How to Check the Condition of Your Shocks

The shocks on your car help your car to drive safely. The shocks help the tires to maintain contact with the road. Having worn shocks can make your car unsafe. It is important to regularly check your shocks and replace as needed.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Begin by applying your weight to the bumper of your car. Push down firmly. Watch as the car rises back up. If your car goes higher than it originally was and begins to bounce, you may need to replace your shocks.

2. Narrow down which shocks are bad by checking each corner of car of car separately. Push down above the wheel of the car and watch. If the car rises quickly back up and then settles down your shock should be okay.

3. Remove a shock from your car to test it individually. You can do this by removing the car tire and then removing the shock absorber from the car. You may need to use a crowbar to remove it. Start by removing the bottom half and then the top half.

4. Test the shock absorber by pushing down on the shock absorber and then letting it spring back up. If it does not spring up pretty quickly then you need to replace it.

5. Replace any broken or old shocks.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not comfortable changing a tire or removing the shock, you would be better off taking your car into a mechanic. This would save you the cost of a tow once you have removed the shock absorber. They can be difficult to reinstall.