How to check shock absorbers

The right shock absorbers in your car can be the difference between a confident, enjoyable drive and a difficult, stressful one. The suspension in your car does more than just smooth out the bumps you drive through day after day. Your vehicle's suspension is also critical to safe operation by preventing excessive bouncing and bouncing when cornering, and by helping your tires stay in constant contact with the road surface.

If your car rides rougher than it once did, the shock absorbers may be to blame. The shock absorbers are designed to absorb bumps and bumps in the road for a smooth and stable ride. You can check if they are worn out and if they need to be replaced.

Method 1 of 1: Conduct a Visual Inspection of Your Vehicle

Step 1: Look at your car from the front. Make sure it's on a level surface and check if one side appears to be lower than the other.

If any corner of the car is lower or higher than other corners of the car, you may have a seized or bent shock absorber that needs to be replaced.

Step 2: Click on the bumper. Press down on the corner of the front bumper and watch it move as you quickly release it.

If the car bounces more than once, the shock absorbers may have worn out.

If he bounces more than one and a half times, the blows are not good. This means that after you compress your car's suspension, it shouldn't bounce more than up, then down, then back to its original position.

Continue this check on all four corners of the car to check all shock absorbers.

Step 3: Inspect the tires. Look for uneven tread wear, which indicates worn shock absorbers. Plumage or cupping indicates a problem with the shock absorbers.

This includes patchy wear patches rather than wear on one side or the other.

If you notice uneven tread wear on your tires, contact a certified mechanic immediately to make sure your vehicle is not misaligned, which could be potentially dangerous.

Step 4: Inspect shock absorbers for leaks.. Drive your car onto the ramps and secure it in place.

• A warning: Always park your vehicle and apply the parking brake when your vehicle is on the ramp. Use wheel chocks or blocks to keep the wheels from moving.

Get under the bottom and look at the shock absorbers.

If you see oil dripping from them, this indicates that they are no longer working properly and should be replaced.

Sweating or a small amount of fluid around a fluid-filled cylinder is normal.

If your investigation points to worn shock absorbers, or if you are not comfortable checking them yourself, have a trusted mechanic like AvtoTachki check them for you as they may need to be replaced.

Shock absorbers may wear out sooner if you frequently travel over rough terrain, rough roads, or even potholes. Expect to replace them about every 50,000 miles.