Most people don't know their shocks are bad until they are really bad. That is the tricky thing about shocks and struts. They wear out slowly over time and your brain adjusts to the way the car feels. By the time you notice something is wrong the shocks are usually pretty far gone.
So what does a bad shock actually feel like? The most common thing customers describe is the car feeling like a boat on the water after going over a bump. You hit the bump and the car just keeps rocking. A good shock absorber is supposed to stop that rocking after one bounce. If it takes two or three bounces to settle down, your shocks are telling you something.
Another thing you might feel is instability. Changing lanes at highway speed might feel a little nervous or hoppy. Hitting a bump mid-turn can make the car feel like it wants to go somewhere you didn't plan on going. That is your suspension not being controlled the way it should be.
What we see in the shop
When we put a car on the lift with bad shocks, one of the first things we look for is fluid running down the outside of the shock body. When a shock is done, the seal fails and the hydraulic fluid inside starts leaking out. If you see an oily film or streak running down the shock, that shock is finished.
We also look at the tires. Bad shocks cause a really specific wear pattern called diagonal wear. Instead of the tire wearing evenly across the tread, you will see worn patches at an angle across the face of the tire. That happens because the tire is bouncing and not staying in full contact with the road. It chews the tire up unevenly and it can also mean you need new tires sooner than you should.
Picking the right replacement matters
I learned this one firsthand on my own truck. I had twin tube shocks on it from the factory and the ride was comfortable. When it came time to replace them I decided to upgrade to Bilstein mono tube shocks. I figured if they were better quality I would get a better ride.
What I got was a truck that rides like a brick. I kind of regret it. When I have a full load in the bed or my snow plow on the front it handles really well, but around town on a normal day it is pretty stiff.
The point is that not all shocks are equal and not all shocks are right for every situation. A mono tube shock is a higher performing shock that is better suited for trucks that carry loads or vehicles that see more aggressive driving. A twin tube shock gives you a softer, more comfortable everyday ride. If you are replacing your shocks and ride comfort matters to you, make sure you are talking to someone who can help you pick the right one for how you actually use the vehicle. That conversation matters a lot more than most people realize.
If any of this sounds familiar and you want us to take a look, give us a call or make an appointment online. A shock inspection takes just a few minutes on the lift and we can tell you pretty quickly where things stand.
