Suspension System Repair: How To Diagnose & Replace Shock Absorbers Part 1

If your vehicle has an abnormally rough ride or seems to bounce excessively, then the cause may be defective or worn out shock absorbers or struts. A simple way to test for this is by bouncing each corner of the vehicle, one at a time.

The vehicle should be parked on a hard surface such as concrete or pavement for this test. Simply rock each corner up and down and then release quickly. If the corner which you are testing continues to bounce more than 1-1/2 to 2 times upon release, then it is likely that the shock or strut for that corner is worn out or defective.

The purpose of the shock absorbers on your vehicle is to dampen vibrations which are created by the springs in the suspension system. Left unchecked, these springs would expand and contract very quickly and continuously, resulting in a very rough ride indeed.

As a result of many cycles of up and down motion and the resulting dampening process, the shock absorbers eventually wear out and need to be replaced. There is no other fix.

For vehicles which were built within the last 30 years or so, shock absorbers will generally be one of two basic types – either individual shocks which attach to the vehicle’s frame and suspension, or units which are an integral part of a suspension strut such as a MacPherson or Chapman strut. And to further complicate the issue, some vehicles use struts in the front and individual shocks in the rear. If your vehicle is thus equipped, then you can probably replace the rear shocks yourself, but replacing the struts in front requires special tools and techniques and is best done professionally.

This article will outline the necessary steps which are needed to replace shock absorbers of the individual type. Many cars, trucks, and SUVs both new and old use these types of absorbers on the front, rear or both.

In part 2 of this series you will learn how to identify struts and shock absorbers, and how to prepare for the replacement job. Go To Part 2