Feeling every pothole and expansion joint as a sharp jolt—rather than a dampened thud—means your shock absorbers or struts can no longer cushion the suspension's movement after a bump. Shocks and struts degrade gradually over years of use, and most drivers adapt to the worsening ride quality without realizing how far it has fallen. On Utah's roads, where winter potholes can be severe, worn shocks also mean your tires spend less time in full contact with the pavement—affecting both wet-road traction and braking distance. A simple bounce test at our shop takes about 30 seconds and gives a reliable read on shock absorber condition.
Shock absorber replacement is typically one of the more cost-effective suspension repairs—shocks are simpler assemblies than struts and don't require spring compressors or alignment correction afterward. We bounce-test all four corners, inspect for oil leakage from the shock body (a sign of internal seal failure), and check mounting bushings while we're at it. If only one shock has clearly failed, we still recommend replacing the pair on that axle to keep handling balanced. Learn more about our Shock Replacement service.
From diagnosis to repair, we keep you informed every step of the way.
Call or text us to describe what you're experiencing.
Bring your vehicle in for a thorough inspection.
We explain what we found and quote before any work begins.
Experienced technicians complete the repair with quality parts.
We test drive and verify the repair before returning your car.
When shocks or struts lose their hydraulic damping ability, the spring's energy isn't absorbed—it's transmitted directly to the cabin. The result is sharp, jarring impacts instead of dampened thuds. Shock absorbers degrade gradually over years, so most drivers adapt to the worsening ride without realizing how far it's fallen from new.
Both provide hydraulic damping, but struts are structural—they include the coil spring and are a load-bearing suspension member. Shock absorbers are supplemental dampers only. Both affect ride harshness the same way when worn, but strut replacement requires spring compressors and a subsequent wheel alignment, while shock replacement is simpler.
Yes. We always replace shocks in axle pairs—both rears or both fronts—to maintain even handling balance. Installing one new shock next to one worn shock creates pull and uneven cornering. If all four are worn, replacing them together in one visit is most cost-effective.
These are the most common reasons drivers experience this symptom.
Shocks lose their ability to dampen spring rebound over time, transmitting every road irregularity harshly.
On strut-equipped vehicles, worn struts can no longer absorb bump energy and transmit it directly to the cabin.
Worn rubber bushings amplify road noise and harshness that shocks would otherwise filter out.
Not sure if this is your issue? Browse other common problems we fix.
Contact Scott's Auto and Clutch today for honest service and expert repairs.
144 W Crystal Ave, South Salt Lake, UT 84115