A shock absorber is designed to help hold your tires on the ground as that as a driver you can maintain control of the car even on bumpy roads. Struts and shocks have the same design, the only difference is that the weight of the vehicle is exerted on the struts itself while a shock is a link between two suspension parts. Shocks consist of reserve tubes filled with hydraulic fluid and pressure cylinders with pistons to help keep the tires on the ground.
Shock absorbers are an essential component of your vehicle and require constant maintenance for best performance and safety. So, how will you know that your shock absorber is failing? Here is deep dive into some of the signs that your shock absorber needs replacement.
- Swerving Or Nose Diving When Braking
If the piston inside the shock is wearing out, then it cannot control the hydraulic fluid and even a slight movement of the steering wheel or brake application causes an uncontrolled movement of the piston inside the pressure cylinder. This means to say you make a left turn the weight of the vehicle will shift harder to the right during the turn which when corrected by the driver it cases a swerve. Also, when you brake, the weight of the vehicle will shift with go further forward causing an unexpected nose dive.
- Vehicle Vibrates When Driving
Experts at https://www.pedders.com.au/ suggest that a wearing piston causes uncontrolled fluid movement within the cylinder; thereby a slight bump on the road causes an overreaction. You will notice this with your hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle’s wheels will be vibrating a lot.
- Uneven Tire Wear
Worn out shock absorber cannot keep the vehicle firmly on the ground. This results in slight bounces and vibrations on the road surface. With constant bouncing and vibrations, the part of the tire that is in direct contact with the ground will wear at an alarming rate compared to the other parts, causing uneven tire wear. The contact area will show as excessively worn patches in the treat.
- Braking Takes Longer Than Usual
Besides nose diving when braking, it also takes a bit longer to for the vehicle to take up all the piston rod length if the fluid movement is not controlled. This adds time and extends the stopping distance required for the vehicle to come to a standstill
- Leaking Hydraulic Fluid
In some cases, you might notice a leaking fluid running from the areas surrounding the shaft to the ground. This can be as a result of worn-out shocks or a punctured cylinder. The loss of hydraulic fluid results in the loss of functionality of the shock. If unchecked there will be less and less fluid in the cylinder for the piston to work with causing further damage.
Conclusion
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, it is recommended you get spares from trusted vendors, such as pedders.com.au/ to have your shocks professionally checked and replaced. The professionals will advise you on the conditions of your suspension and give you the best quote for replacement.