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Safety: When to replace shocks
WHEN TO REPLACE SHOCKS
Shock absorbers (or dampers) are a vital component of most vehicle suspension systems, and while a car may still drive with broken shocks, it can have very dangerous consequences.
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For the sake of this article we ’ll stick with the most popular form of shock absorber: the gasfilled damper. We will probably cover air ride, leaf springs and other systems at another time. BOUNCE
Press down firmly on a front corner of your car and gauge its reaction: ideally it should bounce back once and settle down immediately. If you can observe multiple sways or bounces, the shocks are probably due for replacement. This is a popular test because most car owners / drivers don ’t notice the gradual decay in ride or handling of their car; because it happens very slowly over a long period of time. Still, if you notice your car leaning or bouncing more than it should (while driving) it doesn ’t hurt to have the shocks checked by qualified experts.
VISIBLE DAMAGE
The most common sign of a damaged shock is leaking - check for an oily residue on the shock itself or on its bottom mounting. Once the shock leaks, it no longer functions as it was intended to and should be replaced as soon as possible. AGE
Some manufacturers promise extremely long shock absorber life spans but if yours have lost all their markings, stickers and possibly base colour, it may be wise to have them tested. EXTRA LOAD
Don ’t torture the poor things. If you ’ re hauling heavy loads or have modified your vehicle, you may need better shocks.
THE BASICS
• “Shock” is short for shock absorber or shock damper, and forms part of modern vehicle suspension. • The “ shock” usually sits inside a large metal spring: this “ coil over damper” setup is the most popular form of car suspension. • 4x4, heavy-duty and commercial vehicles sometimes have independent or multiple shock absorbers. • Luxury vehicles are often equipped with “ air ride ” which uses air bellows or bags instead of springs. • Steering mechanism also tend to have a shock, to cushion any hard blows.
