We see plenty of cars rolling in from all over Hamilton and the surrounding towns — Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Morrinsville, even folk making the trek from Ngaruawahia. One thing that always seems to trip people up with their WOF is the old shock absorbers, especially if you’ve got adjustable ones. If you’ve bounced your way along Ulster Street or shuddered over the potholes near The Base, you’ll know how important it is for your shocks to be up to scratch — otherwise you’re in for a rough ride, and possibly a failed WOF.

1. Shock Absorber Inspection

Get on top of the basics
First step is having a proper nosey at your shocks. We get all sorts in here — from Toyota Estimas brought in by busy mums to Euro wagons like a Peugeot 308 or even the odd older Lexus hybrid. Weather in Hamilton can be all over the show, so between all the stop-start traffic by Waikato Hospital and those sneaky speed bumps in Rototuna, shocks take a hiding. If there’s oil leaking out, a bit of rust, or the bushings look stuffed — it’s time to fix it. Check out more about why this is important for handling and safety here. And have a look at why it actually affects how well you can control your car.

2. Shock Absorber Testing

See how they really work on the road
Actual testing is key. We’ve had everything from Isuzu Bighorns to Kia Carnivals and even a couple of Honda Graces in for this. Sometimes, what looks fine is actually mushy as on the road — especially after a Hamilton winter with all the rain and potholes. One of our techs will take your car for a spin up Forest Lake Road or use the gear in the shop to check your shocks properly. If the car nose-dives under brakes, or feels skittish down somewhere like Avalon Drive, that’s not gonna pass. Here’s a link about signs your shocks are on the way out.

3. Adjusting or Replacing Shocks

Set-up for your driving style or swap ’em out
If you’ve got adjustable shocks on your Mazda Atenza or say a Subaru Forester, we can tune them to suit the sort of driving you’re doing — from motorway runs out to Matamata to school runs down Hillcrest Road. Sometimes, though, they’re just too far gone. In that case, we’ll recommend biting the bullet and replacing them. We only use proper quality parts, because nothing’s worse than cheaping out and having to do the job twice. If you want to dig into why replacement is a smart move, read about it here. And here’s how the right adjustment can make a big difference to performance here.

4. Final System Check and Report

The peace of mind step
Once we’ve done the work, we do a final check over the whole suspension for you. Doesn’t matter if it’s a Suzuki Swift for a student or a Ford Mondeo used for heaps of State Highway 3 driving. We’ll confirm everything’s tight, safe, and ready for the WOF. You get a run-down of what we did and what we checked — just to keep things above board and make sure you leave confident the car’s good to go. Want to know more about the whole check system? There’s more info here.

Conclusion

Adjustable shock repairs aren’t just a tick-box for your WOF — they’re what keep you safe when you’re navigating those Cambridge roundabouts or cruising to Raglan for the weekend. At Grimmer Motors, we know the local roads and what your car’s up against out here. Our crew brings the experience, uses only good replacement parts (see more here), and honestly just want you sorted and happy with your car service in Hamilton. Safety and happy customers come first.

  • Trusted Expertise: We’ve been looking after cars in the Waikato for generations (here’s our story).

  • Comprehensive Service: We cover everything — from quick checks to big fixes and resets for your adjustable shocks.

  • Quality Replacement Parts: Only the good stuff, so your car lasts longer and drives better (learn more).

  • Customer Satisfaction: It’s not just getting the WOF — it’s about your car being right for your family, your commute, your peace of mind.

If your WOF’s coming up or your car’s not riding right, pop in and see us at Grimmer Motors. We’ll get you back on the road, safe as, and ready to handle anything Hamilton chucks at you.