Your shocks and struts help keep you safe when you're out on the road. Your struts help you stop smoothly, which is especially important when the road is wet or slippery. It can be hard to know when your shocks and struts need to be replaced.
Tipping to One Side
When turning or going around a curve, your vehicle should stay straight. If you feel like your vehicle is leaning when you are turning, that means your shocks are worn out and that instead of staying straight, your vehicle is literally moving down to the ground in the direction you are turning. This can make your vehicle feel wobbly and off-balance and can result in a lack of control when turning.
Bouncing Tires
When you hit a bump in the road, you may feel it a little bit, but what you shouldn't experience is the feeling of your tires bouncing for an extended period. This can occur when your struts are worn down. You may also hear a clunking sound whenever you hit a small bump.
Strange Tire Wear
There are so many factors that impact the way that your tires wear down. One of those factors is your shocks and struts. If they are worn down, then your tires will not be making the right amount of contact with the road. This lack of consistent communication will develop a strand wear pattern in your tires. When your shocks are not working right, the wear pattern tends to be wavy instead of straight as it should be.
Instability When Driving Fast
When you drive fast, you want your vehicle to feel stable and in control. The last thing you want is to feel like your vehicle is moving up and down or isn't fully under your control. When your shocks and struts get worn down, that's what happens. Without the right support, you won't enjoy a smooth ride.
Suppose your vehicle doesn't feel like it is driving as smoothly as it once was, and you notice that it is tipping to one side when you turn, bouncing excessively with every bit of bump in the road, unstable at high speeds, and has strange tire wear. In that case, you need to get your vehicle checked out by a mechanic. More than likely, your struts and shocks are worn down and need to be replaced. When you replace your shocks and struts, be sure also to replace all the connected parts, such as the rubber shock boots and bump stops. You want your entire suspension system to be in good shape.
Contact an auto shop to learn more about replacing shocks and struts and about additional services like Nissan repair.
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