Does a broken car shock absorber have any impact?
1 Answers
Yes, a broken car shock absorber does have an impact. When one shock absorber is damaged, the corresponding wheel essentially loses its shock absorption or the absorber becomes too soft, significantly reducing the vehicle's damping effect. The most noticeable symptom is a loud "clunking" noise when driving over bumps or speed bumps. Additionally, the traction between that wheel and the road surface decreases, and the car's body roll increases during turns, potentially leading to skidding in severe cases. Extended Information: Function of Shock Absorbers: The primary role of a car shock absorber is to suppress the oscillations of the spring after absorbing shocks and to mitigate impacts from the road surface. While the suspension spring can filter out road vibrations when driving on uneven surfaces, the spring itself continues to oscillate. The shock absorber is designed to control this spring movement. Therefore, the shock absorber dampens the spring's motion rather than the car body's. Important Notes: When replacing shock absorbers, it is generally recommended to replace both shock absorbers on the same axle simultaneously. If not, the differing damping effects of the two shock absorbers can lead to inconsistent steering feel between left and right turns, uneven body roll, and not only affect ride comfort but also, more critically, impair the vehicle's handling. This can make the car difficult to control during high-speed lane changes, overtaking, or cornering, increasing driving risks.
