Ford Shocks and Struts: Wear Signs and What to Replace Together

A shock absorber damps the movement of the spring and keeps the tire in contact with the road. A strut is a shock absorber that is also a structural part of the suspension: it carries the coil spring and the upper mount, and its lower end bolts to the steering knuckle. Many Ford models use struts at the front and often separate shocks at the rear.

Shocks wear slowly, so drivers often get used to the change and do not notice it. The signs below will help.

Signs Your Shocks or Struts Are Worn

• The car keeps bouncing after a pothole or speed bump
• The front dives under braking and the rear squats when you pull away
• More body roll in corners, a floaty feel at highway speed, more sensitivity to crosswinds
• A wet, oily layer on the shock body - the seal is leaking
• A knock from the top of the strut over bumps, or a creak or clunk when you turn the steering wheel at a standstill - often the upper strut mount or its bearing
• Patchy, cupped tire wear

A rough check: push down hard on one corner of the car and let go. If it bounces more than once or twice, the shock may be weak. A mechanic can confirm it on a lift.

What to Replace Together

1. Shocks and struts are replaced in pairs on the same axle - both front or both rear. One new and one old unit work differently, and the car becomes less stable.
2. Upper strut mount. It comes off anyway when the strut is replaced, so a worn mount is best replaced at the same time.
3. Dust boot and bump stop. If they are torn or crumbling, a new strut can wear out quickly.
4. Sway bar links. On many Ford models the link is bolted to the strut, so check it at the same time.
5. Coil spring. Check it for cracks and sagging.
6. Wheel alignment. After replacing front struts, have the alignment checked and set.

For knocking from the front end of the Fusion and Edge, we have a separate guide: Ford Fusion & Edge Front End Knocking.

Ford Shocks and Suspension Parts in Our Catalog

The strut mount also fits the Flex, Taurus and Lincoln MKS / MKT of the same years - exact fitment is on the product page.

When Not to Wait

Worn shocks make the car harder to control on rough roads and under hard braking. If the car bounces, wanders or a strut is leaking heavily, do not postpone the repair.

Parts by model: Suspension · Ford Explorer · Ford Taurus · Ford Flex

Not sure which part fits your car? Send us a part request with your VIN, or call or message us on WhatsApp: +995 505 05 06 51. We work every day, 10:00-19:00. Delivery takes 1-2 days in Tbilisi and 3-5 days to the regions.