# Shocks & struts

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts/31456>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 5, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts/31456 "2009-06-05T17:44:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MOMama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@MOMama](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MOMama)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts/31456/1 "2009-06-05T17:44:46Z")

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I have a 2002 Dodge Caravan. When should I expect to replace the shocks & struts?

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts/31456/2 "2009-06-05T17:56:32Z")

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That depends entirely on your driving and the roads. You could drive on the interstate system for 500,000 miles on the same struts/shocks, or replace them at 40,000 miles operating in the High Chaperral back country.

On our Nissan with 96,000 miles they are still the original.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts/31456/3 "2009-06-05T17:56:41Z")

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That’s very hard to say. Some cars 20,000 miles, some 100,000, some more. It depends on the road conditions, driving habits, and quality of shocks/struts. They can wear out gradually, so you might not be aware of it. Find a mechanic you trust and have him check them out.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts/31456/4 "2009-06-05T18:11:21Z")

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When they wear out or start leaking you should replace them. Until then don’t worry about them.