jgs1564

I took my 2009 TSX to two different tire stores to inquire about doing a wheel alignment (the car pulls to the right). After looking at the tires, both stores said that my rear shocks are shot and need replacing, as do all four tires. They said that the surfaces of each tire were uneven and this is a sign of worn shocks. To make a long story short, I took my car to an Acura dealership and they said that the car definitely needs alignment but the shocks are fine and don't need replacing. I'm at a loss as to what I should do. I want to think that the Acura tech would know what he's talking about. At the same time, I don't want to spend a good amount of money on new tires (245/35/19) and wheel alignment if there is a problem with the shocks. BTW, the car does not "bounce" when driving on surface streets or on the freeway. It really doesn't feel any different from when I first installed the aftermarket tires/rims three years ago.

Any advice???

krolyat

A few years ago I was at a car meet and someone was talking about having bad shocks and they did a "bounce test". Which was pretty much push down on the side of the car where they said the shock is back and if it bounces back only once it's fine. More than once there may be an issue.

However, I would go with the Acura technicians recommendation of an alignment and new tires vs a tire shop that hopes to get you for the purchase and install of shocks which turns a bigger profit for them.

You could also take your car to another local Acura dealership to see if they come to the same conclusion that the first Acura dealership did. (that you need an alignment) By having Acura diagnose the problem and fix it the repair goes in your file at the dealer and if they misdiagnosed the problem they should be willing to re-diagnose and correctly repair the problem.

Hope this helps.