Shock and Strut Replacement Service

Shocks and Struts Service at Stanley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Gilmer

Shocks and struts play a key role in your vehicle handling. As part of your suspension system, their primary job is to ensure all four wheels stay in contact with the road for a smooth and balanced ride around Gilmer, Longview, and Tyler. Driving with faulty or blown shocks and struts can be dangerous. At Stanley Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Gilmer, we recommend you have your shocks and struts inspected to ensure your vehicle maintains optimal handling characteristics. Our staff can inspect your shocks and struts to ensure they are functioning properly and replace defective components when necessary.

How Struts and Shocks Work

Your vehicle’s suspension includes a set of springs designed to absorb impact from the road. The struts support the springs, and the shock absorbers absorb force and movement in the springs. These components work in unison to keep your vehicle under control and smooth out the handling when you drive across bumps, debris, or rough surfaces.
Properly maintained shocks and struts are vital to your vehicle’s control and handling abilities. If the system is not functioning properly, a pothole, uneven pavement, or even loose gravel can be hazardous, causing the wheels to bounce and lose contact with the road's surface. This could cause a loss of control and a collision.

Replacing Shocks and Struts on Your Vehicle

Having your shocks and struts serviced on a regular basis is very important. Faulty shocks or struts compromise your vehicle's safety and stability. Our team of certified mechanics has provided a list of symptoms to watch out for. If you notice any of the symptoms listed below, we highly recommend you bring your vehicle in for servicing.

Symptoms of Shock and Struts Damage

The following symptoms will be noticeable while driving your vehicle.

• Too much bounce: You notice your car seems to bounce when it contacts a bump or pothole in the road.
• Front end dips: When you apply the brake, you notice the nose of your vehicle seems to dip suddenly.
• Swaying while cornering: Your vehicle leans heavily or sways during cornering or when changing lanes.
• No bounce: If you notice the suspension feels stiff while driving or you experience hard impacts when driving over small bumps, the shock absorbers aren't doing their job and need to be inspected.
• Bad steering: Poor steering response or noise while turning the steering wheel.
• Poor stability at high speed: Your vehicle feels unstable, and you feel like you could lose control at any point while driving at high speeds.

Visual Signs You Might Notice

The following visible signs can hint at a possible problem with your shocks or struts.

• Uneven tire wear: Your tires show flat areas or are worn down unevenly.
• Leaks: If there are visible signs of fluid leaking from your shocks, have them checked.
• Visible damage: Any noticeable damage to the shocks or struts, including dents and cracks in the housing or broken or corroded bushings and mounts, needs to be addressed.

It’s always best to consult your owner's manual and follow its guidelines for scheduled maintenance, or you can give our service department a call and find out what the professionals recommend for your vehicle.