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Shock absorbers play a crucial role in ensuring your comfortable driving, and any malfunction can lead to various problems. Learn the symptoms of a bad shock absorber.
The main function of the shock absorbers is to ensure a smoother ride, particularly when encountering uneven road surfaces and obstacles. They reduce and control the compression and rebound of the springs and suspension, effectively managing and restraining undesired spring motion.
Like other automotive parts, shock absorbers may become faulty, eventually requiring replacement. Familiarizing yourself with the key signs of faulty shock absorbers and understanding the associated replacement costs can prevent unnecessary hassles during your journeys. This article explains the bad shock absorber symptoms, causes, and replacement cost.
Symptoms Of A Bad Shock Absorber
When the shocks become faulty, they produce different issues such as uneven tire wear, longer stopping distances, unusual noises while driving, excessive vibration in the steering wheel, or bouncy rides.
Let’s discuss the main symptoms of a bad shock absorber.
1) Longer Stopping Distance
If your braking system takes a longer stopping distance than usual, it is one of the clear symptoms of a bad shock absorber. Whether this issue occurs gradually or suddenly depends on the underlying problem.
It’s important to note that prolonged braking doesn’t necessarily pinpoint faulty shocks, as it may be caused due to the failure of some other components, including faulty brake caliper, insufficient brake fluid, and more.
Shock absorbers have a vital role in keeping your vehicle’s tires firmly in contact with the road surface. As they become faulty, it may lead to tire bouncing, making it significantly more challenging to achieve prompt braking. If you delay braking in such a situation, it increases the risk of potential accidents.
2) Bouncy Ride
The bouncy ride is one of the clear symptoms of a bad shock absorber. Ideally, your car must settle smoothly after hitting a jolt, with minimal ongoing bouncing.
When your shocks and struts are worn out, they lose their ability to efficiently absorb road impacts and diminish the effects of bumps, leading to the prolonged bouncing sensation.
3) Nose Dives/Squatting
When the shocks become faulty, the piston movement within the brake cylinder may become excessive. As you apply the brakes, the front of your vehicle tends to dive, as the shocks fail to control the vehicle’s weight effectively, causing it to sway further than it should.
Similarly, issues with weak shocks can lead to the rear of the vehicle squatting under certain conditions. As you press the gas pedal, you can observe this squatting phenomenon due to the faulty shock absorber. Depending on your driving actions, these irregularities may appear unusual to onlookers.
4) Uneven Tire Wear
When the shocks and struts of your car wear out, it may lead to a noticeable bouncing sensation, which diminishes your vehicle’s ability to maintain stable contact with the road.
This bouncing effect may also result in quicker tire wear, potentially causing tire cupping or scalloping, characterized by rubber gouging on the tire surface.
5) Leaking Fluid
The leakage of brake fluid is also a symptom of a bad shock absorber. Typically, this fluid seeps out from the seals integrated into the shock’s structure.
You might notice drops of oil running down the sides of the shock or a small puddle on the ground. Although this leakage is not as severe as engine oil. However, sufficient brake fluid is essential for the proper functioning of the shock absorber’s cylinder. Without this oil, the shock absorber doesn’t work efficiently.
Read More: How To Flush Brake Fluid?
6) Steering Wheel Vibration
A bad shock absorber may also lead to excessive vibration in your steering wheel.
Feeling slight vibrations in your steering wheel while driving uneven roads is a common occurrence. However, if you encounter similar vibrations on a smooth road, it could be an indication of wear and tear in your steering stabilizer, struts, or shocks.
7) Strange Noises
When your vehicle’s shock absorbers are in good condition, encountering bumps should be a quiet and smooth experience. These shocks are designed to effectively reduce the vertical movements, ensuring you neither hear nor feel them.
Nevertheless, when the shocks or their associated bushings begin to deteriorate, you can notice unusual noises due to the heightened vibrations we discussed earlier.
Common symptoms of deteriorating shocks include rattling sounds and, in some cases, squeaking noises. The type and severity of the sounds can vary depending on the specific component that has worn out and the extent of the damage.
Causes of a Bad Shock Absorber
Your shock absorber may become faulty due to one or more of the following causes:
- Wear and tear
- Manufacturing defects
- Frequent driving on rough or poorly maintained roads
- Excessive mileage
- Overloading
- Hydraulic fluid Leaks
- Striking a pothole, speed bump, or debris in the road
- Exposure to harsh environmental conditions may lead to corrosion on the shock absorber
- Improper installation of shock absorbers
Shock Absorber Function
The shock absorber is a vital component of your car’s suspension system. The primary function of the shock absorbers is to reduce and control the compression and recovery of your suspension and springs, effectively managing and restraining undesired spring movement. By doing so, shocks ensure constant tire contact with the road surface.
Whenever your vehicle encounters bumps or other road obstacles, its suspension system and springs respond by allowing the tire to maintain contact with the road while absorbing the energy generated.
