The other day my car was hit while parked in the parking lot. I didn't find out until I started driving, which is when I could hear the tire rubbing against something as soon as I made a turn in the lot. I parked the car to check where the sound was coming from and there was a dent as well as paint chipping/scratches on the driver side rear fender. Kept driving and the fender would rub against the tire on any bumps, lumps or turns i made.

Took the car to a shop and they tell me the driver side rear shock is dead. However, upon further inspection I notice that the car is actually lower on the driver side rear fender, as opposed to the other side, which I assume is causing the rubbing. He maintained that it was the shocks that need to be replaced.

Do failed shocks make the car sit lower? or is that a spring problem, or perhaps something else.

 

Shock doesn't have anything to do with how the car sits, it only dampens motion.

I'm guessing the body/fender has shifted slightly as a result of it being hit and now the wheel rubs.

 

Find another shop. Maybe one recommended by your insurance company.

 

a blown shock can result in rubbing on bumps and such as it is no longer preventing extra suspension movement by dampening as it should. Its possible getting hit could blow a strut/shock.

But it certainly sounds like there is more at play here. It shouldn't make it look lower. It could be possible you have a slight bend in tie rods, control arm, etc from getting hit on that side as well. But as Daves says, it more than likely is shifting of panels from getting hit.

Find a reputable body shop that can assess that for you. Goodluck.

 

Actually with a properly set up suspension/wheels/alignment, you still won't rub from a blown shock.