Is It Time To Replace Your Car’s Shock Absorbers?
Your shocks (and struts) wear down with time. If you keep your vehicle long enough, they will eventually wear to the point they’ll need to be replaced. Otherwise, the quality of the ride will continue to decline. Worn shocks can also impact handling; not only might your vehicle require more distance to stop, but it may also become more difficult to control when taking sharp turns. Moreover, because worn shocks can place more pressure on your car’s suspension, they can cause premature tire wear.
We’ll explain the job of your shocks and struts below, including a common misunderstanding many consumers have regarding their replacement. You’ll learn how to check and test them, and know they are on the decline.
The Job Of Your Vehicle’s Shocks
You likely already know your shocks are largely responsible for improving ride quality. But you may be unaware about how they do so. When you drive, coil springs in the suspension system compress and expand, absorbing much of the road impact. For example, if you drive over a speed bump, the springs will compress to prevent your car from suddenly lurching upward. As you drive over the speed bump, the springs expand to prevent a huge bounce.
Your shocks help dampen the effect of your coil springs’ compressions and expansions. This is the reason your vehicle will bounce when the shocks become worn.
Many people assume when their shocks fail, they’ll begin to feel every bump and crack in the road. While this notion is partly true, it is based on a common misconception. Driving over bumps and cracks will typically produce bouncing, not hard lurching as if there is no suspension system. This is because the coil springs will continue to expand and contract.
How To Test Their Condition
So, when should you replace the shocks? There are three circumstances that warrant replacements, and all three are easy to identify. First, the shocks might be damaged; for example, the mounting hardware might be broken or corroded. This is easy to identify. Second, they might be leaking; you’ll be able to see hydraulic oil or a similar substance. Third, they could be worn.
You can test your shock absorbers for wear by doing a “bounce test.” This test has been used for more than a generation, and is still valid today. The proper way to do it is one corner of your vehicle at a time. Place enough pressure on the hull to cause the corner to move toward the ground. Then, release it. If the corner bounces once or twice, the shock is fine. If the corner bounces a third time, the shock should be replaced.
When you press down on the corner of your car, the coil springs compress and expand as explained earlier. Shocks in good condition will dampen their effect after one or two bounces.
What To Expect As They Become Less Effective
Severely worn shocks will not, by themselves, create a safety issue. You’ll still be able to control your vehicle. However, as already mentioned, you may require more distance and time to bring your car to a complete stop. In an emergency where you need to stop quickly, this may influence the likelihood you’ll be involved in a collision.
Also noted, your tires may begin to suffer premature wear if the shocks become worn. The wheels – and thus, your treads – will bounce excessively. This causes a cupping wear pattern to develop on the tires.
Another side effect is that your vehicle may start to sway back and forth. If you’re driving forward, this may not pose an issue. If, however, you’re taking a sharp turn on a wet road, the swaying may increase the likelihood of skidding.
Get into the habit of periodically checking your shocks for signs of leaking or damage. Also, if your vehicle is older, perform a bounce test every three or four months. Their deterioration is usually slow, and thus difficult to identify while driving.
