How to Tell if a Shock Is Worn Out
Worn out shocks and struts can seriously compromise the stability and performance of any vehicle. Shock absorbers are separate components from coil springs, while struts are integrated with the coil spring and attached to the integral knuckle of the wheels. While a visual inspection of the shock absorber can determine its need for replacement, it is not always the way to diagnose the suspension component. Worn shocks (and struts) can be diagnosed through a both a visual and physical inspection.
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Instructions
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1
Approach the vehicle (and place a knee on the left or right side of the front or rear bumper. Place as much weight on the knee as possible and jounce the vehicle three to four times. Remove the knee and watch the rebound of the suspension. If the vehicle is still rocking after two bounces or more, the shocks should be replaced.(This test is for a passenger vehicle only. It will not work well on a light to heavy duty truck or SUV because they have a stiffer coil or leaf spring suspension.)
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2
Test drive the vehicle. Telltale evidence of worn or faulty shocks is the vehicle's suspension bottoming out when going over bumps, nose-diving in the front end when braking, squatting rear-end when accelerating or noticeable side-to-side motion when taking corners (enough to compromise the steering ability and handling of the vehicle).
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3
Park the vehicle on a hard, flat surface and apply the parking brake.
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4
Hoist the front end of the vehicle upward with a jack and support the vehicle onto a jack stand; one side at a time to elevate the entire front axle.
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5
Inspect the coil or leaf springs for obvious signs of breakage or weakness while inspecting the shocks.
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6
Visually inspect the shaft of the shock absorber for obvious oil leaks that cover the shock. Shocks that have been leaking for a period of time may also have a coating of blackish colored sand and debris on the shaft of the shock. A leaking shock is an invalid test to ascertain the performance of the shock since you can't determine the amount of oil left inside the shaft. However, once a shock starts leaking, it is not going to stop and should be noted for future replacement.
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7
Perform Steps 4 and 6 for the rear axle.
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Tips & Warnings
When shocks or struts are in need of replacement, they should be replaced in pairs per axle to optimize the suspension and performance of the vehicle's handling.
References
- Photo Credit Shock absorber image by Neryman from Fotolia.com
