Join the Belle Tire Advantage and Receive $20 off

50,000 Miles

That is how often you should change your shocks & struts

You probably don’t have a hard time figuring out when your brakes or tires are wearing out. Shocks and struts, on the other hand, are much more difficult to inspect. But just like tires and brakes, shocks and struts are safety-critical vehicle components that should be checked regularly for wear and tear. Your car relies on its suspension system; specifically shocks & struts too keep your vehicle riding smoothly and safely, and keep you comfortable. Like any other component on your vehicle, shocks and struts will wear out over time.

When is it time for new shocks or struts?

This simple worn shocks and struts tutorial demonstrates how they can make a noticeable difference to how your vehicle performs in three critical areas.

Steering: If you notice that your car is rolling much more than it used to as you go around corners (body roll), it’s probably time to check your shocks and struts. Excessive body roll affects you ability to safely steer around obstacles on the road.
Stopping: If you notice that your car dips excessively under braking, it’s probably time to check your shocks and struts. Worn shocks and struts allow too much weight to transfer to the front wheels which can dramatically increase stopping distances.
Stability: If your car is swaying, rolling in corners (body roll) or bouncing down the road when you hit bumps, it’s probably time to check your shocks and struts. All three symptoms can greatly reduce stability and your ability to safely control your vehicle. Worn shocks and struts are usually responsible for any or all of these conditions.

Shocks/struts have either a gas or liquid in them; as the seals wear out the fluid/gas leaks out and the shocks don’t do as good of a job at keeping the tires in contact with the road, causing them to wear out faster. Worn shocks and struts can also contribute to quicker wear on the other steering components of the vehicle.

When a strut is worn out a technician will look for “cupping” on the tire, which is a type of wear pattern associated with worn out shocks/struts. If you notice uneven wear on the treads of your tires, it's a safe bet that your shocks or struts are on their way out of commission. Or if your vehicle's front end dips excessively during sudden stops, your shocks or struts may need to be replaced.

How Belle Tire can help.

Belle Tire offers a full line of shocks and struts from Tenneco, the makers of Monroe, the #1 manufacturer of shock absorbers and ride control products. At Belle Tire, Our ASE Certified Technicians can help diagnose worn shocks and struts, and when needed, replace them quickly so you’re back on the road with a smoother, safer, ride.

Belle Tire Cares Blog Facebook Twitter YouTube