The shock absorbers and struts of your vehicle are there to protect you and the car from any effect of external shock by absorbing all the shocks. They ensure that the tires stay on the ground for safe traction and driving claimed Volkswagen service. These struts and shock absorbers also prevent the car from touching the ground when it passes over obstacles like a bump or a pothole, and they also provide optimum stability while you turn your vehicle to avoid an obstacle.
How do shock absorbers and struts work?
Each wheel comes with a strut or shock absorber with which it gets connects to the car’s suspension system and frame. Shocks and struts support the vehicle weight and provide resistance from top to bottom and from one side to the other. It minimises bouncing, vibration or even sway while ensuring maximum stability. There is, however, a difference between a shock and a strut. This difference lies in the fact that a shock has coiled springs outside of it, while a strut contains its spring inside the assembly.
While the struts and shocks are two unique types of suspension, they both have the same function, and that is to nullify the movement of the spring. While the spring absorbs all of the external forces from bumps, potholes, or rough roads, the strut or shock absorber prevents the impact on the vehicle and keeps the car on the ground without any problem.
Like all the parts of the vehicle, shocks and struts tend to wear out it is essential to check your car to know when it is time to repair your shock absorbers or struts.
When to pay attention to your struts and shocks?
Notice any unusual noise
These struts or shock absorbers are cushioned with rubber bushings, and they wear out over time. When it goes worn out, it causes some banging or rattling noise as you drive your car over a bump or pothole. The noise generated by shocks or struts is because they are broken or worn out.
Resulting in dropping the control and stability of the vehicle
When the struts or shock absorbers are worn out, it is difficult to control the car. The car can also tilt as you’re turning to one side. When the vehicle is over bumps or small potholes. Or when the road conditions are not perfect, driving a car with a worn-out shock absorber or strut becomes difficult and even uncomfortable.
The steering response goes bad
If you have to continuously adjust your steering to keep your vehicle driving in a straight direction, it could be a sign your strut or shock is worn out. It causes your steering response to be slower, and it is risky to drive.
Tire wear and tear
You could be experiencing tire wear and tear, and this is one of the most popular symptoms of an abnormal or faulty strut or shock. The pattern of this wear is similar to those of scalloping or cups where there is thread appearing round over the circumference. It is due to the wearing away of struts or shocks which will result in rapid wear outs of tires.
All of these and more are signs you have to pay attention to your strut and shocks.