What are the symptoms of a broken shock absorber?

[VonEmiliano]

Symptoms of a broken shock absorber: 1. Shock absorber oil leakage. Normally, the outer surface of the shock absorber is dry and clean. If there is oil leakage, it indicates that the hydraulic oil inside the shock absorber is flowing out from the upper part of the piston rod, which means the shock absorber is basically ineffective. 2. The car jumps during driving, and abnormal noises occur when braking. 3. When the car turns, there is a noticeable increase in body roll, and in severe cases, even skidding may occur. This is mainly because the shock absorber resistance is too small to effectively suppress spring compression. 4. When the car is stationary, press down one corner of the body and then release it. The body will rebound under the spring force. If it takes several oscillations to stop, it indicates that the damping effect of the shock absorber has been reduced.

[Eliza]

When the shock absorbers are broken, you can clearly feel increased bumpiness while driving. The car bounces excessively when going over speed bumps or rough roads, and the steering wheel shakes, making it feel like sitting in a rocking cradle. It gets worse on highways—the car body tends to sway, especially in strong winds or on uneven sections, making driving unstable and requiring a firm grip on the steering wheel to prevent losing control. During braking, the front of the car dips more noticeably, reducing braking effectiveness and significantly increasing stopping distance, which raises safety risks. When turning, the car leans heavily to one side, as if it might tip over at any moment. Driving like this for a long time can also cause uneven tire wear, with one side wearing out much faster than the other due to imbalanced body support. Inspect the shock absorbers early—if you notice oil leaks or hear squeaking noises, get them repaired promptly to avoid chain reactions affecting the suspension system.

[LilyRose]

I've encountered quite a few shock absorber issues, with symptoms mainly focused on handling and physical characteristics. The handling feels noticeably worse: the car bounces even on smooth roads, with strong steering wheel vibrations; severe nosediving occurs during hard braking, reducing braking effectiveness; cornering response is sluggish with excessive body roll. Physically, external oil leakage can be observed - the shock absorber oil seeps out feeling sticky to touch, accompanied by abnormal temperature rise. Unusual noises are common indicators, with constant thumping or squeaking sounds when going over bumps. Imbalanced vehicle height is another telltale sign - parked on level ground, you'll notice uneven wheel heights. Neglecting these issues leads to rapid tire wear due to uneven ground contact pressure, increasing additional maintenance costs. Preventive measures include regular manual checks for shock absorber temperature and oil stains, combined with timely replacement of worn components during maintenance.

[LaDaniela]

Symptoms of shock absorber failure can significantly degrade the driving experience. When driving in the city over speed bumps, the car shakes violently with noticeable bouncing, causing dizziness. At high speeds, the vehicle feels unstable, drifting in strong winds and making control difficult. Severe brake dive occurs, accompanied by rear-end swaying. Over time, uneven tire wear becomes evident, with one side wearing out faster, affecting handling and safety. It's advisable to check for oil leaks or squeaking noises in the shock absorbers and address any issues promptly.