What are the signs of damaged car shock absorber springs?
3 Answers
The signs of damaged car shock absorber springs are: 1. The car makes abnormal noises when driving on bumpy roads; 2. The car shakes violently when driving; 3. There is strong vibration during emergency braking; 4. The car noticeably sinks downward. The working principle of shock absorbers is: When relative movement occurs between the frame and axle due to vibration, the piston inside the shock absorber moves up and down, causing the oil in the shock absorber chamber to repeatedly flow from one chamber to another through different pores. The components of a shock absorber include: lower spring seat, dust cover, spring, shock absorber pad, upper spring seat, spring seat, bearing, top rubber, and nut.
My old SUV has had its springs replaced twice, and the broken shock springs are particularly noticeable. Normally, driving feels like the car is falling apart—hitting a speed bump results in a loud bang and severe jolts, making rear passengers dizzy from the shaking. The body roll during turns is especially bad, feeling like the whole car is about to tip over, and lane changes at high speeds are downright terrifying. Upon closer inspection, the body tilts to one side, with uneven gaps between the tires and wheel arches, especially when the rear springs sag, causing the rear end to noticeably droop. The most annoying part is the constant creaking and metal grinding noises, which get even worse on rough roads. A checkup at the repair shop revealed the old springs were rusted and broken, and they recommended replacing the full set of springs as soon as possible to avoid damaging other suspension components.
From my over a decade of driving experience, there are several telltale signs when suspension springs fail that you simply can't miss. When driving over bumpy roads, the car body bounces excessively, feeling like you're on a trampoline with no cushioning effect at all. The steering becomes sluggish, with increased body roll during turns, making the steering wheel feel unstable. You'll clearly feel harsh impacts transmitted through the chassis that literally send vibrations up your spine. The vehicle's ride height noticeably changes, often sitting unevenly when parked, and tire wear becomes irregular. I've seen many friends ignore spring issues, only to end up damaging their shock absorbers too. While the extra repair costs are one thing, the real danger lies in the reduced high-speed stability.
