Can I replace just one shock absorber on a sedan?
2 Answers
You can replace just one shock absorber on a sedan, but the effect won't be as good as replacing both. Below is an introduction to the replacement method and function of vehicle shock absorbers: Shock absorber replacement method: Loosen the wheel nuts in a diagonal sequence, remove the wheel, detach the control arm fixing bolts, loosen the fixing nut of the spring support arm, open the engine hood, loosen the upper fixing nut of the shock absorber, remove the shock absorber, replace the damaged components and rubber boot of the shock absorber, apply lubricating grease to improve wear resistance, install the shock absorber, and use a wrench to tighten the wheel fixing nuts. Function of shock absorbers: To suppress the oscillation when the spring rebounds after absorbing shock and to absorb the energy from road impacts.
The other day when my car went over a speed bump, I noticed the left front wheel was particularly bouncy. After checking at the repair shop, they found the shock absorber was leaking oil. I asked the mechanic if I could just replace one. He said technically it's possible to replace just one, but strongly advised against it. Because the new shock absorber and the old one would have different damping coefficients, this would cause inconsistent suspension stiffness on both sides. Not only would the car tend to pull to one side while driving, but it would also lean more during turns. Most importantly, the old shock absorber was likely already fatigued, so the new one would bear an unusually heavy load. Although I ended up spending twice as much to replace both left and right shocks, the steering felt much more stable afterwards, and cornering became sharper. In my opinion, it's not worth saving money on this - symmetrical components like wheels should always be replaced in pairs.
