Shocks and Struts

What Is a Car's Suspension System?

Your vehicle's shocks and struts are structural parts of its suspension system. A car's suspension system is responsible for maximizing the friction between your tires and the road's surface; this provides the most steering stability with good handling and makes sure you and your passengers are comfortable during the drive. If the roads in North central Iowa were perfectly flat and straight, there would be no need for suspension in your vehicle. However, all roads, even Hancock and Winnebago counties’s highways, have subtle imperfections that come in contact with the wheels of cars and apply force to them. A bump in the road causes your tires to move up and down, perpendicular to the road's surface. Without an intervening system, all this vertical energy produced by the wheels will transfer to your vehicle's frame, which will move in the same direction. Without your suspension system, even the wheels of your car can bounce off the road and then come back down with gravity. Your suspension is a system that will absorb the energy of the vertically accelerated wheel, allowing the frame and body to ride undisturbed while the wheels follow bumps in the road. Fortunately, we at Forest City Auto are experts at diagnosing and repairing suspension.

What Are Shocks?

Shocks, also known as “shock absorbers,” make sure that your vehicle's wheels are always in contact with the ground. This is done by the shocks controlling the rebound and impact movement of your vehicle's springs and suspension. Shocks contain hydraulic fluid; when you drive over a bump or pothole, pressure is put on your shock's hydraulic fluid, which slows down the spring as it relaxes back into place. 

What Are Struts?

The struts of a vehicle include the shock absorbers as well as the coil spring, spring seats, and strut bearing. Struts connect your vehicle's suspension parts together so they can support you as you drive on bumpy terrain or as you make sharp turns. 

How Do I Know If My Shocks and Struts Need to Be Replaced?

Like all parts of your vehicle, shocks and struts can wear out over time. You may not notice that your shocks and struts are wearing out because the changes your vehicle will experience are incremental. Getting your shocks and struts replaced when needed is a must because they can impact your vehicle's stopping distances, particularly in rainy or snowy weather. Here are some signs to look out for that your shocks and struts need to be replaced as soon as possible:

Your vehicle feels unstable at high speeds - When you are driving on the highway, you may feel that your vehicle is constantly moving up and down. 

Your vehicle "tips" on one side - If your vehicle seems to lean on one side when you turn and it feels wobbly, give Forest City Auto a call at 641-581-3000 . We serve residents of Garner, IA, Thompson, IA, Crystal Lake, IA, Forest City, IA, Leland, IA, and beyond.

Your tires bounce excessively - Your tires may bounce for a while after you hit a bump in the road, and you may also hear a clunking noise. 

Forest City Auto Is A Family Run Business - Your Reliable Shop for Shocks and Struts

We at Forest City Auto in Hancock and Winnebago counties are experts in all things auto repair. We've been fixing cars since 1998, and our owner Craig Kalskett and technicians have decades of combined experience. We have excellent ratings based on reviews from many satisfied customers and our technicians are ASE certified. No matter what issue you are having with your vehicle, we have a multitude of services you can take advantage of, such as scheduled maintenance, Auto Repair, tune-ups, and Scheduled Maintenance. Our services also come with a 24 months/24,000 miles warranty.

Why Choose Forest City Auto?:

ASE-Certified Technicians with years of hands-on experience, State-of-the-art diagnostics and repair equipment, Trusted service for all makes and models - foreign and domestic, Customer-first approach with clear communication and honest recommendations, Quality parts and workmanship backed by our guarantee

To schedule an appointment with Forest City Auto in Forest City, give us a call at 641-581-3000 or schedule an appointment online. Forest City Auto - Top Level Auto Repair & Maintenance Services.