How to Determine if the Shock Absorber is Faulty?
4 Answers
The shock absorber's function is to suppress the vibration and deformation absorbed by the spring, as well as the oscillation during the spring's rebound, and to absorb the impact force from the road surface. There are four methods to determine if the shock absorber is damaged: 1. Perform an emergency brake on a safe road at a relatively reduced speed and observe if the car's braking posture differs significantly from previous experiences. Excessive vibration indicates a problem with the shock absorber. 2. Oil leakage. Check if there is fresh oil on the shock absorber. If present, the shock absorber is severely leaking and needs immediate replacement. If there is no fresh oil but only some oil stains, the issue is not yet severe. 3. With the car stationary, press down on one corner of the car body and release it. The body will rebound due to the spring force. If it stabilizes quickly after rebounding, the shock absorber is functioning normally. If it oscillates several times before stopping, the shock absorber's damping effect is poor. 4. Abnormal noises. These usually occur when driving on unpaved or rough roads. Since many parts of the chassis can produce sounds, ensure the noise is from the shock absorber before replacing it.
In my daily driving, I noticed that when the shock absorbers have problems, the car shakes significantly more, especially when going over speed bumps or gravel roads. The bumps feel much more intense, not as smoothly absorbed as usual. Last time I encountered a similar situation, I tested by pressing down on the four corners of the car: using both hands to forcefully press the front or rear of the car. If it bounces back quickly without damping, or doesn't move at all, the shock absorber is likely failing. Another obvious sign is oil leakage—squat down to check for greasy stains near the wheels, indicating a broken seal. For more accuracy, I also recommend testing under different road conditions, such as high-speed driving or cornering. If the car's shaking or instability increases, there might be an issue. Don’t forget to check for uneven tire wear, which is a long-term effect of shock absorber failure. Overall, early detection can prevent further damage to the suspension. Safety first, so when I notice these signs, I take the car to a repair shop for a thorough inspection.
To determine if the shock absorbers are damaged, my most commonly used method is the parking inspection: first, get out of the car, find a flat surface, and alternately press down firmly on each corner of the vehicle at the wheel positions. Normally, the car should move up and down evenly and rebound slowly. If it bounces back too quickly or barely moves at all, it may be faulty. I also pay attention to symptoms while driving, such as experiencing excessive discomfort when going over bumpy roads, severe side-to-side swaying of the car, or rocking like a boat, which becomes more noticeable during turns or braking. Checking the tire appearance is also helpful—if one side shows abnormal wear, it could be an indirect sign of shock absorber issues. To strengthen my judgment, I also consider other potentially related factors, such as the vehicle's age or frequent heavy loads, which can accelerate wear. If these signs are noticed, don’t delay; get it inspected promptly to avoid compromising driving safety. I make it a habit to keep a small log and perform a self-check every quarter to maintain good vehicle condition.
When the shock absorbers are faulty, I can easily detect it through a simple driving test: driving over speed bumps or small potholes causes the car to bounce excessively with loud thumping noises, indicating a very rough ride—this is the primary sign. After parking, I press down on each corner of the car body to observe the rebound motion; if there's no damping or the car barely moves, the problem is serious. Oil leakage stains are another obvious confirmation point. These methods are quick and effective, requiring minimal tools, but the key is to address the issue early to prevent damage to the suspension system or uneven tire wear.
