Let's be honest here, there are many reasons why your vehicle nosedives when the brake is applied. You may think it's coming from the brakes themselves, or even the tires. Moral of the story is to get your vehicle to our shop for one of our technicians to diagnose!
The reason for the nosedive while braking the vehicle is actually coming from the shocks and/or struts! For the most part, your vehicle should brake quick and centered. When the front-end jerks forward or nosedives, has longer braking, or continual bouncing over bumps, you have a problem with your shocks and/or struts. This is a sign that the Shocks and Struts cannot hold the weight of the vehicle, making it very hazardous.
The main purpose of the shocks and struts is to keep the tires on the ground. They stay extended to keep the rubber in contact with the ground. Without fixing you can add wear to your front end system and cause uneven wear on your tires.
When your vehicle has hit about miles, it is time to replace the shocks and struts. We recommend the usual mileage recommendations when inspecting your vehicle.
Depending on your vehicle make/model, some only need struts, or shocks alone. Let us take a look at your vehicle to see if a replacement is necessary today! At American Import Auto Inc., we will do a courtesy test drive to your vehicle, inspect the tires, and make sure you aren't past or at the 50,000 mile mark. The mileage is the biggest factor in knowing whether you are due for a replacement.