What are the symptoms of vehicle shock absorber problems?
3 Answers
The symptoms of vehicle shock absorber problems are: 1. The shock absorber makes abnormal noises when driving on bumpy roads; 2. There is oil leakage on the exterior of the shock absorber; 3. The vehicle body shakes and becomes unstable when driving on bumpy roads; 4. The shock absorber casing becomes excessively hot after driving. The working principle of a shock absorber is: when relative movement occurs between the frame or body and the axle due to vibration, the piston inside the shock absorber moves up and down, causing the oil in the shock absorber chamber to repeatedly flow from one chamber to another through different orifices. The friction between the orifice walls and the oil, as well as the internal friction between oil molecules, creates a damping force that converts the vehicle's vibration energy into heat energy of the oil, which is then absorbed by the shock absorber and dissipated into the air.
When there's an issue with the vehicle's suspension, driving feels like bouncing on the road. I've personally experienced this - every time I go over speed bumps or potholes, the car body shakes violently, making the steering wheel tremble. The car also becomes unstable when turning, feeling like it might roll over, which is nerve-wracking. Even worse, the braking distance noticeably increases, and the car tends to skid on slippery roads. Passengers often get carsick and complain nonstop, which is unpleasant to hear. In this situation, tire wear becomes uneven, with one side wearing out quickly while the other remains fine. If driving on the highway for a while, the whole car feels like a bouncing ball.
When my shock absorbers failed, driving safety became a major issue. The handling performance deteriorated significantly, with noticeable body sway during turns or sudden braking, even feeling like drifting. Insufficient tire grip led to reduced braking efficiency, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. Bumps could also cause other components to loosen, such as suspension system damage. It was even more dangerous when driving at night with poor visibility. It is recommended to inspect and replace them promptly, not delaying repairs—safety first is the way to go.
