What are the signs of aging in car shock absorber springs?
3 Answers
Signs of aging in car shock absorber springs are as follows: Deterioration in shock absorption: The shock absorption effect in the car worsens. When the shock absorber springs age, the overall shock absorption performance of the vehicle becomes very poor. If the vehicle is driven on extremely bumpy roads, there is even a risk of the shock absorber bottoming out. Abnormal noises: Aging shock absorbers may produce abnormal noises. Additionally, aged springs can cause the spring end faces to tilt. Once the spring end faces become tilted or bent, friction can occur between the spring bases during driving, leading to abnormal noises. Weak rebound: Aging shock absorber springs can result in weak rebound of the shock absorbers. The rebound force of the shock absorbers is provided by the shock absorber springs absorbing road vibrations and impacts. If the shock absorber springs age or become damaged, it will significantly affect the rebound force of the shock absorbers.
I've been driving my old car for years, and the most obvious sign of aging shock springs is the increased bumpiness while driving. Going over speed bumps or small potholes, the vibrations come straight up from the chassis, shaking you to the core and drastically reducing comfort. The car body also feels unstable, with severe body roll during turns, swaying left and right like a boat, which is even scarier at highway speeds. Another issue is the increased noise—when driving over uneven surfaces, there's a creaking metal friction sound that's quite annoying. The vehicle height may also drop; check for uneven wheel gaps. These symptoms all stem from weakened or deformed spring elasticity. It's crucial to replace the parts soon, otherwise the entire suspension system will wear out faster, leading to more expensive repairs.
I noticed that from a cost-saving perspective, the most concerning issue with aging shock springs is body tilt. When driving my small car up a slope, one side is noticeably lower, as the worn-out springs can't properly support the body, leading to accelerated tire wear and increased tire repair/replacement costs. Driving over bumps becomes extremely shaky, with the steering wheel vibrating in my hands – not only is comfort gone, but fuel consumption also slightly increases. There's also abnormal noise; when slowly passing over potholes, I can hear clanking sounds indicating excessive spring gaps. If we regularly check body height and inspect springs for rust or cracks, early detection allows replacing just the springs for a few dozen dollars, avoiding costly full suspension replacement later. This approach proves very cost-effective.
