Shock Absorber Inspection in Upland

A shock is a sealed oil damper. It does not hold the car up; the spring does that. Its job is to slow the spring's movement. Because the damping happens inside, the most useful test is how the car behaves. On the road test we drive over known dips and watch how many times the body rebounds, how much it dives under braking and how it settles in a turn.

On the lift we look for oil on the shock body. A light film can be normal, but wet oil running down the tube means the seal has failed. We check the upper and lower mounts for cracked rubber and broken studs, look for dents in the shock body, and check the dust boot and bump stop. Tire cupping is recorded too, because worn shocks often show up there first.

The fee for the inspection is stated at the counter first. Shock replacement is usually quoted per axle so both sides match. Your written estimate lists parts and labor for each axle separately, so you can decide whether to do front, rear or both. AAA members save 10% on parts and labor, up to $75, with the card at time of service.

A failed shock leads to shock absorber replacement. If your vehicle uses struts instead, see the strut condition inspection. Cupped tires may need replacing too, which the tire services page covers, since we sell, mount and balance new tires. For the whole suspension, book the suspension inspection.