Most owners know their vehicles require routine maintenance, including periodic inspection of their batteries, spark plugs, tires, windshield wipers, filters and fluids. But often the parts drivers can’t see-such as shock absorbers and struts, located under the vehicle-don’t get the attention they deserve.
In addition to causing an uncomfortable ride and poor handling, weak shocks may cause changes in vehicle ride height. This may lead to increased wear on other suspension components-including tires, ball joints and springs-which could cause premature component failure in extreme cases. These components are often more expensive to replace than the shocks themselves.
“Shocks and struts are the only devices on your vehicle designed to help reduce up and down movement,” said Sherry Allen, product specialist, ACDelco Suspension Systems. “Reducing this movement can offer many benefits, such as improved comfort, control and handling. ACDelco shocks and struts fit 95 percent of vehicle models from the 1980s on.”
ACDelco, a global leader in automotive replacement parts and service, offers the following vehicle maintenance quiz...