Maintenance Tips
Your vehicle’s struts slowly deteriorate over time, though this wear is normally difficult to detect. Worn struts can also cause additional wear to other vehicle components. To maximize your vehicle’s ride comfort, it’s recommended to inspect your vehicle’s struts every year. Be sure to always refer to your vehicle Owner’s Manual for additional vehicle maintenance practices. Potential affected components may include ball joints and other suspension components, brakes, and tires. The following should be checked by a qualified technician:
- Leaking oil or wetness along the body of the shock or strut
- Broken mounts
- Broken, damaged, or missing mounting hardware
- Dented reservoir tube
- Bent or scratched piston rod
- Cupped tire wear
- Damaged spring seat, spring
FAQ
- Is there a difference between a shock and a strut? Yes. While shocks and struts perform a similar function, they vary greatly in their design. The major difference between shocks and struts is that a strut is a structural part of the vehicle’s suspension system, while a shock is not. A strut is also a crucial part of the vehicle’s steering system and greatly affects alignment angles. S
- hould I have my vehicle aligned after replacing my shocks or struts? You should have your vehicle aligned if you are replacing your vehicle’s struts. However, it’s not necessary to get your vehicle aligned when replacing your vehicle’s shocks unless there was a previous issue. D
- o I need different shocks or struts for front, rear, left, or right applications? Yes. It’s important to choose the correct shock or strut for your vehicle model and year, as well as for the location in the vehicle.
