What are the consequences of shock absorber oil leakage?
2 Answers
The consequences of shock absorber oil leakage are: 1. Reduced shock absorption effect of the vehicle, causing abnormal noises when driving on bumpy roads and damaging the entire suspension system of the car; 2. Uneven force distribution on both front wheels, leading to impaired vehicle control and, over time, tire wear and misalignment; 3. Affected ride comfort. There are two scenarios of shock absorber oil leakage: a small amount of oil stains on the upper part of the shock absorber and a large amount of oil sludge on the upper part. The shock absorber is mainly used to suppress the oscillation when the spring rebounds after absorbing shocks and impacts from the road surface. When driving on uneven roads, the shock absorber is used to control spring bouncing. If the shock absorber is too soft, the car body will bounce up and down; if it's too hard, it will create excessive resistance, hindering the normal operation of the spring.
Recently, my car's shock absorbers started leaking oil, making the ride extremely uncomfortable. The car bounces severely over even small bumps, feeling like a roller coaster, which significantly impacts the driving experience. Over time, I noticed the handling has worsened too—the body tilts noticeably during turns, and at high speeds, the car feels unstable and prone to skidding, posing serious safety risks. Additionally, the lack of lubrication inside the leaking shock absorbers puts all the burden on the springs, accelerating their wear and making the suspension system more prone to fatigue and damage. This also leads to uneven tire wear, often causing sidewall bulges. Even worse, the leaking oil can contaminate nearby components, such as the braking system, where oil contamination can cause skidding or failure, which is extremely dangerous. I recommend that anyone facing similar issues not delay and visit a professional repair shop immediately—safety should always come first. Also, remember to check the condition of your shock absorbers during regular maintenance to prevent leakage issues.
