If you are replacing worn out shocks or struts, it is a good idea to also inspect all suspension components to ensure that all damaged or worn parts are replaced. To inspect your suspension components to gauge wear, check for:
- Leaking oil or wetness along the body of the shock or strut.
- Broken mounts and worn or missing bushings.
- Broken, damaged, or missing mounting hardware.
- Severely dented reservoir tube and bent or scratched piston rod.
- Cupped tire wear.
- Damaged strut body springs, seats, and bushings.
- Defective strut bearing or missing plate.
Visual indications of worn suspension components include:
- Clunking noises when driving under normal conditions.
- Steering stiffness.
- Poor steering response.
- Roll or sway during turns.
- Vehicle bounces or slides sideways on a winding rough road.
- Abnormal rear end 'squat' when accelerating.
- Abnormal front end nose dive when braking.
- Poor alignment.
- Cracked and/or sagging rubber.
- Corrosion.
- Deformed or bent parts.
- Loss of grease from sealed bearing assembly.
- Signs of wear due to rubbing.

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