Signs of Worn-Out Shocks and Struts

If your ride’s starting to feel rougher than usual or your car leans hard into turns, your shocks or struts might be on their way out. These parts play a big role in how your vehicle handles, absorbs bumps, and stays stable on the road. When they wear down, things get uncomfortable (and potentially unsafe) fast.

Recognizing the signs early can help you avoid bigger, more expensive issues down the line. Here’s what to watch for if you think your shocks or struts are starting to fail:

Bumpy Ride

This is usually the first thing people notice. If your car feels like it’s bouncing over every little bump or pothole, your shocks may not be doing their job. They’re supposed to absorb road impact, not pass it on to your spine.

If the ride feels rougher than it used to, or your vehicle keeps bouncing after you hit a bump, that’s a classic sign of bad struts or shocks. It’s easy to ignore at first, but the worse it gets, the more strain it puts on the rest of your vehicle.

Nose Dives, Squats, and Body Roll

If your car dives forward when you brake, squats backward when you accelerate, or leans hard in turns, your suspension isn’t keeping things balanced anymore. Worn shocks and struts can’t manage weight shifts like they’re supposed to, so your vehicle sways and shifts more than it should.

Leaking Shocks

Your shocks and struts are filled with hydraulic fluid. If they’re leaking, they can’t cushion your ride or control your car’s movement the way they should. Look under your vehicle or around the wheel wells. If you see oily spots on the shocks or struts themselves, it's time for service.

Even if there’s no puddle on the ground, visible leaks on the component mean that the part is wearing out. Once the fluid goes, so does your control.

Uneven Tire Wear

Worn-out shocks or struts don’t keep your tires in proper contact with the road. That can lead to cupping, or uneven patches of wear that make the ride even noisier and rougher. You might also notice your vehicle pulling to one side or needing more frequent tire replacements.

If your tires are wearing out unevenly and you're keeping up with alignments and rotations, it's time to check your suspension. Otherwise, you’re throwing money at new tires without solving the root issue.

Ignoring Bad Shocks and Struts Will Cost You More Later

Bad struts don’t just make the ride rough. They can damage other parts of your suspension system, wear out tires faster, and even mess with your steering and braking. Waiting too long to replace them can turn a couple hundred dollars of maintenance into thousands in repairs.

And because these parts wear out slowly over time, many drivers don’t notice how bad things have gotten.

Keep Your Ride Safe and Smooth at Your Local GreatWater 360 Auto Care-Affiliated Shop

If your car’s bouncing more than usual, leaning hard in turns, or just feels off when you’re driving, don’t wait. Swing by your local shop in the GreatWater 360 Auto Care network and let one of our teammates take a look. We’ll check your shocks, struts, and everything in between to make sure your suspension’s in good shape.

Get ahead of the wear before it becomes a repair. Schedule your appointment today and get back to a smooth, safe ride.