The main function of shocks lies in dampening the spring motion by transforming the kinetic energy of the springs into thermal energy, which manifests as heat. These absorbers consist of oil-filled cylinders.
As the suspension of the vehicle moves, a piston starts to travel upward and downward within the oil-filled cylinder. This piston’s oscillating motion forces minute amounts of fluid through small orifices in the piston head. Because only a small quantity of fluid is expelled, this process effectively decreases the motion of the suspension and reduces the compression and recovery of the springs.
The presence of shock absorbers in your vehicle is essential to prevent it from losing control when encountering bumps. Without these components, your vehicle may bounce uncontrollably after hitting a bump, resulting in an unsafe and unstable ride.
Shock Absorber Location
The location of the shock absorbers varies according to the vehicle models. The shocks are most commonly positioned at the rear of your car’s wheels. However, in some vehicles, the shocks are located behind every wheel, while others use struts instead.
In certain cases, there may be a combination of both shock absorbers and struts, with distinct placements for the rear and front wheels.
To distinguish between a strut and a shock absorber, it’s easiest to examine how they are attached. Struts are usually connected to the steering knuckle and have a complete assembly. In contrast, shock absorbers are not typically connected to the steering knuckle. In both cases, you will observe the shock or strut secured with multiple bolts.
Shock Absorber Replacement Cost
The replacement cost of the shock depends on the vehicle model, labor cost, and the part’s brand type.
When it comes to replacing shock absorbers, it’s advisable never to change just one; instead, replace them in pairs. The average replacement cost of a shock pair is between $180 to $800. This cost typically covers both the labor and the parts involved.
The average cost of a single shock absorber is from $40 to $180, depending on factors like performance level and the type of vehicle you own. It is evident that there’s potential for savings if you decide to install them yourself. But the shock absorber replacement is not a simple process, which is why you might expect to pay an average of $140 to $400 to a professional for replacement.
Shock Absorber Maintenance Tips
To prevent your shocks from failing, it is advisable to apply the following measures:
- Schedule annual or 15,000-mile suspension inspections by a mechanic to proactively detect potential issues and address them promptly.
- Regularly monitor and adjust tire pressures to reduce suspension wear. Perform monthly pressure checks and assess tires during significant weather changes.
- Practice smooth driving habits to minimize the strain on your shocks. Rough driving accelerates shock wear, often leading to symptoms of damage.
- Reduce excessive braking, especially in stop-and-go traffic, to lessen the strain on your suspension. Seek alternative routes for a smoother and more consistent driving experience, or apply gradual braking techniques.
- Ensure compatibility when purchasing replacement shock absorbers by having the necessary specifications readily available for reference.
How to test Shock Absorbers
FAQs
What is the function of Shocks?
The main function of the shocks is to reduce and control the compression and recovery of your suspension and springs, effectively managing and restraining undesired spring movement.
What happens when the shocks go bad?
The shocks of a vehicle are essential for ensuring consistent tire contact with the road surface while driving. As the shocks become faulty, their ability to control and maneuver the vehicle becomes challenging. You may experience increased braking distances, unnecessary vibration in your steering wheel, unusual noise, and squatting, ultimately leading to diminished control over the driving.
Is it safe to drive with bad shocks?
Driving with a bad shock is not safe. Delaying the replacement of failing shock absorbers might not seem critical, but it’s a situation that shouldn’t be postponed. When shock absorbers lose their effectiveness, you risk losing control of your car, potentially placing yourself in a hazardous condition. Furthermore, neglecting bad shocks may exacerbate suspension problems if left unaddressed.
How long does it take to replace bad shocks?
If you contact a professional mechanic for your vehicle’s shock replacement, it will usually take approximately two to three hours to replace it. But additional costs may arise if there are complications in removing or installing the shocks. If you decide to replace them yourself, the process may take longer due to necessary tools limitations and the absence of professional skills.
How long does a shock absorber last?
The typical lifespan of a shock absorber is from 50,000 to 100,000 miles, though some high-performance models may offer extended lifespan. However, the maintenance and your way of driving highly affect the service life of the shocks. Aggressive driving or frequent traveling on bumps or uneven roads can lead to faster wear and tear. Regular inspections are advisable to monitor wear and tear.
What happens if I don’t replace a bad shock?
Neglecting to replace a worn shock can lead to poor performance of your braking system. The diminished performance of shocks and struts can negatively impact your vehicle’s braking system. This can result in extended stopping distances, a critical concern in emergency braking scenarios, and an increased risk of skidding, especially on wet road surfaces.
How do I know if my shocks are bad?
When the shocks go bad, they produce different symptoms, such as increased vehicle stopping distance, rear-end squatting during acceleration, excessive bouncing as your vehicle encounters bumps, a loud scraping sound when passing over speed bumps, or nosediving during braking. These indicators serve as potential signals of the need for shock or strut replacement.
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