What are the symptoms of a bad rear shock absorber?
3 Answers
The symptoms of a bad rear shock absorber are as follows: 1. Shock absorber oil leakage: A normal shock absorber has a dry and clean outer surface. If oil is seeping out, it indicates that the hydraulic oil inside the shock absorber is escaping from the upper part of the piston rod. In this case, the shock absorber is basically no longer functional. 2. Abnormal wheel noise: When driving over bumpy roads or speed bumps, if a particular wheel makes abnormal noises, it suggests that the shock absorber on that wheel is performing poorly or has failed. 3. Increased body roll: When cornering, you may notice a significant increase in body roll, and in severe cases, even skidding. This is mainly because the damping force of the shock absorber is too weak to effectively control the compression of the spring. 4. Cold outer shell temperature: After driving on rough terrain for a while, touch the outer shells of the shock absorbers to feel their temperature. Normally, the outer shell should be warm. If a particular shock absorber's outer shell feels cold, it indicates that the shock absorber is damaged.
The rear shock absorber is broken, and I can feel the car bouncing excessively. Even going over a small pothole makes the body sway for a long time without stopping, as if floating on waves. When turning, the tilt increases, making it feel like the car might roll over, which is very unsafe. The chassis also makes creaking noises. After parking, if you press near the rear bumper, the rebound is abnormal—either too fast or too slow, indicating the shock absorber has failed. Over time, this leads to uneven tire wear, with the sides wearing out quickly, and braking distance increases at high speeds. I didn’t pay attention before, causing the entire shock absorber to fail, and replacing the parts cost more money. So, timely repairs are the way to save money.
Recently, I've noticed something wrong with my car. The rear end keeps shaking violently, bouncing up and down nonstop even on slightly uneven roads, and it tilts alarmingly when taking turns. The tire sidewalls are also showing uneven wear, and oil stains on the ground clearly indicate shock absorber leaks. When I roll down the window, I can even hear metal clanking sounds, which really makes me nervous. After taking it to the repair shop, it turned out the shock absorbers were indeed faulty. I want to remind everyone not to delay—checking the bumper and tires can help identify the problem early.
