How Long Do Shocks And Struts Last? | Informative Guide

The shocks and struts in the vehicle's suspension system keep it balanced while driving. They are responsible for providing you with a comfortable ride. The shock absorbers are much reliable than other vehicle parts, but they still need replacement.

Most vehicle owners don't understand the danger of moving with nasty front shocks. The damaged ones can increase your car's stopping distance leading to accidents.

You might be wondering how long do shocks and struts last and when to replace the shocks? There is no hard and fast rule regarding the average life of the shock. It depends on the care that you provide to your vehicle. Generally, the shock absorbers or struts of a well-maintained automobile long for 5-7 years or 50,000-100,000 miles.

What are the shocks and struts on a car?

Both shocks and struts are the part of car's suspension to resists the shocks. Both of them help stabilize the movement of your automotive. As a result, the shock absorber allows you to control your vehicle while turning, braking, or accelerating on uneven road surfaces.

Many people consider both these terms the same. But, both are different in reality. In modern vehicles, struts are present on the front and shocks on the rear wheels. Another difference is that the replacement shocks are the independent components, while struts work in collaboration with shock.

However, both are integral components of your car. Without them, your vehicle will bounce on the rough roads and you will face bumpy ride.

How long do shocks and strut last?

There is not a clear answer for when to replace the shocks and struts. Actually, their life depends on many factors. Some of these factors are how frequently you're using your auto and the road condition where you're driving?

If you're driving just a few miles a day, definitely shock absorber will stay longer. Moreover, running on a smoother road with decent speed and less weight can guarantee the longer life of car struts.

Generally, the shock absorbers of a well-maintained van last for 10 years. However, if you're using the car too much, you may have to replace your car struts in 5 years. You can also say that 5-7 years is the maximum life of most shocks or struts.

Experts suggest replacing both the shocks and struts every 50,000-10,000 miles when discussing the same in miles.

Usually, both the right and left shocks wear down at the same rate. So, there are chances that you need to replace shocks on both sides.

6 Warning Signs of Bad Shocks and Struts

Many people are not well-aware of their bad struts. It may lead to long-term damage. But how would you realize that the car's suspension system are problematic? Following are some warning signs that clearly indicate bad shocks.

1. Instability

Instability and jerky movement is perhaps the most common sign of suspension damage. While running on the highway, your SUV will never move smoothly. You'll feel that your vehicle is unstable and making jerky movements.

2. Leaks

Worn struts mostly notice fluid leak. You can check easily if they are leaking or not with a flashlight. While viewing the suspension system, find the answer to these simple questions.

● Is fluid leaking onto the bottom part of the shocks?

● Do you see any splash of fluid?

If the answer to both the questions is "yes," it indicates your car's shocks need to be replaced. But be aware of the scammers who pour oil to show you oily parts.

3. Control loss

Another sign that is obvious in case of bad struts is loss of control. While turning the car, if your vehicle is not stable, it means it's time for strut replacements.

To be clear about the strut damage, just take a sharp one-side turn with your vehicle. You will feel that your Sedan leans towards the one side. It means your car's struts get failed to stable your vehicle and need to be replaced as soon as possible.

4. Vibrating Steering wheel

While driving, a vibrating steering wheel or poor steering response indicates that the wheels are unbalanced. The unbalanced wheel denotes your van got worn out struts.

5. The situation of tires

The bad shock absorbers make the tires bounce excessively. You may also hear a clunking noise after hitting the bump.

Besides, uneven tread wear is another sign associated the bad tires. You would see that your car's tires are wearing in a wavy manner.

6. Braking Issue

Most importantly, you can never ignore the sign of a bad break experience. With damaged suspension, you would feel that your car is getting unstable while braking.

What to consider while replacing the shocks?

You can't just go and buy any struts or shocks. To buy the best shock absorbers, consider the following things:

● Firstly, make sure you're buying from the trusted brands.

● Secondly, ensure that shocks are not stiffer. Otherwise, you'll not get a comfortable journey.

● Lastly, ask your auto professional if you need to buy the connected parts of the struts. Maybe you also need to replace shocks or replace the worn mounts and shock boots. You can also ask the strut life duration.

Final thoughts…!!!

To sum up, you can't find a clear answer to how long do the shocks and struts last. It's totally up to you for how long do struts last. If you're taking care of your vehicle and driving only a few miles a day, you can expect car struts with longer life. However, I would suggest you never ignore the warning signs of the bad shocks and replace them as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may have to bear severe consequences.