What Causes the Squeaking Sound from the Shock Absorbers?
3 Answers
The squeaking sound from the shock absorbers can be caused by: 1. Oil leakage or bending of the shock absorber itself; 2. Aging or abnormal wear of the shock absorber pressure bearing; 3. Deformation of the shock absorber spring; 4. Noise from the wheel bearing. The main function of shock absorbers is to suppress the oscillation when the spring rebounds after absorbing shocks and the impact from the road surface, accelerating the attenuation of vibrations in the frame and body to improve the smoothness and comfort of the vehicle. Shock absorber replacement tutorial: 1. Remove the screws on the shock absorber and take off the tire; 2. Remove the ball joint; 3. Detach the front stabilizer bar; 4. Remove the screws fixing the shock absorber and the brake fluid pipe; 5. Detach the steering knuckle and replace the shock absorber.
When I was younger, I drove a vintage car, and the shock absorbers often squeaked, especially when driving over bumpy roads. This was caused by aging or insufficient lubrication of the rubber bushings in the suspension system. Over time, rubber components harden and lose elasticity, creating friction and noise. Ignoring it poses significant risks; during sharp turns, an unstable suspension can easily lead to loss of control and accidents. Later, I went to the repair shop to replace the bushings and also checked if the ball joints were loose, which finally solved the problem. Regular lubrication and maintenance are crucial; spraying specialized lubricant on the connection points after each car wash can extend their lifespan. Safety comes first—addressing issues early avoids costly major repairs.
As someone who frequently tinkers with cars, squeaky shocks are mostly due to worn or dried-out suspension bushings. Get under the car and check, feel the connection points for cracks or looseness. Spraying some WD-40 can temporarily silence the noise, but the real solution is to replace the parts. Otherwise, increased noise means more friction, affecting handling safety and making the car prone to skidding during high-speed turns. Simple maintenance includes regular lubrication; it takes less than five minutes and saves hassle. I've seen too many cases where small issues lead to big troubles; don't delay, identify the problem and fix it to ensure smooth and worry-free driving.
