What are the effects of shock absorber oil leakage?
3 Answers
The effects of shock absorber oil leakage are: 1. Reduced performance; 2. Generation of abnormal noises; 3. Decreased comfort of the vehicle; 4. Severe internal damage to the shock absorber, leading to its fracture; 5. Endangerment of driving safety. The function of a shock absorber: to mitigate the impact from the road surface, absorb vibrations generated during bumps, and restore the vehicle to normal driving conditions. The working principle of a shock absorber: when relative movement occurs between the frame or body and the axle due to vibration, the piston inside the shock absorber moves up and down. The oil within the shock absorber cavity repeatedly flows from one cavity to another through different pores. The friction between the pore walls and the oil, along with the internal friction among oil molecules, creates a damping force against the vibration, converting the vehicle's vibrational energy into thermal energy of the oil, which is then absorbed by the shock absorber and dissipated into the air.
I've been driving for over thirty years, and the most common effect of leaking shock absorbers is making the car extremely bumpy, especially when driving over potholes—it feels like rocking on a boat, with no comfort left. Handling also deteriorates; the body becomes unstable during turns, prone to tilting, and passengers complain of dizziness. This accelerates tire wear—tires that should last two or three years may be ruined in just one, forcing you to spend money on replacements. Braking becomes more shaky, with longer stopping distances, which is especially dangerous on highways. Once, I forgot to fix it, and the shock absorbers completely failed, damaging the suspension system along the way. The repair cost was more than double that of just replacing the shocks. Now, I inspect the chassis monthly to ensure no oil residue remains, addressing any issues immediately—road safety is not something to take lightly.
We mechanics often encounter shock absorber oil leakage issues. It causes excessive vertical bouncing when driving, and the loss of damping effect leads to unstable cornering, just like springs without cushioning. This accelerates suspension wear, dulls steering response, and affects tire lifespan, turning what should be a smooth ride into a shaky hand-and-foot experience. Passengers get fatigued after prolonged sitting, especially during long journeys. Additionally, oil leakage causes uneven stress on other components like linkages or bearings, leading to premature failure. A single repair can cost thousands. It's recommended to check the shock absorber dust cover for damage every 5,000 kilometers. If minor oil leakage is detected, replace it immediately without delay. Dashcam footage shows suspension failures frequently cause accidents – the safety-first principle must be upheld.
