil springs and anti-roll-bars work more effectively by preventing unwanted motion in the suspension system. It converts kinetic energy created by the up and down motion of the tires into heat energy by forcing fluid or gas through a series of control valves inside itself. A strut is a single, self contained unit that integrates a shock absorber within a coil spring. In addition to absorbing road shock, noise and vibration, shocks or struts play an important role in keeping your tires firmly planted to the road every time you accelerate, stop, corner or hit a bump.
When is it Time for New Shocks and Struts?
Most vehicle owner manuals recommend frequent shock and strut inspection and replacement every 50,000 miles, depending on your personal driving habits. However, any of the following warning signs can tell you if your shocks and struts might need replacement.
- Pitching or dipping Coil springs can't do it all. If you experience excessive pitching or dipping whenever you accelerate or stop, your shocks or struts may need replacement.
- Body roll Anti-roll or sway bars also can't do it all. If you experience excessive body roll as you go around corners, it's time to check your shocks or struts.
- Tire bounce or hop If your tires bounce, hop or lose contact with the road after you hit a bump, it's a sign your shocks or struts may need replacement.
- Fluid leaks As shocks or struts wear, the seals that contain the fluid or gas inside them can begin to leak. Streaks of fluid that look like tears on the outside of the shock or strut tube are a sure sign of a fluid leak.
- Excessive tire wear Cupping is a type of excessive tire wear associated with worn out shocks or struts. If you see a diagonal wear pattern across the tread of a tire, worn-out shocks or struts may be the problem.
Why spend your time bouncing through even minor bumps in the road, swaying through corners and replacing your tires more frequently then you should? Visit your local Ohio or Michigan tire store and have an ASE Certified Technician inspect and replace your shocks or struts if necessary. You'll not only enjoy a smoother more comfortable ride, you'll also maximize the performance and tread life of your tires.
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More commentsHi Wally. Great article, great advice. Thank you for sharing this valuable information.All the best to you and yours,Nenita
Wally, thank you for sharing this information about shocks and struts. I didn't realize how important struts were. It amazes me how everything in a car works together. Thanks again
Wally,Excellent article. I did not know about shocks and structs. This is an article everyone should see especially for safety.Michael
Great article Wally. Having lived in MI for a couple of years, I can truly appreciate how important shocks/struts are...after all MI's idea of filling pot holes is to put a mound of asphalt and let traffice pound it down!
Hello Wally,For someone who doesn't know much about cars, your article sheds light on a topic that I often depend on others to maintain! But, I am appreciative of your insight. Great article!
Wally,I do like you article,I do not live in Michigan or Ohio, but it is a good information to be apply anywhere in the country.
An informative article that may keep you safe in the long run.
Thanks for sharing the information on struts and shocks. It is helpful information.
Great article Wally! I just got the shocks on the front section of my car cause i was experiencing lots of boy roll and a rather bumpy ride. your article was truly an eye opener! Good going!
This author clearly expresses an interest and values the importance of safe tires.
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