What to Do When Car Shock Absorbers Are Damaged?
2 Answers
If the car shock absorbers are damaged, they need to be replaced. If the car is still under warranty, the replacement can be done for free. Shock absorbers play a crucial role in the vehicle's suspension system, and their performance directly affects the smoothness of the ride and the lifespan of other components. Therefore, they should always be in good working condition. The working principle of shock absorbers is as follows: when the car body experiences relative movement due to vibration, the piston inside the shock absorber moves up and down, causing the oil inside the shock absorber chamber to repeatedly flow from one chamber to another through various pores. During this process, the friction between the pore walls and the oil, as well as the internal friction between oil molecules, creates a damping force that converts the car's vibration energy into thermal energy of the oil. The shock absorber then absorbs and dissipates this heat into the atmosphere. Essentially, the vibration energy is converted into heat through friction, thereby achieving the damping effect.
Last time my shock absorbers failed, I first took a look myself and found the rear wheels leaking oil like a faucet. Going over speed bumps made the car bounce higher than a rabbit. Quickly checked with my phone's flashlight to see if the springs were cracked or if the tires had uneven wear. The worst part was the car's rear end sliding out during high-speed turns, scaring me into unloading all the fishing gear from the car. Nowadays, repair shops use machines to replace shock absorbers, with two mechanics finishing the job in half an hour. Remember, after replacement, a four-wheel alignment is a must, or the new shocks will be ruined in three months. Oh, and if you hear a clunking sound when going over potholes, chances are the top mounts need replacing too.
