How Many Kilometers Do Shock Absorbers Need to Be Replaced?

[MacMason]

There is no fixed replacement cycle for car shock absorbers. Generally, they should be replaced every 100,000-120,000 kilometers or every 6-8 years. Shock absorbers for household cars are usually lightweight and do not require frequent replacement under normal driving conditions. Function of Shock Absorbers: Shock absorbers are hydraulic devices used to absorb and buffer vibrations from road feedback. The relationship between shock absorbers and shock absorber springs is inseparable. When a vehicle is driven on uneven roads, the tires absorb a certain amount of bounce, and the remaining bounce is transmitted to the suspension system supporting the tires. In the suspension system, the shock absorber spring is mainly used to absorb the bounce feedback from the tires, while the shock absorber core prevents the shock absorber spring from repeatedly bouncing (the shock absorber spring and core together form the shock absorber assembly). On uneven roads, the shock absorber is used to absorb vibrations caused by road irregularities during vehicle movement. When the shock absorber is working, the shock absorber spring repeatedly bounces. The shock absorber core tightens the shock absorber spring to prevent it from bouncing repeatedly. Inside the shock absorber core, the hydraulic system relies on hydraulic oil to generate damping through repeated compression by the piston. After long-term operation, the internal hydraulic oil piston of the shock absorber core may experience issues such as aging, hardened hydraulic valves, and degraded hydraulic oil performance. Impact of Damaged Shock Absorbers on the Car: If one shock absorber leaks oil, it can cause the car body to become unbalanced, with one side higher than the other, leading to automatic deviation during driving and exacerbating irregular tire wear; If the shock absorber top rubber ages and falls off, it can cause the shock absorber to collide with other components, resulting in abnormal noises, which is often the cause of chassis noises; If the shock absorber spring becomes weak and lacks sufficient extension force, the shock absorption and buffering effects will be significantly reduced, increasing the hydraulic pressure on the shock absorber and leading to oil leakage. Self-Inspection of Shock Absorbers: Press hard on the bumper; if the car body shakes up and down two or three times, the shock absorber is in good condition; After driving ten kilometers on rough roads, touch the shock absorber housing to see if it is hot. If it is, it indicates insufficient internal oil and should be replenished promptly; If the vehicle drives slowly and exhibits a strong reaction during emergency braking, it indicates a problem with the shock absorber, which should be repaired promptly;

[AustinLee]

I've been running an auto repair shop for years, and there's no fixed rule for how often shock absorbers should be replaced—it all depends on driving habits and road conditions. Typically, you should consider inspecting or replacing them every 80,000 to 150,000 kilometers. For example, those driving mostly on city roads might last longer, while frequent driving on rough rural roads accelerates wear. If you notice the car bouncing like a boat, excessive nose-diving during braking, or unusually uneven tire wear, those are clear signals—don't delay the replacement. During car washes, press down on the body to test rebound; if it lacks resilience after a few bounces, be alert. For safety, don't rely solely on mileage—get professional equipment checks promptly. Delaying could compromise steering stability, and paying for repairs is always better than risking an accident.