25 Sep 2021

The Definitive Guide To Shock Absorber In 2021

This is the ultimate guide to shock absorber in 2021 that answers all your questions about it - how it works, how important it is to your car, the warning signs of a failing shock absorber, and its replacement tips.

What Is A Shock Absorber?

Shock absorber is the reason why you don’t feel bouncing and shaking when you’re in your car.

According to Monroe, shock absorber is a device designed to absorb jolts and vibrations from the spring and tires of your vehicle.

It makes sure that the car tyres remain in contact with the road surface at all times to guarantee the safest control and braking response from your car. Without functioning shock absorbers, your tyres may lose contact with the road, reducing your ability to control the vehicle.

How Does It Work?

Shock absorbers are basically oil-filled cylinders.

It works by taking the movement of your suspension and converting it to heat. The heat is then dissipated into the atmosphere through the mechanism of heat exchange.

6 Symptoms Of A Failing Shock Absorber

Shock absorbers are like tennis shoes. They become worn over time.

If you started noticing one of these signs below, go for a complete vehicle check-up as soon as you can.

1. You feel your steering wheel vibrate while driving;

2. Your brakes take more time to stop the car;

3. You may notice your tyres are worn unevenly;

4. There’s fluid leaking from underneath your vehicle;

5. You may feel your vehicle shakes, rattles, and rocks a little too hard when you drive over road bumps;

6. Last but not least, your car swerves and dips when you’re applying your brakes.

On A Side Note

You can do a quick shock absorber 'bounce test' yourself if you’re having second thoughts. Here’s how.

With your car parked, press down on the front end of the vehicle and release. If more than a couple of bounces are required to calm the car, the shock absorbers might be worn.

You can repeat this test with the rear of the vehicle too.

Here's how you can do a quick check on detecting a defective shock absorber:

Shock Absorber Replacement & Selection Tips

If you’re looking to buy from a local auto parts supplier and send it to professional mechanics for replacement, do make sure their shock absorbers are compatible with both OEM and ISO 9001 standards.

At Saiko, our shock absorbers are designed to suit the very tough of road conditions and are covered with a full 1-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

Your car’s shock absorbers do more than contribute to a smooth ride. Replacing worn or bad shocks can improve vehicle handling and control, reduce premature tyre wear, and shorten the stopping distance.

Today, we’ve discussed what a shock absorber is, how it works, and the symptoms of a failing shock. By now, you should be able to identify the signs of a worn-out shock to get it repaired as soon as you realize it.

For more car care tips and advice, be sure to come back to the Saiko blog soon.

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The Definitive Guide To Shock Absorber In 2021