Shock absorbers: wear signs and handling impact
Shocks don’t make the car “soft” — they keep the tires in contact with the road. When shocks wear out, grip drops, stopping distances increase and handling becomes unpredictable.
Common signs of worn shocks
- Excessive bouncing after bumps
- Nose dive under braking, rear squat on acceleration
- Instability in corners, constant steering corrections
- Uneven or scalloped tire wear
Quick test: push down on a corner and release.
More than 1–2 rebounds usually means worn shocks.
What accelerates wear
- Rough roads and heavy impacts
- Constant heavy loads or towing
- Aging seals and fluid
- Rust and contamination
Why you shouldn’t delay
- Longer stopping distances
- Poor ABS and ESC performance
- Faster wear of other suspension parts
Practical advice
- Check shocks during major services
- Replace in pairs per axle
- Get an alignment after replacement
Log shock replacements (date + mileage)
Start free