What happens when a car's shock absorbers are broken?

[DelJayden]

When a car's shock absorbers are broken, the damping effect decreases or disappears, and the shock absorbers can no longer control the frequency of the spring's movement. This results in excessive and rapid bouncing of the suspension springs while driving. When encountering rough roads, the car will experience severe bouncing, and during turns, the up-and-down movement of the springs can cause a loss of tire grip. To quickly dampen the vibrations of the frame and body and improve the smoothness and comfort of the ride, shock absorbers are installed in the vehicle's suspension system. The most commonly used type in cars is the double-acting telescopic shock absorber. The working principle of the double-acting telescopic shock absorber is that during the compression stroke—when the car's wheels move closer to the body—the shock absorber is compressed, and the piston inside moves downward.

[JosephineRose]

Last week while driving, I noticed the car was bouncing excessively on city roads, with the body constantly moving up and down, feeling like riding on wave crests – very uncomfortable. Even going over small potholes or speed bumps would produce loud banging noises that startled me. Later when I drove on the highway, the steering felt unstable, the body leaned too much during turns, and the braking distance noticeably increased – I almost hit the guardrail. After consulting a repair shop, they told me that if the shock absorbers are broken and not fixed promptly, tire wear accelerates and other suspension components are prone to damage, leading to higher maintenance costs later. I immediately replaced the parts, and now the car drives much more steadily. My advice: if you encounter similar symptoms, get it checked early – don't delay like I did. Safety comes first.

[Kristin]

I've experienced shock absorber failure before, and it was truly awful. Driving on regular roads felt like constant body sway, especially when going over bumps—the vibrations intensified, making it feel like riding a spring. Handling was noticeably affected, with sluggish turning response and weakened braking, increasing the risk of accidents. Related issues included faster tire wear, adding hidden costs, and collateral damage to the suspension system, such as premature aging of tie rods or springs. My advice is to pay attention to road feedback regularly. If you notice unusual noises or increased vibrations, get a professional inspection immediately. Prevention is cheaper than repairs—don't let it disrupt your daily driving.

[Tami]

Recently, I drove my friend's car with broken shock absorbers, and it was a total nightmare. The ride was unbearably bumpy, the steering wheel vibrations numbed my hands, and the car's front end lifted scarily during acceleration. Taking turns almost caused a loss of control, the brakes weren't responsive enough, and the risks were even greater in the rain. I returned the car immediately to get it fixed—it was too dangerous otherwise. From now on, I'll pay closer attention to checking the car's condition.