Can the car still be driven if the shock absorber is broken?
3 Answers
Driving with a broken shock absorber is dangerous. The shock absorber acts as the damper in the car's suspension, ensuring the wheels return to their normal position quickly after bouncing. Therefore, a damaged shock absorber directly affects driving comfort and causes varying degrees of body roll when turning. It should be replaced as soon as possible. Below is an introduction to shock absorbers: 1. Working principle: Most household cars use hydraulic shock absorbers, which rely on hydraulic pressure inside to provide damping and cushioning effects. 2. Hazards of long-term oil leakage in shock absorbers: Severe internal damage may occur, potentially leading to shock absorber breakage. If the shock absorber breaks while driving at high speed, it poses a significant risk to driving safety.
A few days ago, I experienced a situation where the shock absorber failed. Right after starting the car, I felt the entire body shaking, and when turning, the steering wheel became uncontrollable, almost scraping the roadside. It scared me so much that I immediately slowed down. The shock absorber's role is to absorb road impacts and ensure stable driving. Once it breaks or leaks oil, the car becomes extremely bumpy, braking distance increases making rear-end collisions more likely, and handling performance drops significantly. Even if you manage to drive, it damages the tires and chassis. It's recommended to tow it to a repair shop as soon as possible. Don't try to save trouble by driving it hard, as it could lead to accidents.
Having driven for decades, I deeply understand the importance of the suspension system. The car can still move if it's broken, but the safety risks are extremely high, with increased body sway especially on slippery roads where skidding and loss of control are likely. Prolonged driving in this condition accelerates wear on other components, such as loose suspension springs or damaged wheel axles, leading to more expensive repairs. I regularly check for shock absorber oil leaks and immediately stop driving if any abnormalities are found, never risking driving under such conditions.
