How To Test Your Shocks

shocks

Ride quality is an essential part of your driving experience. At Dale's Auto Repair in Baton Rouge, we strive to keep your car, truck, or SUV as smooth and comfortable to drive as the day it came off the lot. Your shock absorbers play a huge role in ride quality; here’s what you should know.

Shock absorbers are hydraulic or gas filled cylinders, fitted at all four wheels on your car. The springs suspend the vehicle and allow it to bounce over terrain as you drive down the road. However, springs alone are not enough. Think about a jack-in-the-box...when it pops, the weight on the spring continues to bounce up and down, under the weight of the load on the spring. A car with no shock absorbers does the same thing. Shock absorbers prevent the weight of the car from compressing the spring too much, keep the spring from decompressing too quickly, and ensure the car doesn’t continue bouncing up and down after encountering a change in terrain.

It’s possible you have one or more failed shock absorbers, and don’t realize it. They usually fail slowly, and over time you don’t notice how poor your ride quality has become. Hold on to something on the front of the car, and try to bounce it up and down...the car should resist nearly all of your attempt at bouncing it, and settle immediately when you stop. Try the same on the back of the car. Then, try an area near each individual wheel. If you feel a difference or notice excessive bounce, there’s at least one bad shock absorber.

This test doesn’t always work, so if you still think your car isn’t riding as well as it should, have it inspected next time you come in for an oil change. Our expert mechanics will have your car riding like new again in no time. For the best auto repair and maintenance shop in Baton Rouge, call or stop by Dale's Auto Repair, for all your service needs.



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Thank you for visiting Dale's Auto Repair in Baton Rouge, LA. Count on our automotive repair technicians to keep your car, truck, suv, or van on the roads longer and safer.

Schedule your appointment today (225) 274-0702 or REQUEST APPOINTMENT HERE.

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Dale's Auto Repair

11353 Greenwell Springs Rd, Ste B
Baton Rouge, LA 70814

location small (225) 274-0702

SHOP HOURS

Mon - Thurs: 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday: 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Saturday: CLOSED

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