Acura Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly

If the wheels of your Acura were not on the road all the time, the vehicle would be very hard to control. Keeping the wheels in contact with the pavement is the job of the suspension system, and the Acura shocks play an important role in that system. When the vehicle hits a bump, the suspension system applies pressure in the opposite direction, and the springs play the biggest role in this action. The springs, however, tend to keep moving, but the job of the Acura shocks is to slow the springs down. They do this by compressing hydraulic oil, and transforming the energy of the moving suspension into heat energy. When the oil in the Acura shocks is compressed, the molecules are forced close together, and the friction between them exits as heat. When the two chambers of oil go through the alternating compression process, and finally equalize in pressure, the motion of the suspension is stopped. There are several reasons to replace the Acura shocks in your vehicle. If yours have failed, you can find stock-style replacements in our online catalog, for a great price. If you have a custom vehicle, and would like to upgrade your Acura shocks, we will also carry custom versions for many vehicles. For a stiffer ride, Acura shocks with more resistance to motion can provide better cornering ability and better control at high speeds. For vehicles with custom ride heights, we have longer and shorter versions as well. They are all made to high quality standards and come with a full warranty. Any of our Acura shocks can be ordered with a quick, toll-free phone call, or through our secure online ordering system.

The shock and strut assembly fills in a huge role in keeping the ride as smooth as possible. As an essential part of the suspension system, keeping the shocks and struts in great shape is crucial for vehicle control. When these wear out after some time, the failure can lead to compromising situations on the road. This will affect vehicle stability and driver control as well as braking performance-the vehicle can have a longer stopping distance. To figure out if your Acura shock absorber and strut assembly is wearing out, check out these diagnostic hints and some troubleshooting tips:

Excessive bouncing

When driving over a bump or rough patches of the road, the shock and strut assembly should prevent extremely bumpy drives. It helps dampen the impact from the road, keeping the vehicle from bouncing excessively. If the ride becomes bouncier or bumpier than usual, this is a sign that the assembly is failing. You should be checking on your shocks/struts.

Nose dives and rear end squats

The shocks and struts help maintain vehicle control by keeping the car steady as it brakes, accelerates, and turns. If the front end of the vehicle dives when you hit the brakes, this can be an indication of shock/strut wear. Or, if the vehicle squats as the vehicle speeds up or it dips to a side as it turns, the shocks/struts must be checked for impending failure.

Uneven tire wear

If the shocks or struts are bad, the tires will take the beating as well from the bouncy ride. Some bits of rubber can be scraped off of the tires, leading to cupping or scalloping. The tires will suffer from uneven wear instead of having a consistent tread wear pattern across since the forces aren't dampened effective and the load isn't absorbed as it should.

Fluid leak

The shock and strut assembly compresses when the vehicle is driven over a bump or goes through pot holes and uneven road surface. The piston is then pushed against the hydraulic fluid that absorbs the force. Fluid leaks aren't always a cause for concern. But if the small wet spot on shocks/struts turns into something wet and oily, then it may be time to check the assembly.

Noises when driving over bumps

The strange sounds you hear, which may be described as knocking, when the vehicle goes over bumps or pot holes on the road can be a hint to shock/strut assembly wear. Don't ignore them. Have your suspension system checked.

Troubleshooting tips

Consider the vehicle's mileage. The vehicle might be up for shock and strut assembly replacement for maintenance. Take note of any significant changes or irregularities when driving the vehicle such as excessive roll or sway, aside from dips, squats, and dives. The shocks and struts might be performing poorly due to internal wear. Excessive movement of the suspension can cause handling issues and premature wear on other suspension parts. Visual inspection can tell if the shocks/struts are in still in good condition or already leaking.

Uneven tire wear can be the result of worn-out shocks/struts but can also be caused by other factors, so you might as well check the tires for proper pressure and physical damage due to nails stuck in them, dry rot, or ply separation. Defective mounts can also cause steering binding, may produce unusual noises, or may put the wheels out of alignment eventually. Check the mounts. If you turn the wheels and hear some noise or notice some pulling, you may have a defective bearing. You should also inspect the rubber parts of the mount for cracks or tears. Side-to-side movement on the mount or excessive play as you push in and out on the strut and spring indicates wear on the mount. After a thorough inspection, you can correctly diagnose and troubleshoot the problem. Replace all four units if needed for a more balanced ride.