If you're like most of us Fort Wayne car owners, you want your car to handle well. That's the job of your suspension system.

There are different types of suspension systems, but they all work on the same basic principles. First, there are the springs, which bear the weight of the car. The most common springs are coil or leaf - although we see air springs and torsion bars more often. The springs do most of the work.

Visit our Fort Wayne location for an inspection of your suspension.
Tuffy Fort Wayne - Coldwater
4501 Coldwater Rd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46825
260.483.2236

But if all you had were springs, your SUV would be bouncing around like a bobble head. That's where the shocks come in. They control the rebound of the springs and smooth out the up and down motions. They also keep the tires on the road, and you in control. Some SUVs use struts. Struts are a combination of shocks and springs, together in a more compact system.

Shocks wear out slowly over time, so it's hard to notice when they get badly worn. One way to tell is to look for an uneven, cupping wear on your tires. If the shock or strut is leaking fluid, it needs to be replaced. If your SUV feels floaty in turns or if the front end dips a lot when you stop, it is time to get your shocks checked at Tuffy Fort Wayne - Coldwater in Fort Wayne.

When you replace shocks in Fort Wayne, be sure to replace all four. Then your SUV will have an even suspension and will handle much better. Talk with your friendly Tuffy Fort Wayne - Coldwater service advisor about how you drive. No, not your traffic violations, but how often you carry heavy loads, tow a trailer around Fort Wayne or drive in rough Indiana backcountry terrain. If you do a bunch of that, you'll need a heavy duty shock.

Regular shocks use hydraulic fluid and air as their dampening system. Premium quality shocks and struts use compressed nitrogen gas instead of air. Gas shocks don't get air bubbles that affect the performance of regular shocks. If you do a lot of high performance driving, Indiana off-roading or just want added comfort and control, think about getting premium gas shocks or struts.

Replacing your struts may take your car out of alignment, so be sure to get an alignment at the same time. stop by Tuffy Fort Wayne - Coldwater in Fort Wayne. So, to smooth out the bumps on the road of life, change your shocks and struts when they need it.