Oil on a shock or strut means the seal has failed and the damper is losing its fluid. We replace leaking units where your vehicle is parked, with a price before work starts.

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Shocks and struts in Saginaw

What a leaking shock is telling you

Shocks and struts are filled with oil, and many also hold pressurized gas. A seal at the top of the tube keeps the oil inside as the rod slides in and out with every bump. Once that seal wears, oil seeps out along the rod and coats the outside of the body, where it collects road dust into a dark, greasy film.

A faint damp film can be normal on some shocks. A wet body with grime caked on is different. That shock has lost oil and will keep losing control of the spring until it barely damps at all. We check the leak, the other corners and the mounts, then replace the worn units to restore ride quality and handling without a shop visit.

How it works

Reach out

Call, text or send a work order request.

Hear the plan

We tell you what we think it is and what it will cost.

Keep your day

We come to the vehicle, so you skip the shop and the ride.

Around Saginaw

When to call about a leaking shock

A leaking shock does not usually leave you stuck, but it will only get worse. As the oil drains, that corner loses control and the tire starts to wear unevenly. Call or text once you see oil on the body. If there is any chance the fluid is brake fluid, have it checked before driving much. Let us know the year, make and model.

We cover all of Saginaw

Your driveway, your work lot or the roadside, anywhere in Saginaw. Call or text with the year, make and model and what the vehicle is doing.

Call 817-709-1357

Warning signs

How to spot a shock or strut that is leaking

Greasy tube

The body of the shock is coated in dark, oily grime.

Drips under a wheel

In bad cases, oil runs down and spots the ground inside the tire.

One soft corner

That side bounces or dips more than the others.

Knocking over bumps

A shock low on oil can clunk at the end of its travel.

Wet boot or rod

Oil on the dust boot or shaft points to a failed seal.

How it works

What happens after you text about a leak

A photo helps here. Text a picture of the wet shock if you can see it, or call and describe where you spotted the oil. We come to your vehicle at home or at work and confirm the oil is coming from the shock itself, since brake fluid and axle seal leaks can look similar from a distance.

You get a price before anything is replaced. Leaking shocks are normally done in pairs on the same axle, and rear shocks can often be swapped on that first visit. Front struts are a bigger job and get scheduled for a time that suits you, right where the vehicle is parked.

Questions

Shocks and struts questions from Saginaw.

Can a leaking shock be repaired instead of replaced?

Shocks and struts are sealed units, and the seals are not serviced separately. Once one leaks, the fix is a replacement, usually along with the matching shock on the other side. Call or text and we will price the pair before any work starts.

How do I tell shock oil from brake fluid?

Shock oil is usually darker and mixed with caked road grime around the shock body. Brake fluid is thin, often clear to amber, and tends to show up around the caliper, the brake hose or the inside of the wheel. If you are unsure, text a photo and we will take a look.

Is it safe to drive on a leaking strut?

For short trips it is usually fine, but control gets worse as the oil drains. Stopping distances grow and the car can feel unsteady over bumps. Avoid heavy loads and long highway runs until it is replaced. Call or text to schedule a visit.

Can you replace a leaking shock at my house in Saginaw?

Yes. Send a photo of the leak along with your year, make and model. We will quote the replacement, then come out to your house in Saginaw at a scheduled time to do the work. A work order request online works too.