Good ride control depends on the condition of the shock absorbers and struts. Motorists expect better handling performance and ride quality in today's cars, and may notice subtle changes in ride control. With SUVs, the situation is the same. Motorists want a boulevard-like ride, which isn't always what they get since these are essentially trucks.

RIDE CONTROL TEST DRIVE
A test drive in a vehicle (if is not your own) is probably the best way to feel a ride control problem firsthand. What some people may describe as a shimmy, vibration or bouncy ride may have nothing whatsoever to do with shock absorbers or struts. The real problem may be an out-of-balance wheel, bent rim or too much runout in a tire.

It is also important to remember that the suspension and steering are interconnected systems. Problems with one can often affect the other. A weak shock absorber, for example, may do little to dampen bumps, allowing excessive feedback through the steering linkage to the driver. The vehicle may feel like it has a steering problem when in fact the real problem is poor ride control. Likewise, the steering may feel stiff and be slow to return, but the real problem may not be the steering but a bad upper bearing on the front struts.

If you road test the vehicle, note the following during your drive:

How does the vehicle ride on a rough road?

How does the suspension take tar strips and bumps?

Is steering effort and return normal?

How does the steering feel after hitting a bump?

Does the body lean or sway when cornering?

Does the vehicle nose dive when you hit the brakes?

Does it squat when accelerating?

Are there any unusual noises?

Either before or after your test drive, measure and compare ride height at all four corners. More than half an inch difference side to side indicates weak springs or another suspension problem. Better yet, compare the vehicle's measured ride height to the specs in a reference manual. If ride height is at or less than the minimum specified, the springs may be sagging.

BOUNCE TEST
Before you visually inspect the suspension, do a simple bounce test to tell if the shocks or struts are weak. A bounce test is not a very scientific test because it requires a certain amount of judgment. Worn shock absorbers and struts that allow more than one or two gyrations after rocking the bumper up and down and letting go have reached the end of the road and should be replaced. But what about the "marginal" dampers that still soak up some of the bounce, but not as well as new ones? They should probably be replaced, too, to restore like-new handling and ride control.

DO THE SHOCKS REALLY NEED TO BE REPLACED?
Some motorists are overly paranoid about being ripped off and won't believe anything a technician says regardless of how true it might be. Unless they can see a broken part, convincing them a set of worn shocks or struts should be replaced may be difficult.

For this reason, the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) has taken a conservative approach on the issue of replacing shocks and struts. The MAP Uniform Inspections Guidelines say shock and strut replacement should not depend on a vehicle's mileage or whether the shock absorbers or struts failed a bounce test. The guidelines say replacement is required only if a shock or strut piston rod is bent or damaged, if it has broken, damaged or missing mounting hardware, is binding or seized, is severely corroded to the point where it is weakened (struts only), is missing, or has oil "running down the body."

Because of this, new shock absorbers and struts are often sold as ride control upgrade products rather than repair or replacement parts. This allows anyone who is unhappy with the way their vehicle rides or handles to buy new shocks or struts without feeling they have been sold something they may not really need.

Because the dampening characteristics of shocks deteriorate gradually over time, the decline in ride control may pass unnoticed. That is why the shocks and struts need to be inspected periodically, and if possible, subjected to a road test to see if they are still capable of doing an adequate job.

Click To See the Shocking Truth About Ride Control
WHY PEOPLE BUY NEW SHOCK ABSORBERS AND STRUTS
According to one consumer survey by Monroe, 70 percent of people think the primary function of shocks and struts is to provide a comfortable ride. Consequently, replacement is seen as a low priority. Only 21 percent of the people surveyed recognized the fact that new shocks and struts can improve handling and ride control.

However, 56 percent of the respondents said the most compelling reason for replacing shocks and struts is to improve vehicle safety, handling and control. The safety aspect of ride control usually does not receive much attention because few people realize its importance. But the condition of the shocks and struts does affect driving safety.

Tests carried out by the Cologne Institute for Traffic Safety in Switzerland found that marginal shocks (50 percent less dampening ability than new shocks) increased the distance it took to stop the vehicle by 21 feet at 31 mph, a 23 percent increase! This occurred because the worn shocks allowed the wheels to hop rather than maintain good contact with the road surface. In other tests, they found that braking while cornering on slick roads with worn shocks could make a vehicle lose control.

Another reason to replace weak shocks and struts is to prolong tire life and the life of other suspension components. Uncontrolled suspension gyrations cause constant changes in camber and toe. This scrubs rubber off the tires and accelerates tire wear. It also increases motion and friction in the ball joints, tie rods and control arm bushings too, which over time adds up to wear.

SHOCK REPLACEMENT OPTIONS
Worn shocks and struts can be replaced with a variety of standard or upgrade options. Heavy-duty shocks and struts generally have a larger piston bore and are a good upgrade option for trucks and SUVs used for towing. Premium gas-charged shock absorbers and struts can make a noticeable improvement in handling and cornering on vehicles that are not originally equipped with such units. For this reason, gas dampers should be recommended for all applications. Special high-pressure gas struts and mono-tube and dual-tube shocks are also available for drivers who want the ultimate in handling performance. Adjustable dampers as well as electronic shocks and struts are also available for applications that require these types of units.

SHOCK ABSORBER and STRUT INSTALLATION TIPS
Most shocks are fairly easy to replace, but some struts can be tricky. On older import vehicles that have cartridge-style struts, it's not always necessary to completely remove the struts to replace the cartridges. Most such applications have enough clearance to allow the top of the strut to be swung out from under the fender once the upper mount is unbolted. On some, though, you will need a special spanner wrench or pipe wrench to remove the body nut from the strut. On others, you can replace the cartridge from above with the strut in place once the upper bearing plate has been removed.

When installing a new cartridge in a rebuildable strut, about three ounces of ATF must be poured into the strut housing to aid heat transfer from the cartridge. Also, follow the installation instructions regarding the use of spacers or washers under the body nut on rebuildable struts. Differences in height among replacement cartridges make the use of such spacers necessary.

Replacing the struts usually requires realigning the wheels after the new struts have been installed. You can save yourself some work by marking the position of the camber bolts and upper strut mounts before loosening anything. This helps maintain approximate wheel alignment and should lessen the amount of adjustment that is needed.

If brake lines have to be opened to disconnect them from the struts during strut replacement (cutting the brake line mounting ear can sometimes make this necessary), you will have to bleed the brakes afterward.

Always follow standard safety precautions when using a spring compressor (use the correct type of compressor for the application, making sure that the spring is held securely and that the spring is not overcompressed). Also, make sure the spring is properly positioned and seated before the compressor is released. Some auto parts stores can disassemble the original struts for you if you do not have the proper spring compressor. Another option is to buy a "Quick Strut" that is preassembled and ready to install.

When replacing struts, pay close attention to the condition of the upper bearing plates. These support the weight of the vehicle, and are often in poor condition. A bad bearing plate can cause steering stiffness, noise and poor steering return (memory steer). Do not reuse the bearing plate unless they are in perfect condition.