What are the signs of shock absorber failure?
4 Answers
Shock absorber failure manifests as follows: 1. Shock absorber oil leakage: Normally, the exterior surface of a shock absorber is dry and clean. If oil seeps out, it indicates that the hydraulic oil inside the shock absorber has escaped from the upper part of the piston rod, which means the shock absorber is essentially failing; 2. Abnormal noises: When the car passes over bumpy roads or speed bumps, if a particular wheel makes noise, it suggests that the shock absorber on that wheel has poor damping performance or has failed; 3. Body tilt: When the car turns, there is a noticeable increase in body roll, and in severe cases, even skidding may occur. This is mainly due to the shock absorber's damping force being too small to effectively suppress the spring compression; 4. No surface temperature: After driving on rough road conditions for a while, touch the outer shell of each shock absorber to feel its temperature. Normally, the shock absorber shell should be warm. If a particular shock absorber shell has no temperature, it indicates that the shock absorber is damaged.
When the shock absorbers fail, the car drives extremely bumpy. Driving over speed bumps feels like riding a roller coaster with intense shaking, causing the whole body to sway back and forth, which is very uncomfortable. Even on slightly rough roads, the body bounces heavily, and when turning, it feels like the car is about to fly off, making it very unstable. Additionally, the noise increases significantly, with constant squeaking sounds, especially noticeable when going downhill or braking. I've checked, and this not only leads to a poor driving experience but also accelerates tire wear, increases braking distance, and poses significant safety risks. Moreover, poor body balance may cause chassis loosening, leading to earlier repairs. If there's a problem, it should be checked as soon as possible—don't wait until there's oil leakage or complete failure to regret it.
I've repaired quite a few cars, and the signs of shock absorber failure are quite obvious. First, check if the car sits lower on one side when parked—that indicates air cushion or hydraulic fluid leakage. When driving on bumpy roads, if the car makes constant thumping or clicking noises, it means the internal components are severely worn. Another sign is a soft brake feel with slower deceleration, as poor shock absorption affects braking efficiency. Regarding tires, if one side shows particularly severe wear, like pitting on the inner tread, it's definitely due to uneven shock absorption. Pay attention to these changes regularly, and replacing parts early can avoid major repairs.
When the shock absorbers are damaged, the vehicle's dynamics significantly deteriorate. There is excessive body roll during cornering, instability during high-speed straight-line driving, and delayed brake response, increasing the risk of accidents. Immediate attention is required.
