Honda CR-V Shock Absorber and Strut Assemblies

Honda’s move to exploring the compact crossover segment bore fruit after the Honda CR-V debuted in North America in 1997. CR-V stands for Comfortable Runabout Vehicle in the US, while it’s Compact Recreational Vehicle in the British market. It was built using its compact sedan sibling Civic’s body with exceptionally bigger cabin room due to its SUV body. 

 

The Honda CR-V’s achievements include the U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 Best SUV Brand, Kelley Blue Book’s 2019 Best Buy Compact SUV, and 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick, 2019 Edmunds Editors’ Choice: Best SUV. Despite these awards, the Honda CR-V is still not immune to damage and deterioration, especially components like the shock absorber and struts assembly.

 

Your shock absorber and struts help in your Honda CR-V’s riding comfort and aid in its handling on corners and curves. A bad or failing shock absorber and strut assembly can make your vehicle unsafe, on top of being uncomfortable even in short drives. To help you determine when to replace a shock absorber and struts, here are some of the most common symptoms of a malfunctioning shocks and struts.

 

Increased bounce on bumps and potholes

Since the shocks dampen sudden contraction and expansion of the struts, any increase in bounciness could be directly attributed to poor shocks and struts. If one of your Honda CR-V’s shock absorber and struts, the corresponding coil spring would tend to compress and expand excessively, which may result in a bumpy uncomfortable ride.

 

Nose-diving or rear-squatting when braking or accelerating

According to physics, it’s natural for any vehicle, including your Honda CR-V, to experience weight transfer when braking or accelerating. Nose-diving is when the weight is being transferred to the front during braking, while rear-squatting happens when the weight is being transferred to the rear during acceleration. Though nose-diving and rear-squatting are natural phenomena, manufacturers were able to lessen the angle by installing shock absorber and struts on each wheel.

 

A failing shock absorber and strut assembly won’t be able to control the movement of the springs when braking and accelerating, which increases the angle of dive. Nose dive or rear squats can be dangerous at extreme circumstances.

 

Body roll when steering on curves

Body roll exhibits the same principles as with nose dives and rear squats, though body rolls are sideways weight transfer. Body roll refers to the leaning motion of your car when steering to the side. When steering to the left, your roof will be directed to the opposite direction and vice versa. Bad shocks, especially failing shock absorber bushings, are often the culprit in increasing the body roll.

 

Body roll is fatal simply because too much of it could toss your vehicle rolling over to the side. Make sure you contact your trusted mechanic if you notice any increase in body roll.

 

Uneven mild or severe tire wear

Worn shocks have the tendency to get stuck or behave differently compared with good, working ones. This can cause the tire on the side of the malfunctioning part to wear badly. In some instances, the tire belonging to the side of a failing shock is the last to wear due to minimal contact with the road.

There have been five generations of the Honda CR-V and each one features distinct design and part fitting. To save valuable amount of time, effort, and money, simply input the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Shock absorber and struts replacements for your Honda CR-V could cost you around $3 to $3,100 on CarParts.com. OE and performance replacement shock absorber and struts are sold individually, in sets, or as part of a kit.