Look for oil on the shocks
Most suspension faults have to be felt or heard. One of the most common can simply be seen, with the vehicle parked and a flashlight.
Shock absorbers and struts are filled with oil. They work by forcing that oil through small passages as the wheel moves, which is what slows the bounce. When the seal at the top of the shaft wears, oil starts to escape. A little misting is normal on some designs. A shock body that is wet, dark and coated in dust stuck to oil is one that is losing what makes it work.
Turn the front wheels to one side for a better view of the front struts, and look behind the rear wheels for the rear shocks. Compare left and right. A shock that is clearly wetter than its partner on the same axle is the one to mention.
Other things you can check in the driveway
- Rubber that is cracked or torn around the shock, the springs or the steering joints. Those boots and bushings keep dirt out and noise down.
- One corner sitting lower than the others on level ground.
- A tire worn in patches around its circumference, which often follows a shock that has stopped controlling the wheel.
None of these needs tools. Write down what you saw and on which corner, and the inspection starts from there.
Replace in pairs
Shocks and struts are usually replaced in pairs on the same axle. A new one beside a worn one gives the two sides different control, and the vehicle can feel unsettled under braking and in corners. Ask about the pair when the quote is given.
Worn suspension also upsets car and light truck alignment, and a vehicle that does not settle leans harder on its brakes, both here. The national suspension repair page covers the other signs of worn parts.
About this store
The Tucson store runs seventeen services and is managed by Mark Laster.
See the national suspension repair page for all 34 locations.