What are the signs of a damaged car shock absorber?
3 Answers
The signs of a damaged car shock absorber are as follows: 1. Shock absorber oil leakage. A normal shock absorber has a dry and clean exterior surface. If there is oil seepage, it indicates that the hydraulic oil inside the shock absorber is escaping from the upper part of the piston rod, meaning the shock absorber has failed. 2. Increased body roll when the car is turning, and in severe cases, side slipping may occur. This is because the damping force of the shock absorber is too small to effectively suppress the compression of the spring. 3. When the car passes over bumpy roads or speed bumps, a certain wheel makes a clunking sound, indicating that the shock absorber on that wheel has poor damping performance or has failed.
I drive quite often, and if the shock absorber is broken, the symptoms are quite obvious: the car's bumpiness increases dramatically, especially on rough roads where the body sways like being on a boat; severe body roll during turns, making it prone to losing control or even rolling over; pronounced nose-diving when braking, with the front wheels sinking noticeably; there's also noise interference, with annoying squeaking sounds; and uneven tire wear accelerates, easily noticeable by the varying depths of the tire treads. If there's an issue with the shock absorber, it must be addressed promptly—don't wait until a high-speed accident occurs to regret it. Remember, regular checks of the suspension system are crucial—it ensures safety and saves on fuel costs. Safety first is the golden rule.
As the primary driver in the family, it's really frustrating when the shock absorbers fail while taking the kids out. The car wobbles, making the kids carsick and cry nonstop; after bumps, the rebound is unstable, and the inside is higher than the outside when turning, which is especially scary; the braking distance increases, and the wheels nod too much during emergency braking—getting rear-ended would be terrible; and checking the tire wear, uneven wear raises the risk of a blowout. For the comfort and safety of the whole family, I recommend getting it inspected at the first sign of trouble—don’t delay and risk greater losses. Maintaining shock absorbers may cost a little but brings big benefits, making it worth the effort to keep them in good condition.
