{"id":1856,"date":"2019-11-06T08:46:03","date_gmt":"2019-11-06T15:46:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/?p=1856"},"modified":"2022-03-24T08:01:06","modified_gmt":"2022-03-24T14:01:06","slug":"bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Symptoms of Bad Shock Absorbers (and Replacement Cost)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The function of shock absorbers is to make sure the tires of your vehicle stay on the ground consistently. They do this by managing how the suspension and springs move.<\/p>\n<p>This allows your tires to always be making contact with the road whether driving straight, cornering, going over hills, or driving on a bumpy road. All the <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/causes-of-car-vibration\/\">vibrations and shakiness<\/a> from driving on such a road get absorbed by a vehicle&#8217;s springs and shock absorbers, hence the name.<\/p>\n<p>Do not confuse a <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/difference-between-shock-and-strut\/\">shock absorber versus a strut<\/a> because they have differences. The strut is built into the structure of the suspension system while the shock absorber connects two parts of the suspension together. In other words, all the vehicle\u2019s weight is placed on top of the strut and not the shock absorber.<\/p>\n<p><em>Read Also: <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-strut-mount-symptoms\/\">5 Signs of Strut Mount Failure<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" area-label=\"ez-toc-toggle-icon-1\"><label for=\"item-639b0432b4393\" aria-label=\"Table of Content\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #23627c;color:#23627c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #23627c;color:#23627c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"item-639b0432b4393\"><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-visibility-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#What-is-a-Shock-Absorber\" title=\"What is a Shock Absorber?\">What is a Shock Absorber?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#Top-6-Bad-Shock-Absorber-Symptoms\" title=\"Top 6 Bad Shock Absorber Symptoms\">Top 6 Bad Shock Absorber Symptoms<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#1-Knocking-Noise\" title=\"#1 \u2013 Knocking Noise\">#1 \u2013 Knocking Noise<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#2-Vibrations\" title=\"#2 \u2013 Vibrations\">#2 \u2013 Vibrations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#3-Fluid-Leak\" title=\"#3 \u2013 Fluid Leak\">#3 \u2013 Fluid Leak<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#4-Swerving\" title=\"#4 \u2013 Swerving\">#4 \u2013 Swerving<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#5-Brakes-React-Slowly\" title=\"#5 \u2013 Brakes React Slowly\">#5 \u2013 Brakes React Slowly<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#6-Uneven-Tire-Wear\" title=\"#6 \u2013 Uneven Tire Wear\">#6 \u2013 Uneven Tire Wear<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#Shock-Absorber-Replacement-Cost\" title=\"Shock Absorber Replacement Cost\">Shock Absorber Replacement Cost<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/#Can-You-Drive-With-a-Faulty-Shock-Absorber\" title=\"Can You Drive With a Faulty Shock Absorber?\">Can You Drive With a Faulty Shock Absorber?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-a-Shock-Absorber\"><\/span>What is a Shock Absorber?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Commonly referred to as a &#8220;shock&#8221;, a shock absorber is a suspension component which is responsible for controlling the up\/down motion of a vehicle&#8217;s wheels.<\/p>\n<p>While springs are what mainly handle the energy absorbed from bumps in the road, without shock absorbers, your vehicle would continue to bounce on the springs for a time after hitting a bump.<\/p>\n<p>Shock absorbers absorb this unwanted spring motion. This process is known as dampening and it&#8217;s critical unless you want to drive with very little control.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top-6-Bad-Shock-Absorber-Symptoms\"><\/span>Top 6 Bad Shock Absorber Symptoms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One or more shock absorbers can eventually go bad and ultimately fail to work. A lot of people have trouble figuring out which one has gone bad when strange symptoms arise. Below are six of the most commons signs that could indicate you have a faulty shock absorber.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-Knocking-Noise\"><\/span>#1 \u2013 Knocking Noise<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-505095\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/noise-driving.jpg\" alt=\"rattling noise\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/noise-driving.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/noise-driving-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/noise-driving-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>When going over various bumps, speed bumps, or potholes and your hear a knocking sound, it likely means you have worn shock absorbers. The noise may be the meal coil springs actually hitting your car&#8217;s chassis.<\/p>\n<p>The points on each end of the shock absorber contain rubber bushings. All it would take is for a crack to form in the rubber bushing and it will result in a tapping or knocking sound that you can hear each time you hit a bump while driving.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-Vibrations\"><\/span>#2 \u2013 Vibrations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503173\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/steering-wheel-shakes-2.jpg\" alt=\"steering wheel shakes\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/steering-wheel-shakes-2.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/steering-wheel-shakes-2-200x112.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/steering-wheel-shakes-2-100x56.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The shock absorber has valves and piston seals inside of it. If either one of them gets too worn, the flow of fluid won\u2019t be controlled, and it will move through the piston seal and\/or valve.<\/p>\n<p>Once that happens, the <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/5-causes-of-steering-wheel-shakes\/\">steering wheel will vibrate<\/a> each time you drive over a bump, regardless of how big or small it is.