How to Determine the Quality of Shock Absorbers?
4 Answers
Methods to determine the quality of shock absorbers: 1. Drive the car on a road with poor conditions for 10 kilometers, then stop and touch the outer shell of the shock absorber. If it is not hot enough, it means there is no internal resistance in the shock absorber, and it is not working; 2. Press down hard on the bumper and then release it. If the car jumps 2 to 3 times, it indicates that the shock absorber is working well; 3. When the car is moving slowly and emergency braking is applied, if the car vibrates violently, it means there is a problem with the shock absorber. Shock absorbers are mainly used to suppress the oscillation caused by the rebound of the spring after absorbing shocks and the impact from the road surface. When driving on uneven roads, although the shock-absorbing spring can filter the vibrations from the road, the spring itself still has reciprocating motion. The shock absorber is used to suppress this spring jumping.
I noticed my car was always unstable while driving, especially when going over speed bumps—it would bounce like a spring several times before settling. After getting out, I immediately checked the shock absorbers and found oil stains dripping down the cylinder, clearly indicating a leak. I also tried pressing down hard on all four wheel positions—a good shock absorber would rebound cleanly once, but my car bounced three or four times. The issue was even more noticeable while driving; it felt like the car might tip over during turns, and small bumps made loud thudding noises. Later, a mechanic confirmed that the right rear shock absorber had completely failed. I recommend everyone pay attention to these details—early detection and repair are crucial. Otherwise, driving at high speeds with unstable steering can be extremely dangerous.
Judging the condition of shock absorbers by yourself is quite simple. After parking the car on a flat surface and turning off the engine, press down firmly on the hood and trunk areas and then release. The car should rebound once and then stop. If it bounces up and down several times like a spring toy, the shock absorbers are likely faulty. Squat down to check if there are any oil stains on the shock absorber tubes—leaking shocks definitely need replacement. Don’t ignore how the car feels while driving, either. For example, if the body shakes violently and makes a thumping sound when going over a manhole cover, it means the shock absorption is failing. It’s best to regularly inspect tire wear patterns, as abnormal wear can also signal shock absorber issues. If you’re unsure, take it to a repair shop and let a mechanic test it with professional equipment—don’t gamble with safety.
Shock absorber failure is more dangerous than imagined. When you notice excessive body roll during turns, increased front-end dive during braking, or persistent wobbling after hard stops, it's likely a shock issue. This becomes most evident when driving on highways in rainy conditions, where the vehicle's grip significantly deteriorates. Regularly check for oil leakage around the shock absorbers when parked – any wetness indicates a problem. I perform a simple press test monthly: after pushing down on each wheel position, it should quickly stabilize. Don't delay if abnormalities are found; failed shocks increase braking distance and may cause loss of control over bumps.
