How to Determine if a Car's Shock Absorber is Faulty?
2 Answers
Methods to determine if a car's shock absorber is faulty include: 1. Perform an emergency brake at a relatively reduced speed on a safe road, observing whether the braking posture differs significantly from previous experiences—excessive vibration indicates a problem with the shock absorber; 2. Oil leakage—the normal operation of a shock absorber relies on hydraulic oil, and once leakage occurs, the shock absorber's performance will decline; 3. With the car stationary, press down on one corner of the body and then release it. If the body rebounds under the spring force and quickly stabilizes, the shock absorber is functioning normally. If it oscillates several times before stopping, the shock absorber's damping effect is poor.
I always pay close attention to the shaking of my car when driving. The most obvious sign of a broken shock absorber is severe bouncing on bumpy roads, making the car feel like it's hopping rather than smoothly rolling over potholes. At highway speeds, the body sways unsteadily, and the steering wheel may vibrate noticeably. Additionally, when taking turns, the body roll becomes excessive, giving a sensation of being thrown outward. Checking tire wear patterns after parking can also be helpful – uneven wear on one side often indicates shock absorber issues. Listening for sounds is crucial too; if you hear dull thumping noises from the chassis over bumps, it usually means the shocks are failing. It's best to regularly inspect the shock absorber's exterior – if you spot oil leakage, get it repaired immediately as safety comes first.
