Shocks & Struts

Shocks & Struts: Dampening Movement in Your Nissan

You might overlook some of your vehicle's smaller components, but they can significantly impact your driving experience and health. Shocks and struts control spring oscillation to prevent continuous bouncing after road irregularities. These hydraulic dampers use fluid resistance to slow suspension movement. Your Murano or Maxima needs functioning dampers to keep tires in contact with pavement during braking, acceleration, and turning.

How Dampers Control Motion

Internal pistons force hydraulic fluid through valves as they move inside sealed cylinders, creating resistance that converts kinetic energy into dissipated heat. Valving controls flow rates differently during compression versus extension cycles. Struts combine damping with structural support, incorporating coil springs and providing mounting points for steering components. Gas-charged designs use pressurized nitrogen to prevent fluid foaming under demanding conditions.

Damper Degradation Factors

Internal seals wear down, allowing fluid to bypass pistons and reducing damping effectiveness. Hydraulic fluid deteriorates from heat exposure, changing viscosity characteristics. External seal failures cause visible fluid weepage down damper bodies. Mounting bushings deteriorate from continuous movement and environmental exposure. Gas pressure gradually decreases in charged units, diminishing performance.

Signs of Worn Dampers

Bouncing more than once after hitting bumps indicates insufficient damping capacity. Excessive body roll during cornering or lane changes suggests inadequate movement control. Cupped tire wear develops when tires hop rather than maintaining constant road contact. Genuine Nissan shocks and struts provide precisely calibrated damping characteristics engineered for your specific vehicle that generic parts cannot replicate.

Make your pit stop a short one when you purchase genuine OEM parts from Modern Nissan of Winston Salem.