The suspension system in your vehicle does more than give you a smooth ride. It is actually a very important part of maintaining control of your vehicle by keeping the tires in contact with the road, especially when you hit bumps. It also keeps your vehicle from rolling when you turn corner. To assist with this task, your vehicle will be equipped with either shocks or struts. In this blog post, we will explain the difference between the two and how you can maintain your car, truck or van’s suspension system.
Your vehicle has either shocks or struts located at each wheel. Though they do the same basic job of lessening the movement of the spring and stopping back and forth and bouncy movements, they are completely different parts. You can’t replace a strut with a shock absorber and vice versa. The major difference between the two is that a strut is a structural part of the vehicle’s suspension system. A shock absorber is not.
A strut is crucial to vehicle alignment. In fact, camber and caster angles (measurements used to align your tires) are often adjusted right on the strut itself. A strut is also a pivot point for your car’s steering system. When replacing struts, a wheel alignment is always needed. On the other hand, shock absorbers are installed between the frame of the car and the wheels. When a car wheel encounters a bump in the road, the springs in your suspension system coil and uncoil. The energy of the spring is transferred to the shock absorber which dampens the amount of vibrations and motion
Maintaining your vehicle’s suspension system is vital to your safety. When a shock or strut needs to be replaced you may notice an increase in stopping distance, excessive bounce and more roll and sway in the body. You will also find there will be more wear on the tires and an increase in gas consumption. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should bring your vehicle to Luke’s Auto Service in Verona, New Jersey. Suspension system repairs are one of the many things our certified technicians can handle for you.
As an aside, control bushings are another important component of the suspension system. Installed on the front and rear of the vehicle, they help maintain proper wheel alignment. As it is with shocks or struts, the control bushings enhance safety by improving handling, cornering and control. Worn control arm bushings will create clunking noises during acceleration or braking and can cause uneven tire wear. You will know when you need to have shocks, struts, or control bushings replaced in your vehicle’s suspension…potholes in our New Jersey roads will tell you!
Suspension and steering systems are relatively dependable and trouble-free; however, there are a few things you should do to keep both in good working order.
- Lubrication – Fresh grease is pumped into the ball joints, tie-rod ends and other rotating parts of the steering system.
- Check the power steering fluid level – If you have to add power steering fluid, this is a sure indication that there is a problem with the steering system. You should have it checked right away.
- Regular inspection of the steering system components to identify potential problems.
- Regular wheel alignment.
It’s generally recommended to replace shocks and struts at around 50,000 miles. Experts also recommend that you replace all for shocks at the same time. As with anything related to your vehicle, regular maintenance is the best way to minimize major repair issues. When you bring your vehicle to Luke’s Auto Service, we will conduct a cursory inspection and will alert you to parts that should be replaced. With our complete auto repair shop in Verona, NJ, full suspension work can be handled quickly and expertly. Trust your suspension work to us and we will get you back driving on the roads with a lot less bump.