How to Check if Shock Absorbers are Good or Bad?
3 Answers
Shock absorber inspection methods are: 1. Drive the car on a road with poor conditions for 10km, then stop and touch the shock absorber housing with your hand. If it is not hot enough, it means there is no resistance inside the shock absorber, and the shock absorber is not working; 2. Press the bumper hard and then release it. If the car jumps 2 to 3 times, it means the shock absorber is working well; 3. When the car is driven slowly and emergency braking is applied, if the car shakes violently, it means there is a problem with the shock absorber. The working principle of the shock absorber is: when the frame or body and the axle vibrate and move relative to each other, the piston inside the shock absorber moves up and down, and the oil in the shock absorber cavity repeatedly flows from one cavity to another through different pores. The friction between the pore wall and the oil and the internal friction between oil molecules form a damping force, converting the car's vibration energy into oil heat energy, which is absorbed by the shock absorber and dissipated into the air.
Checking the condition of your car's shock absorbers is actually quite simple, and I often pay attention to this during my daily commute. First, park the car and inspect the shock absorbers for any oil leaks, as oil stains indicate damaged seals. Alternatively, apply some force to press down on each of the four corners of the car body. If the car bounces unstably or continues to sway after releasing, the shock absorbers may be faulty. While driving, if you notice excessive body sway on bumpy roads—like feeling like you're on a boat when going over speed bumps—or if the steering feels unstable, these could also be signs of failing shock absorbers. Shock absorbers control suspension movement; once they fail, tire wear accelerates, handling performance declines, and even braking distance can be affected. It's advisable to regularly perform a simple press test. If anything seems off, get it checked at a repair shop promptly to avoid safety hazards.
As an average driver who enjoys tinkering with cars, I have my own tricks for checking shock absorbers. First, crouch down and inspect the shock absorber cylinder surface for any oil stains – leakage is a clear sign of damaged seals. Then sit in the driver's seat and alternately press the brake and accelerator to test the vehicle's body movement. If the car sways excessively side to side, it indicates poor damping performance. Paying attention to sound changes while driving is also crucial – squeaking or creaking noises likely come from worn shock absorber internals. These issues should be addressed promptly, as failed shock absorbers increase suspension load and may damage other components like tires and chassis connections, raising risks during highway driving. Make it a monthly habit to perform simple press-down checks – an easy maintenance routine.
