What are the signs of shock absorber failure?
2 Answers
Shock absorber failure manifests as follows: Shock absorber oil leakage: Normally, the outer 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. In this case, the shock absorber is essentially failing; Unusual noises: When the car passes over bumpy roads or speed bumps, if a wheel makes noise, it indicates that the shock absorber on that wheel has poor damping performance or has failed; 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, unable to effectively suppress the compression of the spring; No surface temperature: After driving on rough road conditions for a while, touch the shell of each shock absorber to feel its temperature. Under normal circumstances, the shock absorber shell should be warm. If a shock absorber shell has no temperature, it indicates that the shock absorber is damaged.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and the most common symptom of shock absorber failure is severe vehicle bouncing. For example, when going over speed bumps or rough roads, the car bounces up and down violently, just like on a trampoline, with no cushioning at all. When taking turns at higher speeds, the car sways excessively, making it prone to skidding or even rolling over. Check the tires – uneven wear patterns, such as one side being thicker than the other or localized thinning, are clear indicators. There's also the oil leakage issue; lift the car and inspect around the shock absorbers – if you spot oil stains, they're leaking. Sometimes while driving, you might hear frightening knocking or squeaking noises. If not repaired promptly, it not only affects braking performance but also increases fuel consumption and risks damage to other suspension components, which is especially dangerous on highways. I've had to replace shock absorbers twice because of this. I recommend getting them checked annually to prevent major issues.
