What Are Shocks vs Struts On A Vehicle?
Discover what shocks vs struts are on a vehicle at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston.
Struts and shocks play a critical role on your vehicle, but they are designed in entirely different ways. Both parts are essential to the suspension and how it handles the road underneath it. The right suspension system helps with the handling and ride quality of your car, so great struts and shocks can help create either a pillowy soft ride or a corner-carving monster, whatever you might desire. Shocks play a singular role in the suspension system by just absorbing any bumps in the road. While the struts also mitigate bumps from the road, they also have more of a structural role by supporting the vehicle chassis, especially when you are offroading. Both parts are there to ensure that each drive you take is as smooth as the last one, so making sure they are in good condition will help you a lot.
What Do Shocks Do On Your Vehicle?
Shocks control the movement of a car’s suspension for maximum performance, or more simply put, they absorb the bumps in the road for a smoother ride. Shock absorbers are important for your car because, when they fail, the vehicle won’t be able to handle most bumps. If you’re the risk-taking sort and love to drive on unpaved terrain, some great shocks can go a long way toward making sure you’re having a good time behind the wheel. On a sports car, drivers may want a stiff suspension for better handling, while a luxury car may look for a softer suspension for a comfortable ride.
What Do Struts Do On My Vehicle?
Struts perform two main functions on your car, first, like a shock, they help soften bumps in the road, but unlike shocks, they also provide structural support for the suspension. While each component is instrumental in each Sunday cruise taken in your car, struts have a larger role on the car. Upgraded struts are aimed to give your vehicle a firm performance when driving at high speeds, and struts on an SUV may be required to balance offroad characteristics while also giving you more control.
How Do I Know If My Shock Absorbers Are Bad?
The simplest way to identify if your struts are failing is if the vehicle doesn’t feel 100%. These small differences in performance can be noticeable if you’re paying attention. Little changes like your vehicle leaning too far while making a turn, your shocks bouncing more than usual, or issues with the handling can be some easy insights that your car may need suspension repair. So when you jump behind the wheel, take a second to evaluate any differences in the car’s performance, and when you feel like something is off, our knowledgeable technicians are here to help.
Schedule Service at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston
Stop by and see the professionals at Group 1 Ford of Southwest Houston for your next car service in Houston. You can meet with our service team and get your Ford assessed to make sure your vehicle is operating at its best. Visit us online or in person to schedule your appointment.
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