6 SURE SYMPTOMS OF BAD SHOCK ABSORBERS -

When the car has bad shock absorbers, it affects the car’s stability and driving performance.

The shock absorbers are a key component of your car’s suspension. They help absorb all of the bumps on the road and prevent the wheels from bouncing while you’re driving.

So, noticing this problem on time is very useful since it is a matter of safety. This article should help with that.

Besides this website, you can also watch videos on our YouTube channel, where we have many car-related videos that may help with maintenance, driving, etc.

SYMPTOMS OF BAD SHOCK ABSORBERS

1. THE RIDE IS BOUNCY

One of the most obvious symptoms of bad shock absorbers is a bouncy ride.

Instead of the car being stable and firm on the road while driving, it will float and bounce, especially if you, for instance, hit a pothole or speed bump.

At first, this is barely noticeable, but as the shock absorbers weaken, the ride becomes more and more bouncy.

To see another common reason for a bouncy ride, click here.

2. NOSE DIVES AND REAR SQUATS

The next symptom is that, when you brake or start driving the car, the nose dives or the rear of the car squats (depending on whether the front or rear suspension is bad).

In cases where both the front and rear suspension are faulty, both the dive and squat may happen at the same time.

The front dive is especially noticeable if you have to make an emergency braking, the nose will drastically go down.

3. THE CAR KEEPS SWINGING UP AND DOWN WHEN YOU ROCK IT

At this point, if you were to push down the front end of the car a couple of times, it would continue rocking up and down instead of immediately stopping.

The same goes for the back end of the car.

Also, this is a simple way to diagnose a shock absorber problem by yourself.

You may also hear a whizzing sound coming from the shock absorbers when rocking the car.

4. LESS CLEARANCE IN THE WHEEL ARCH

Another obvious symptom that you’ll easily notice is less clearance between the wheel and the wheel arch.

When the shock absorber is faulty, it usually leaks oil, causing the piston to sink. This means that the height of the strut assembly goes down.

In most cases, you’ll notice a bigger or smaller leak on the strut where the bad shock absorber is.

5. OIL LEAKS ON THE SHOCK ABSORBERS

Besides leaning, you may also notice leaks around the shock absorber and around it, on the strut.

This is also one more way to diagnose the problem. Just take a peek into the wheel arch; if you see oil leaks, the shock absorber is definitely bad and ready for replacement.

6. KNOCKING SOUND

Finally, you will hear a knocking sound coming from the suspension, especially when you go over speed bumps.

At first, the knocking will be barely noticeable; later, it will be present all the time. The noise will appear even on minor bumps and holes.

One more reason for a knocking sound from the front suspension is a bad tie rod. To read about that, click here.

CONCLUSION

Bad shock absorbers are one of those car problems where you have plenty of time to notice and solve the problem.

The best time to replace them is when you notice the bouncy ride. When you do notice, best try and rock the car up and down a bit like we’ve shown you.

If the car continues rocking, you should change them as soon as possible. At this point, you still have plenty of time to react.

Avoid getting the problem to the phase where the shock absorbers have leaked or where you hear the knocking sound.

At this point, the driving stability is in question. Also, know that the braking distance is much longer with bad shock absorbers.