Signs It's Time To Replace Your Shocks
Your vehicles shocks do more than provide you with a smooth ride. One of their primary purposes is to help you maintain control of the vehicle. When driving, the shocks are always in use, so like other components of your vehicle, with continuous use they will eventually become worn, which can make driving your vehicle uncomfortable and unsafe. Knowing the signs of failing shock absorbers will help you determine when it's time to replace them. Whether you have off-road, custom King shocks or mono-tube design (standard type) shocks, here are some signs that your vehicles shock absorbers are going bad.
Vibrations in the Steering Wheel
It is natural for the steering wheel to have some vibrations when you are driving on an uneven road surface, but the vibrations should stop as soon as you are driving on a smoother surface. If you are feeling vibrations in the steering wheel while driving on a smooth-surfaced road, you should have the shocks replaced as soon as possible because the shaking will become more intense and may cause you to lose control of the vehicle, especially if driving at highway speeds.
Tires Have Uneven Wear
The primary goal of shock absorbers is to keep the tires evenly on the ground. So if you notice uneven wear or bald patches on the tires, it typically means the tires are not making optimal contact with the road, which may be caused by worn shocks. When the shocks are worn, it causes the tires to lose a proper grip with the road, which results in only certain areas of the tires continuously coming in contact with the road. Over time, uneven wear on the tires may increase your risk of hydroplaning as well as increase the risk of having a sudden flat.
Swerving, Veering an Nose Diving
Shock absorbers have pistons, which help to control the pressure of movement. If the fluid in the piston leaks through the seal, applying even slight pressure to the brakes will cause extreme movement in the piston. The excess movement shifts the weight of your vehicle, causing it to swerve or nose dive by forcing the front weight of the vehicle down. If you notice the front end of your vehicle dipping, swerving, or veering when you apply the brakes, it is generally a sign of excessively worn shocks. This can be extremely dangerous, especially in wet weather, so it is important to replace the shocks as soon as possible.
Worn shocks don't happen overnight. They wear out over time, making it difficult to determine if they should be replaced. You can test the shocks while the car is parked by pressing down and then releasing the front end of your vehicle. If the vehicle bounces more than a couple of times or you have to push down on the vehicle to stop the shaking, the shocks are most likely worn. The best way to prevent the risk of an accident due to bad shocks is to routinely have the vehicle inspected. During an inspection, the technician will check for suspension-related problems, including damaged shocks.