Smooth Operator (Shocks and Struts)
May 24, 2026
Few of us ever drive somewhere without encountering some pretty rough roads, and it's amazing how well our vehicles are able to smooth out the ride. Thank your shocks and struts.
The two parts are similar. Some cars have shocks in the rear, and struts in the front. Others have struts all around. A shock absorber uses a cylinder filled with gas or liquid that's connected to your vehicle's frame and axle. When your vehicle encounters an imperfection in the road, the shock dampens the motion.
A strut is essentially a shock absorber mounted inside a spring and can support more weight than a shock by itself.
Shocks and struts take a lot of punishment and wear out. When they do, your tires are not contacting the road as much as they should, and that can result in a bumpy, unstable ride. Worn-out shocks and struts also transfer the impacts of road imperfections directly to your vehicle's body which can cause further damage to other parts.
You can tell when your shocks and struts are wearing out when your vehicle's ride is bouncy, you feel the bumps and body motion a lot more than you used to, or you may see fluid leaking from the areas near the wheels.
How often your shocks and struts need replacing depends on what surfaces you drive on, how far they've traveled, and how long they've been on the vehicle. Our technicians can check the condition of your shocks and struts and advise you when they need to be changed. Shocks and struts should always be changed in pairs.
Because shocks and struts wear out gradually over a long time and distance, experts recommend you have them checked at least once a year. Plus, if you know you've recently hit something especially hard in the road, you should have your suspension checked just to make sure it's ok.
TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires
1735 N Main St
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
248-541-8300
www.tlcautocareroyaloak.com
Need Service?
More articles from TLC Auto Care
The Best Test
July 19, 2026
Would you buy a jacket without even trying it on? Probably not, but it might surprise you that one study shows about half the people buy a vehicle after a short test drive around the block or none at all. If you're in the market for another vehicle, make sure you check out the most important thi... More
Catching Trouble Early
July 12, 2026
Your vehicle depends on wheel bearings. Sitting between the wheels hub and axle, they allow your wheels to spin smoothly, bear the vehicles weight and work in harmony to stay aligned with other parts. Wheel bearings can fail in several ways, and they may send the driver some pretty clear clues... More
Don’t Ignore the Grind
July 5, 2026
Your wheel hub assembly is probably not one of those things on your vehicle you think about very often. In fact, you may not even have even heard of it. But its one of the most important components that keeps your vehicle stable, smooth and safe on the road. The hub assembly houses the wheel b... More