Shocks and Struts Repair

Whether you need shock or strut replacement, C&M Auto Service Inc. is your one-stop shop for suspension services.

Regardless of the make or model, every vehicle is equipped with either a shock or a strut at each wheel—never both, and never neither.

Shocks and struts are fundamental parts of your vehicle’s suspension system. These vital suspension components help dampen the movement of your wheels to limit excessive swinging and bouncing.

Worn shocks or struts can compromise your ability to steer, maintain control, and bring the vehicle to a stop. Fortunately, C&M Auto Service Inc. offers an array of suspension repair services, including shock and strut replacement services. Contact us today for shock and strut repair in Morgan Hill, CA!

What Are Shocks or Shock Absorbers?

Shocks are critical hydraulic parts of your vehicle’s suspension system. Shocks house a piston inside a sealed tube filled with liquid or gas that buffers bumps. When pressure is applied, the gas or hydraulic fluid moves through several small holes to dampen bumps and jolts. Shocks mitigate the impact of uneven surfaces and rugged terrain while improving your driving experience and allowing you to maintain control.

What Are Struts?

Struts are vital weight-bearing parts of your steering system. The caster and camber angles are adjusted on the strut during wheel alignment. Because of this, the characteristics of your strut will significantly impact your vehicle’s alignment. The strut functions like a pivot point for your steering system and includes coil springs. Your vehicle would fall straight to the ground if it didn’t have them.

Signs Your Vehicle Needs Struts and Shock Auto Repair

Eventually, the struts and shocks on your vehicle will wear out. Most drivers replace their shocks and strut every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. However, if you regularly drive over uneven and rough roads or go offroading, you will need shock and strut replacement more often.

Fortunately, shocks and struts do not go out instantaneously. Instead, they will deteriorate over time. In the process, you may notice the following signs that your vehicle needs shock and strut replacement:

1. The front end of your vehicle dips or takes a nose dive when you brake.

5. Your tires wear abnormally or have noticeable flat areas.

2. Your vehicle continues to bounce after you hit a bump in the road, a pothole, or drive over rough terrain.

6. Your vehicle tips to one side when making turns.

3. The rear end dips whenever you accelerate.

7. You notice instability at highway speeds.

4. Your vehicle tends to sway whenever you go around corners.

8. Your vehicle leaks fluid on the outside of your struts or shocks.

1. The front end of your vehicle dips or takes a nose dive when you brake.

2. Your vehicle continues to bounce after you hit a bump in the road, a pothole, or drive over rough terrain.

3. The rear end dips whenever you accelerate.

4. Your vehicle tends to sway whenever you go around corners.

5. Your tires wear abnormally or have noticeable flat areas.

6. Your vehicle tips to one side when making turns.

7. You notice instability at highway speeds.

8. Your vehicle leaks fluid on the outside of your struts or shocks.

What Happens If I Don't Have Shock and Strut Replacement?

Failure to promptly replace shocks can cause more expensive repairs and place you and your family’s life in jeopardy. Here are a few potential outcomes of forgoing shock and strut replacement:

Reduced braking efficiency

Bad shocks and struts can have negative impacts on your ability to stop. For instance, it can cause your stopping distance to increase, which can be vital in an emergency braking situation. It can also make you more likely to skid on wet roads.

Loss of control and handling

Worn shocks and struts can hinder your ability to control and maneuver your vehicle. Over time, worn shocks and struts can lose their ability to control the transfer of weight, which is why you may feel a reduced sense of vehicle control. This can be dangerous especially when your tires no longer make contact with the pavement.

Expedited tire wear

When your shocks and struts need replacement, it can cause abnormal and faster tire wear. On one hand, you’ll have to replace your tires sooner, which is an added expense. More importantly, this can create a dangerous safety issue on wet roads. Abnormal tire wear is directly related to the increased risk of hydroplaning.

Increased wear and tear on other suspension parts

Your struts and shocks don’t operate in a bubble. Instead, they’re connected to other suspension parts and your braking system. Worn shocks and struts can cause excess movement in other suspension parts. This can increase the wear and tear, causing other parts to wear faster, and leading to extra repair expenses.

Reduced braking efficiency

Bad shocks and struts can have negative impacts on your ability to stop. For instance, it can cause your stopping distance to increase, which can be vital in an emergency braking situation. It can also make you more likely to skid on wet roads.

Loss of control and handling

Worn shocks and struts can hinder your ability to control and maneuver your vehicle. Over time, worn shocks and struts can lose their ability to control the transfer of weight, which is why you may feel a reduced sense of vehicle control. This can be dangerous especially when your tires no longer make contact with the pavement.

Expedited tire wear

When your shocks and struts need replacement, it can cause abnormal and faster tire wear. On one hand, you’ll have to replace your tires sooner, which is an added expense. More importantly, this can create a dangerous safety issue on wet roads. Abnormal tire wear is directly related to the increased risk of hydroplaning.

Increased wear and tear on other suspension parts

Your struts and shocks don’t operate in a bubble. Instead, they’re connected to other suspension parts and your braking system. Worn shocks and struts can cause excess movement in other suspension parts. This can increase the wear and tear, causing other parts to wear faster, and leading to extra repair expenses.

Contact C&M Auto Service Inc. for Shock and Struts Auto Repair

If you notice any abnormal suspension performance, it’s critical to have a vehicle inspection as soon as possible. Simply put, you have too much riding on your shocks and struts to risk it. Fortunately, C&M Auto Service Inc. makes shock and strut replacement as easy and hassle-free as possible. Contact C&M Auto Service Inc. today for shock and strut replacement and repair.

Call us at (408) 778-8218, visit us at 16169 Caputo Dr. in Morgan Hill, CA, or complete our online contact form.

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