Must a Leaking Shock Absorber Be Replaced?
3 Answers
Car shock absorber oil leakage indicates damage, and the damping effect will gradually decrease. Over time, when the oil inside the shock absorber completely leaks out, it will lose its damping function. Therefore, when a car's shock absorber leaks oil, it must be replaced, and timely replacement is necessary. Below is relevant information: 1. The role of shock absorbers: Car shock absorbers are connected between the wheel chassis and the vehicle body frame, absorbing vibrations when the vehicle bumps and providing stability during turns. 2. Hazards of oil leakage: Although a car can continue to drive with a leaking shock absorber, abnormal noises may occur, and the shock absorber's buffering capacity will decline. When passing over some bumpy sections, the car body is prone to jolting, affecting driving comfort. Moreover, if the speed is too high, the car body may bounce up and down, reducing the vehicle's stability. 3. Solutions for oil leakage: Depending on the situation, repair or replace with new parts.
I'm particularly concerned about shock absorber oil leakage, as it directly relates to driving safety. Last year, my car developed this issue - it started with just slight oil seepage, but I clearly felt severe rear-end bouncing when going over speed bumps, and almost lost traction during rainy cornering. The mechanic explained that oil leakage leads to damping failure, where the springs can no longer properly control body roll, causing increasingly severe lean during turns. The most dangerous part is the worsened nose-dive during emergency braking, resulting in longer stopping distances. That's why I immediately replaced them when noticing leakage signs - safety isn't something to gamble with, and changing two shock absorbers is far more economical than dealing with an accident.
I think it's important to rationally analyze the costs when dealing with shock absorber oil leaks. Minor seepage might hold up for a while, but you need to closely monitor the leakage rate. My neighbor kept putting off replacement until the shock completely failed, which ended up damaging the lower control arm bushings as well, doubling the repair cost. If the leak has formed oil droplets, or you clearly hear clunking noises when going over bumps, then it's really not worth saving this money. Replacing with an OEM shock absorber only costs a few hundred yuan, while continuing to drive will accelerate uneven tire wear - replacing all four tires would be much more expensive.
