Many have heard their mechanics talk about the shocks and struts needing to be replaced.  Yet, what exactly are these, and what are the signs that they need to be replaced.  First of all, not all vehicles have both shocks and struts.  The shocks are part of the overall suspension, and struts are a complete suspension assembly.  Shocks/ struts are responsible for aiding ride control and absorbing road shocks. If vehicles did not have these, or they were not working properly, the vehicle would be bouncing and bucking at every little bump, making the car impossible to control.  The shocks also help control by keeping the tires down on the road and not allowing them to bounce after hitting a bump. This helps out with cornering and handling.

There are signs of when your vehicle needs new shocks and/or struts.  It is very important to be aware of these, as bad parts equal unsafe driving conditions.  Things to notice are: If the front end dives down at a stop or the rear end go down at acceleration, if the car bounces up and down or sideways on a bumpy stretch, or if the vehicle seems to bottom out on a rough road.  Another sign to look for is abnormal wear on the tires.  The vehicle can not only be unsafe, it can damage other parts of the car, such as ball joints, springs, and CV joints.  Do not ignore any signs, it is best to at least have a mechanic take a look.