The shocks and struts are vital components of the ability of your vehicle to run safely and smoothly. Like other car components, shocks and struts deteriorate and can sustain damage over time. This is a reason why routine car maintenance is crucial to keep your vehicle in good working condition.
What are shocks?
The hydraulic components of a vehicle are referred to as shock absorbers. Their primary function is to reduce the unnecessary movements produced by springs. Additionally, they absorb some of the bumps, jolts, and unevenness when driving on the road. It also reduces the impact of rough terrain and roads, thus providing you with excellent control of your vehicle.
What are struts?
The struts are structural components of the steering and suspension systems, with the inclusion of a spring and shock absorber. They are engineered to be stronger than shocks as they are weight bearing components that work by dampening a car’s joints to improve alignment and steering.
What happens when shocks and struts fail?
Worn out or damaged shocks and struts can impact the overall performance of your car. It is therefore important to have the struts and shocks checked out as part of your regular maintenance routine with a skilled auto mechanic in Sydney.
Common causes of Shocks and Struts Failures
Issues with shocks and struts result in added pressure to your car’s tyres that should be handled by the suspension. Uneven tread patterns on tyres are tell-tale signs of worn or damaged shocks and/or structs. When you see this sign on one or more tyres. It is imperative to bring your vehicle to a mechanic shop for a thorough inspection. Bear in mind that even brand-new tyres can suffer from bad shocks and struts; hence it is important to replace them as soon as possible to ensure that your tyres function as they should over time.
Poor steering control
Shocks and struts are responsible for “grabbing” the road as you drive; hence it is more challenging to steer your car when you have damaged ones. Damaged or worn shocks and struts will make it trickier to navigate corners and curves, and uneven pavement. If you suspect suspension issues, you will notice that your start will begin swaying while driving and be less responsive whenever you steer the wheel. Worn shocks and struts can make you feel that you are being pulled away in the opposite direction, resulting in more force exerted when turning the wheel. This bad steering practice leads to unnecessary pressure on your entire power steering system, which means the components will wear out faster.
Increased Risk for Accidents
As the suspension system is a crucial element to operate your vehicle safely, problems with shocks and struts can easily result in accidents. Worn out shocks and struts can affect related components, resulting in poor performance taking turns and corners, braking ability, prematurely worn tyres, and loss of control while driving on rough terrain on speed bumps on smooth pavement. Additionally, bad shocks and struts may also contribute to the premature damage of other vehicle components, making your vehicle more unsafe on the road. It is therefore important to have a routine check of your suspension system to ensure it is firing on all cylinders.
Tell-Tale Signs of Shock and Strut Failure
Leaking Fluid
If you notice fluid leaking out of your vehicle, this is probably a sign that something isn’t going smoothly in your suspension system. One common cause of leaking fluids is damage to your shocks or struts caused by debris, dirt, and other external factors that may have gotten inside the suspension system. Ideally, shocks and struts need hydraulic fluid to absorb the force of the road. Without sufficient fluid, your vehicle will roll away more easily.
Reduced Braking Ability
One of the primary purposes of shocks is to efficiently absorb the force of your vehicle as it travels, especially when you are braking. Brakes place force on the wheels to stop them while the suspension directs force to the rest of your vehicle. Shocks and struts that are in poor condition display a reduced ability to absorb the force and impact when a vehicle comes to a stop. Studies reveal that vehicles that drove on poorly functioning shocks and struts took an average of 11% longer to stop. In terms of highway speeds, this is almost equivalent to two car lengths, which can easily lead to unwanted accidents. Your car’s ability to stop promptly and efficiently is crucial for your safety and other motorists.
If you notice any of these signs of damaged or worn shocks, it is recommended to go to the Sydney auto shop to get the necessary replacements as soon as possible. At HP Automotive, we have a dedicated team that can help you in maintenance, including suspension and struts replacements at competitive rates. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call our direct line on 02 9979 8372.