What are the symptoms of a damaged front wheel shock absorber top mount?
2 Answers
Symptoms of a damaged top mount are as follows: 1. Reduced comfort, with particularly noticeable noise when going over bumps or speed bumps, as if there is an issue with the shock absorber. 2. Increased tire noise, which can become a loud roaring sound in severe cases. 3. The steering becomes misaligned, meaning the steering wheel is not straight when driving in a straight line, and the car won't go straight even if the wheel is held straight. 4. A squeaking sound when turning the steering wheel while stationary, which can also be felt through the steering wheel in severe cases. 5. It can be one of the causes of the car pulling to one side. Symptoms of a damaged shock absorber top mount are: 1. Reduced comfort, with a pronounced thumping sound when going over speed bumps, similar to a shock absorber issue. 2. Increased tire wear, with a loud roaring sound in severe cases. 3. Misaligned steering, where the steering wheel is not straight when driving in a straight line.
Recently, I've been feeling something off while driving. When going over speed bumps or rough roads, there's a clunking sound coming from the front wheel area, and sometimes I can even feel the steering wheel vibrating along. Especially on those small slopes in the neighborhood, the noise is particularly noticeable, sounding like some part has come loose. Upon closer inspection, I noticed uneven tire wear, and the steering is noticeably less responsive than before, with the front end wobbling badly when taking turns. A car-savvy friend took it for a test drive and straight up said the shock absorber top mount needs replacing. This kind of issue really can't be put off. Last time, my neighbor delayed repairs and ended up having to replace the entire shock absorber, costing several thousand yuan—just thinking about it makes my wallet ache.
