Hassle-free rear shock absorber

What does a rear shock absorber do?

Shock absorbers are responsible for your vehicle's smooth drive over bumpy or uneven roads and are an essential part of your suspension system. Your shock absorbers are gas-filled tubes that are compressed by a piston, dissipating kinetic energy to provide a comfortable ride for you and your passengers, regulating the rebounding of the car.

How do I know if my shock absorbers need replacing?

The most common symptoms of faulty shock absorbers include knocking or bumping sounds in the suspension, the car dips over one wheel, you notice bumps in the road far easier than usual, your car bounces more, the car is less stable when cornering, or you may lose contact with the road over humps, bumps and bridges.

You may also notice oil or fluid appearing under your wheels.

How long does it take to replace shock absorbers?

The average shock absorber replacement takes between 1.5 and 4 hours. The time taken varies from car to car depending on how complicated they are to access. Other typical factors to affect the time taken are rusted bolts and ball joints that are difficult to separate.

Can I drive with bad shock absorbers?

Driving with a broken shock absorber isn't just uncomfortable; it can seriously affect the performance of your car. Your car will bounce around unlike it ever did before, impacting stopping distances, control, road grip and more. If you must drive it, to get it to a garage for repair, for example, you should never drive at high speeds, avoid sudden turns and also stopping abruptly.

Should I replace all 4 shock absorbers at the same time?

It's not always necessary, but shock absorbers should be replaced in pairs. Replacing a single shock absorber can create a difference in the way your car handles from one side to the other. In turn, that can cause problems controlling the vehicle, and endangering your safety. Your mechanic will advise you to the best outcome in your situation.

Ideally, it would great to change all 4 shock absorbers at the same time but isn't always an economical option.

What is the average life of a shock absorber?

The estimated lifespan of your shock absorbers runs to around 50k miles. We say 'estimated', as the typical type of driving your car undertakes can affect their wear considerably. A car that spends its life driving on bumpy back roads or country tracks will wear their shocks far faster than one that spends its life cruising super smooth motorway surfaces.

What noise do bad shock absorbers make?

You could hear a variety of sounds from your damaged or broken shock absorbers. You may hear groaning or squeaking, or perhaps a knocking sound. Groaning sounds tend to come from problems with the steering and suspension connections, where knocking noises tend to be made by worn or cracked bushings.