Do you have worn or leaking shock absorbers that influence stopping, steering and stability as well as the ride of your vehicle?
Leading shock absorber and suspension manufacturers like Monroe recommend replacing your shocks every 80,000kms to maintain vehicle handling and comfort.

In addition to ensuring a smoother driving feel, shock absorbers are part of mechanical system responsible for your car's ability to drive, speed up and stop with safety by keeping your tyres in contact with the road, as well as help to control the movement of your vehicle's springs and suspension. At a speed of 50km/h, your braking distance can increase by 2 metres from only one worn shock absorber.

Leading shock absorber manufacturer Monroe recommends three crucial indicators as "Safety Triangle": Steering, Stopping and Stability. Worn shocks and struts can allow:

• Excessive body roll when turning, affecting your car's ability to steer around objects on the road safely;
• Too much weight transfer to the front wheels when braking, increasing stopping distance;
• excessive sway, bounce and roll while your car is in motion, reducing your control over the vehicle.

In addition, worn shocks are a major contributor to tyre wear. When driving on uneven surface, your car tyres bounce off the road - and shock absorber's job is to push them back into intended path so all wheels function in conjunction with one another. Any time your tyres lose or reduce contact with the ground, your control over your car's driving, steering and braking is decreased.

The best way to determine if your shock absorbers are worn and whether your car is safe to drive, is by a visit to a mechanic workshop. Ultra Lube Mechanical Workshop provides a FREE 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report with every car service and can quickly identify if your shocks absorbers need to be replaced, as well as identify any other malfunctioning mechanic components of your car.

As a precaution, check for the following indicators of excessive shock absorber wear:

• Tyres worn unevenly: if your tyre wear is uneven, especially with bald patches
• Car is sliding to sides: if your car veers in side winds, even with mild gusts
• Car swerves and nosedives: if your car's bonnet dips when stopping, or the car swerves when braking
• Car shaking or rattling: if uneven road causes the vehicle to bump, jump and lose tyre contact with the road
• Trouble stopping: if car takes longer to stop and your braking distance is increased - come and see our team as as possible.

Uneven tyre wear is a sure sign you need your car looked at to identify whether the cause is worn shock absorbers, or if your car is in a need for a wheel alignment or more serious servicing. Also, worn mounts and rubber, sagging springs or unusual noise when operating your car could indicate shock absorber damage and need for a service or repair. Naturally, leaking fluid from shock absorbers is a clear indicator you should contact us as soon as possible.

Ultra Lube Mechanical Workshop can replace your car's worn shock absorbers to keep you mobile and maintain your car at peak performance and efficiency. In addition to saving you money from improved overall function of your car, fresh Shock Absorbers will:

• Absorb the impact of your car movements and let you experience better overall ride, comfort and like-new feel
• Provide less vibration for more comfortable steering
• Reduce body roll for greater control and confidence
• Improve steering response and provide better handling and safety
• Decrease braking distance and time your car takes to stop
• Provide better safety support under load
• Increased tyre life span
• Let you experience better overall ride, comfort, like-new feel

Ultra Lube Mechanical Workshop mechanics can repair and completely rebuild your car's shock absorbers, as well as adjust valve slims and nitrogen pressure for optimum shock absorber performance in any environment. Our car service in Midland is also equipped to inspect your shock absorbers to determine how efficient and effective they are functioning. Our mechanics can also analyze and improve your suspension configuration, perform wheel alignments and wheel balancing, as well as all car services your car may require.

You need to see your mechanic if you notice any of the following:

• leaking fluid from the shock/strut body
• dented or damaged shock/strut bodies
• broken or worn mounts/bushings
• uneven tire wear
• swaying/leaning vehicle on turns
• nose-diving, when applying brakes
• excessive bouncing after hitting a bump
• bumpy/shaky/harsh ride
• stiff/noisy steering