Suspension
Shock Absorbers & Struts
Shock absorbers control spring movement so the tires stay in contact with the road.
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What it does
- Dampens spring oscillation after bumps
- Keeps tires planted for grip and braking
- Struts also carry the spring and wheel hub
When it fails
- Car bounces after a bump
- Nose dives under braking
- Pulls or wanders at speed
- Oil leaking from the shock body
How to diagnose
- Bounce test: push a corner down — it should settle in one bounce
- Check for oil streaks on the shock body
- Inspect the dust boot and bushings
Maintenance
- Replace in axle pairs
- Replace strut mounts and bearings at the same time
- An alignment is needed after strut replacement
Use the diagnosis order. When a part fails, confirm each hypothesis with measurements before replacing anything — codes and symptoms overlap.
Related part
Wheel Bearing
Wheel bearings let the wheel spin freely on the hub with minimal friction.