The basic parts
- Shocks — small dampers that control bounce. Mostly on the rear of trucks and the back of SUVs.
- Struts — combine a shock + spring + steering pivot in one unit. Most modern cars use struts on the front.
- Springs — coil or leaf — hold up the weight of the vehicle.
- Control arms — connect the wheel hub to the frame, allow up/down movement.
- Ball joints — pivot points at the ends of control arms.
- Tie rods — connect the steering rack to the wheel hubs.
- Sway bar end links — connect the sway bar to the suspension.
- Bushings — rubber/poly cushions inside almost every suspension joint.
How long does each part last?
- Shocks/struts — 50,000-100,000 miles. Sometimes longer; harsh roads shorten life.
- Springs — usually lifetime, but can break or sag.
- Control arms / ball joints — 80,000-150,000 miles.
- Tie rods — 60,000-100,000 miles.
- Bushings — 60,000-120,000 miles. Often the first thing to wear.
How to tell shocks/struts are worn
- Bouncy ride — push down on a corner. If the car bounces more than 1-2 times after release, that shock is done.
- Nose-dive when braking, squat when accelerating — front struts or rear shocks losing damping.
- Cupping wear pattern on tires — irregular dips around the tread. Worn shocks let the tire bounce.
- Leaking oil down the strut/shock body — they're failing.
- Steering wheel shake at certain speeds — could be wheel imbalance, but worn shocks make it worse.
How to tell control arms / bushings are worn
- Clunking over bumps — usually a worn ball joint or bushing.
- Steering wander at highway speed — feels like the car "walks" in its lane.
- Uneven tire wear despite a recent alignment — worn bushings let the alignment shift.
- Squeaks from the front end at slow speeds (parking lot) — dry bushings or ball joints.
Why suspension matters for tires
Worn suspension = the alignment can't stay correct = tires wear unevenly. Putting a new set of tires on a vehicle with bad shocks/control arms is throwing money away — the new tires will be cupped and ruined within 20,000 miles. Always inspect suspension before installing new tires.
What we replace
- Shocks and struts — most makes/models, OEM and aftermarket (Bilstein, KYB, Monroe, Fox).
- Control arms with ball joints — single-piece units for most modern cars.
- Tie rods (inner and outer) and tie-rod ends.
- Sway bar end links and bushings.
- Strut mounts and bearings.
- Lift kits and lowering kits — see /services/lift-kits/
Free suspension inspection with any alignment or tire purchase. Walk in or call (916) 627-1998 — we quote in writing before any work begins.