How do I know when it's time to replace the steering stabilizer?

[Firebirdjones]

From my experience with a worn shock/stabalizer I found them wanting to follow the road more if one tire hits an irregularity. I especially noticed it in the rain when one front tire hits a water puddle. About that same time I noticed oil that started leaking from the shock.
A new shock dampened that affect and drove much nicer. Gas shock would be much harder to know unless you pulled it off like mentioned above.