A car that bounces or wallows after every bump has worn dampers or springs. Beyond annoying, it kills braking and handling. Here are the most likely causes ranked by how often they turn out to be the problem.
Shocks lose their ability to dampen oil flow over time. Bounce test: push down hard on a corner - it should rebound once, not 2-3 times.
A broken link disconnects the anti-sway function so the car wallows in corners and over staggered bumps. Easy to confirm visually.
Tires too low feel floaty; too high feel harsh and skip over bumps. Always set to door-jamb spec, not max sidewall pressure.
A snapped coil spring drops one corner and causes erratic bounce on that side. Visible by parking on level ground and comparing fender heights.
Cracked rubber bushings let suspension move more than designed. Often paired with clunking and steering wander.
The car is dramatically lower on one corner, you hear a snap or bang from the suspension, or the ride is so bad that the wheel hops off the road over bumps. A broken spring or failed strut can fail completely and cause loss of control.
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Typically 50k-100k miles depending on roads and driving style. Many cars need them by 75k. Most drivers wait too long.
Shocks: $400-$900 for all 4 installed. Struts: $600-$1500 for all 4 installed. Quick struts (assembled) save labor.
Yes, but stopping distances increase by 10-20% and tire wear gets worse fast. They are a safety part, not just comfort.
Strongly recommended. New on one side and worn on the other creates uneven handling and bad tire wear. Replace both fronts or both rears together.
If shocks are the cause, yes - dramatically. If the cause is a broken spring or bushing, new shocks alone will not fix it.