Following Symptoms of bad shock absorbers can be easily noticeable. Shock absorbers may get failed periodically according to road conditions and our driving skills. Also, there are some other factors which affect the shock absorber’s functioning.
• Steering Wheel vibrations are there suddenly after passing the bumps.
• Impactful noise while driving or in sudden bump.
• Hydraulic fluid leaks from the seal.
• Tire wear is observed in shock absorber failure conditions.
• Bad shocks affects on intended Driving Directions we want.
• Brake functions abnormally while stopping the vehicle suddenly.
6 Symptoms of Bad Shock Absorbers
Shock Absorbers are the main components in the Suspension System. If struts or coil spring gets failed then a lot of problems may arise in accordance with driving and comfort. There are many driving adversities like turning, stopping, going up and down, off-road conditions with which shocks should stand and work smoothly.
Though the whole weight of the vehicle is sustained by chassis, Shocks play an important role as maintain and drive that load smoothly to get a comfortable experience.
1 – Steering wheel Vibrations
Valve and piston arrangement is there in a strut. If this arrangement is gone wrong and if gets too worn then this problem arises. The flow of fluid is not maintained by them so while the vehicle goes badly on any bump then These small vibrations can be felt by the driver.
2 – Impactful Noise (like Knocking)
Speed breakers or bumps cause this type of noise. If shocks are failed then this knocking noise comes. This sounds like if we make an impact on something. Anyone, driver or passenger can hear this noise.
Rubbers and bushings are equipped between two metal surfaces of shocks at the top end. These bushings are also present over the strut.
The purpose behind the bushing arrangement is to avoid the clash between metal surfaces. If these bushings are worn out after a certain period of time, This knocking noise arises.
3 – Leaking fluid from the strut
Most of the time strut change or whole shocks assembly is changed due to leakage. Hydraulic fluid is there within the strut to minimize the impact and to make comfort against each bump.
If the shock absorber is failed then the main reason for getting failed is leaking that fluid from seals.
4 – Tire Wear (Uneven)
If uneven tire wear is observed for any tire then surely you may guess for shock absorber failure. Tires are not rotating properly aligned contact with the road if the shock absorber doesn’t work smoothly.
Tire treads should have the proper connecting and touching points to the road and in the case, if one of the shocks failed to work then tire starts to rotate with improper connection with the road which further results in uneven wear.
5 – Uncontrolled Driving (Swerve)
The weight of the car is properly maintained in driving by its suspension system. While we turn the vehicle, some brake should be applied to control that turn but if the vehicle has faulty shocks then weight goes in the opposite direction causes the swerve motion.
This makes uncontrolled driving and demands more effort to maintain that turn.
6 – Brake functions abnormally
Braking operation is smoothly done if the suspension of the vehicle maintains the load in running or stopping the condition.
In this case, all shockers must be in good condition otherwise when we press the brake pedal suddenly all vehicle’s weight is not controlled and the vehicle takes more distance to stop. One feels very frustrated if this happens.
