Do You Need to Replace the Springs When Changing Car Shock Absorbers?
3 Answers
When changing car shock absorbers, it is not necessary to replace the springs. Shock absorbers are used to dampen the oscillations from spring rebound after absorbing shocks and impacts from the road surface, thereby accelerating the attenuation of frame and body vibrations to improve the vehicle's ride comfort. Based on material, they can be categorized into hydraulic and pneumatic types. The steps for replacing shock absorbers are as follows: 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface; 2. Secure the vehicle with jack stands, loosen the lug nuts on both sides of the front or rear end, and remove the wheels; 3. Spray the old shock absorbers with a metal cleaner; 4. Remove the bolts from the shock tower and disconnect the suspension impact; 5. Remove the bolts at the bottom and top, then take out the shock absorber for replacement.
The question of whether to replace the springs when changing shock absorbers is something I often encounter when helping friends with car repairs. In fact, springs and shock absorbers work as a team but have different lifespans. The springs mainly support the vehicle's weight, while the shock absorbers handle bump absorption. If the springs aren't rusted or deformed and can still maintain the correct ride height, you can replace just the shock absorbers. I've seen older cars run just fine with only the shocks replaced. However, for cars that have traveled over a hundred thousand kilometers, the springs are often fatigued and deformed, so it's best to replace them together. Pairing new shock absorbers with old springs is like wearing new shoes with old insoles—you'll still feel every bump. To save money, it's smartest to check the condition of the springs first before deciding, as labor costs are the main expense anyway.
When my car was six years old, I replaced the shock absorbers. The mechanic showed me the old springs: the bottom parts were flattened. He explained that when springs fatigue and lose elasticity, they can cause the car body to sag, which in turn makes the new shock absorbers more prone to damage. That's when I realized that shock absorbers control the bouncing, while springs are the foundational components supporting the car's weight. Now, whenever I replace shock absorbers, I ask the mechanic to measure the car's height—if the distance between the wheel arches and the ground exceeds three fingers' width (the standard), it means the springs are worn out. Additionally, old springs can develop tiny cracks that are hard to spot with the naked eye, and sudden breakage at high speeds can be dangerous. After replacing the springs on my car, it felt like driving a new vehicle—no more excessive rear-end wobble over speed bumps.
