Here are some of the signs that you may need to replace your shocks or struts.  Does your car “nose dive” when you come to a sharp stop? Does your ride seem a little bumpy or shaky? When you turn left or right, does your car lean or sway a little too much? If they do, then you may need to have your shocks or struts looked at. But read on and I’ll tell you how to avoid getting ripped off with unneeded repairs when all you really may need is new shocks or struts.

How Do You Know if You Need New Shocks or Struts?

Shock absorbers or struts are mounted between your wheel assembly and your cars frame to absorb “shock” from the road so you experience a smooth and comfortable ride.  They are metal tubes that contain oil and have valves inside to regulate the flow internally and thus your cars suspension. They are not easy to see on a car as they are behind the tires and wheels. If you can see them, obviously there shouldn’t be any oil leaking out from them.

So what else can you do? You could try the “bounce test”.  Move to the corner your car near any wheel well and push down on the fender or bumper as hard as you can, then quickly let go of the car. If the car “bounces” up and down or doesn’t return immediately to it’s stable position, it could mean that you need replacements. Other than that, it’s sometimes been suggested that they be changed at 50,000, but I’m not one to fix something if it’s not broken. I’m trained to be able to tell and I can tell you it’s not common to replace them as many times as the franchise car repair places will tell you to.

If your ride is bumpy and your uncomfortable, I’ll check them out for you. I just want to make sure that it’s not something “else” causing the problem that’s much less expensive to replace.

Don’t Get Ripped Off With Unneeded Repairs

Shocks and struts, in fact anything to do with the cars suspension are one of the most frequently “scammed” areas of your car.  Ball joints, CV-joints, shocks, struts, wheel bearings, are targets for “upselling” you into repairs that you may not need.  The truth is that there are many things that can cause your vehicle to not handle right and shocks is NOT the first place to look. Be wary of getting a list of “D” all of the above and the high costs associated with repair and replacement of all of them.

Why Use John’s Quality Automotive?

Because I treat all my customers as I would my own family. I refuse to “upsell” or even “sell” anyone on repairs or parts they just don’t need or that they don’t need right now.  I’ll be happy to look your car over, tell you what needs to be fixed, what can wait and what’s nonsense to fix in the first place. What goes around comes around and I believe that if you treat people the way you want to be treated then good things will come to you. It’s something I’ve lived by for over 25 years as a mechanic and owner of John’s Quality Automotive, Inc. Come by the shop and say hello. Let me give you a second opinion on your repairs.  I can usually save you up to 50% off what you’d pay at a car dealer or big name franchise car repair place. I have a 12 month, 12,000 guarantee on all my repairs.