Can Worn Shocks and Struts Increase Braking Distance? The Hidden Safety Risk Clackamas Drivers Need to Fix Before It’s Too Late
Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales – Where Safety, Integrity, and Performance Meet
📍 15688 SE 135th Ave, Clackamas, OR 97015
📞 (503) 656-0600 | 🌐tims-automotive.com
Introduction: Why Your New Brakes Might Not Be Enough to Keep You Safe
You just had your brake pads replaced. Maybe the rotors too.
But when you hit the brakes, something still feels wrong. The car nose-dives. It sways. It doesn’t stop as fast as you expect.
Here’s why: braking performance doesn’t start with your brake pads—it starts with your suspension.
Worn shocks and struts can increase braking distance by up to 30%.
That means what could have been a clean stop becomes a collision at a crosswalk—or a close call on Highway 224.
At Tim’s Automotive in Clackamas, we believe drivers deserve to understand the full picture of vehicle safety. Because if your suspension is worn, your braking system is already failing—whether you realize it or not.
What Are Shocks and Struts—And What Do They Actually Do?
Shocks (short for shock absorbers) and struts are part of your vehicle’s suspension system.
Together, they do more than make your ride smooth—they keep your tires in contact with the road, which is absolutely critical for:
Stopping
Turning
Accelerating
Emergency control
If your tires can’t grip the road, your brakes can’t stop the car. Period.
How Worn Shocks and Struts Sabotage Your Braking Distance
🚧 1. Tire Bounce = Less Traction
The moment your tires leave the road—even slightly—you lose control. Worn shocks allow the tires to bounce and skip, especially over rough or uneven surfaces.
Less contact with the road means less stopping power, no matter how new your brake pads are.
🚧 2. Nose Dive = Brake Imbalance
When you brake, your vehicle’s weight shifts forward. Normally, your suspension keeps the car stable.
But when your struts are worn:
The front dives sharply
The rear lifts
Your balance is thrown off
Rear wheels lose traction
ABS may activate too early
This is especially dangerous on Clackamas hills, curved roads, or wet pavement.
🚧 3. Braking Distance Gets Longer and More Dangerous
At 60 mph, a well-maintained car can stop in about 130 feet.
With worn shocks or struts? That can jump to 160–180 feet or more.
That’s the difference between stopping safely at a red light—or plowing into the back of the car in front of you on SE Sunnyside Rd.
Braking Systems Must Work as a Team
Brakes don’t operate in a vacuum. Your ability to stop depends on three systems working together:
Brakes create friction to slow the wheels
Tires apply that friction to the road
Suspension keeps the tires glued to the road for maximum control
If any link in that chain breaks—your safety is at risk.
Even brand-new brakes can’t help if your tires are bouncing and your suspension can’t keep your vehicle stable.
How to Know If Your Shocks or Struts Are Failing
Don’t wait for a suspension failure to realize something’s wrong. Look for these signs:
🚩 Excessive bouncing after speed bumps or dips
🚩 Nose diving when you brake
🚩 Rear squats when accelerating
🚩 Drifting or swaying during turns
🚩 Uneven tire wear or cupping
🚩 Leaking fluid from struts or shocks
🚩 Steering that feels loose or unstable
These symptoms mean your suspension is already undermining your control and increasing your risk on the road.
Why It’s Especially Dangerous in Clackamas
Oregon drivers face a unique set of real-world road challenges:
Frequent rain that reduces traction and demands precise stopping
Curving rural roads where weight transfer can cause a loss of control
Traffic congestion and sudden stops on OR-213 and OR-224
Elevation changes around Clackamas and Happy Valley that stress suspension under braking
A worn suspension doesn’t just make you uncomfortable—it makes you vulnerable.
What Happens If You Ignore It?
🔴 Longer, unpredictable braking distances
🔴 Increased tire and brake wear
🔴 Poor cornering and loss of control
🔴 Excess stress on steering and alignment systems
🔴 Higher long-term repair costs
🔴 More risk to your safety and those around you
Worn suspension doesn’t just get worse—it snowballs.
Why Tim’s Automotive Is the Suspension Safety Expert Clackamas Trusts
At Tim’s Automotive Repair and Sales, we treat braking like a system, not a single part. We combine technical precision with real-world knowledge of Oregon roads and weather to keep your vehicle safe where it matters most.
We offer:
✅ Suspension testing and diagnostics
✅ Shock and strut rebound testing
✅ Brake pad, rotor, and ABS inspections
✅ Ride control evaluations under load
✅ Tire wear analysis and road test feedback
✅ Transparent, honest estimates with no pressure
We don’t oversell. We don’t guess. We solve the root issue—so you drive away confident and safe.
Your Next Step: Book a Full Suspension and Brake Safety Inspection
If your car bounces, nose-dives, or just doesn’t stop like it should—don’t wait for it to get worse.
Let our team at Tim’s Automotive evaluate your entire braking and suspension system. We’ll tell you exactly what’s going on and what it’ll take to make your vehicle road-ready again.
📍 15688 SE 135th Ave, Clackamas, OR 97015
📞 (503) 656-0600
🌐 Book online attims-automotive.com
https://youtu.be/afZlsB-bVRA.