What Causes Shocks to go Bad?

Have you been noticing that your vehicle’s ride isn’t as comfortable as it once was? Possibly you keep bouncing as you go over potholes and bumps in the road. You’ve noticed that your car wants to lunge forward when you step on the brake pedal. You may wonder if the car struts, or shocks, are starting to go going bad.

So what causes shocks to go bad? Shocks will wear out over time in the normal course of driving as your vehicle accumulates mileage. However, if you are consistently driving over the bumpy street and hitting potholes and other obstacles in the road, they will wear out even more quickly than usual. When shocks go bad, the results can be dangerous, as it impacts the steering and stopping the performance of your vehicle. Replacing the shocks, or car struts, will improve stopping performance as well as increase the safety of your vehicle.

Here are a few issues to be aware of when your car struts or shocks are wearing out:

1. Excessive bouncing when hitting a bump or pothole.
2. Vehicle nosedives when braking or accelerating.
3. Tire "Cupping" as the rubber wears off the tire each time it hits the ground.
4. Leaking hydraulic fluid from inside the shock.

Any of the above signs look familiar? You don’t have to put up with these issues any longer than it takes to get your vehicle to an auto service center.

Wondering if the stability of your car axles is being compromised by bad shocks? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Cannon Auto Repair today for more information about transmission repair and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Cannon Falls, MN, and the surrounding areas.

Jan Udenberg

Owner – Cannon Auto Repair, Cannon Falls, MN

Jan Udenberg is the Owner of Cannon Auto Repair in Cannon Falls, MN. After an accomplished career as a Laboratory Technician at the Mayo Clinic, she retired in December 2022 and stepped into leadership after the passing of her husband, longtime owner Rich Udenberg. Jan has embraced the automotive industry with open arms—getting to know customers, learning the trade, and even bringing their dog Bear to the shop as the beloved four-legged greeter. She loves spending time with her grandkids and cherishing outdoor adventures like fishing, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling.

Learn More About Jan & Our Shop