The most noticeable symptoms are uneven tire wear and steering that doesn't "feel right." This is caused by wheel jounce (compression) and rebound over uneven road surfaces, body roll during turns and pitch during breaking that causes the front suspension's camber, caster and toe settings to be out of specification, negatively impacting steering responsiveness. In extreme conditions, worn and sagged springs can cause the vehicle to "bottom out," causing damage to undercarriage components.

Over time, the strut’s ability to dampen out the suspension's jounce and rebound is likely to be compromised, making it more difficult for the vehicle to maintain optimum traction with the road surface under acceleration and breaking. Struts may also have broken seals that have leaked hydraulic fluid, reducing their ability to function. These conditions can be very dangerous under emergency maneuvers when trying to avoid an accident or other adverse road conditions. Incorrect ride height may also put additional stress on other suspension and steering components, leading to excess wear and possible premature failure.

Whenever you service a vehicle, whether it's a simple oil change or state safety inspection, take a moment to check the vehicle's ride height per the manufacturer's specifications, and test how well the shocks are working or if they are leaking. If you find any problems, you should recommend replacing the affected parts.

Restore the original ride height the better, easier way – install MacPherson Ride Strut Assemblies. All parts are included, nothing is overlooked – simply pull, replace and align. To learn more, contact your Auto Value or Bumper to Bumper supplier today.

While every vehicle has its own specific ride height specifications, here are a few basic things to consider when measuring vehicle ride height:

• Check for any heavy weight in the trunk
• Check tire pressure (all around)
• Check the fuel level
• Follow OEM recommended measuring points