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Fluid-Leak\"><\/span>#3 \u2013 Fluid Leak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503496\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-fluid-puddle.jpg\" alt=\"puddle of brake fluid under car\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-fluid-puddle.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-fluid-puddle-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-fluid-puddle-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The shock absorber\u2019s body has seals to protect it from leaking. After a while, these seals will start to leak fluid along the side of the shock absorber\u2019s body until it falls on the ground.<\/p>\n<p>If the shock loses too much fluid, then it won\u2019t be able to function properly.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-Swerving\"><\/span>#4 \u2013 Swerving<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503660\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/car-jerks-when-accelerating.jpg\" alt=\"car jerks when accelerating\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/car-jerks-when-accelerating.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/car-jerks-when-accelerating-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/car-jerks-when-accelerating-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you step on the brake pedal while turning, you may experience swerving or nose diving. When the shock absorber is faulty, the weight of your car will move in the opposite direction while you\u2019re turning.<\/p>\n<p>This will cause you to swerve and it will take more work just to fix the turn toward the direction you want to go.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-Brakes-React-Slowly\"><\/span>#5 \u2013 Brakes React Slowly<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503494\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-pedal-to-floor.jpg\" alt=\"brake pedal to floor\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-pedal-to-floor.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-pedal-to-floor-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/brake-pedal-to-floor-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you step on the brake pedal and your car takes a while to slow down and stop, then there&#8217;s a possibility your shock absorber might be faulty.<\/p>\n<p>This could arise from the length of the piston rod not being taken up fast enough by the vehicle. So, the vehicle needs more time to complete this task.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6-Uneven-Tire-Wear\"><\/span>#6 \u2013 Uneven Tire Wear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-503610\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tire-wear.jpg\" alt=\"uneven tire wear\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tire-wear.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tire-wear-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/tire-wear-200x112.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Since a bad shock absorber will cause your tires to be unevenly placed on the road, your car will begin to bounce as you drive on it.<\/p>\n<p>Only certain areas of your tire will actually be touching the road, which will result in these areas becoming more worn than the areas which are not touching the road. Therefore, you will have uneven tire wear, whether it be on the <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/inside-tire-wear\/\">inside<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/outside-tire-wear\/\">outside<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Related:&nbsp; <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/symptoms-of-unbalanced-tires\/\">Common Symptoms of Unbalanced Tires<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shock-Absorber-Replacement-Cost\"><\/span>Shock Absorber Replacement Cost<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-504452\" src=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/shock-absorber-replacement-cost.jpg\" alt=\"shock absorber replacement cost\" width=\"720\" height=\"263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/shock-absorber-replacement-cost.jpg 720w, https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/shock-absorber-replacement-cost-100x37.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you discovered that you have a bad shock absorber, you will need to replace it as soon as possible. Since shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs, expect to pay somewhere around $250 to $580 in total.<\/p>\n<p>A single shock absorber will cost anywhere from $50 to $140, depending on the make and model of your vehicle so for the pair, you&#8217;re looking at $100 to $280 in parts.<\/p>\n<p>The labor costs associated with replacing a pair of shock absorbers will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 to $300, depending on the hourly rate of the shop or mechanic as well as the ease of access on the particular vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>While it&#8217;s not too expensive of a procedure, make sure you get the shock absorbers replaced promptly before more significant damage occurs to your vehicle.<\/p>\n<p><em>See Also:&nbsp; <a href=\"http:\/\/cartreatments.com\/average-shock-and-strut-replacement-cost\/\">Average Shock and Strut Replacement Cost<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can-You-Drive-With-a-Faulty-Shock-Absorber\"><\/span>Can You Drive With a Faulty Shock Absorber?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Unless a shock absorber completely fails, you can usually drive with it in the early stages of it wearing down although replacing it (and the one on the other side of the axle) should be done as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>BUT, certain symptoms above have a greater urgency for you to stop driving right away. Leaking fluid and any symptom which causes less driving control should cause you to stop driving until you get your shocks replaced.<\/p>\n<p>Ignoring this can put you and others in immediate danger while on the road due to a sudden loss of control.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The function of shock absorbers is to make sure the tires of your vehicle stay on the ground consistently. They do this by managing how the suspension and springs move. This allows your tires to always be making contact with &#8230; <a title=\"6 Symptoms of Bad Shock Absorbers (and Replacement Cost)\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/bad-shock-absorber-symptoms-replacement-cost\/\" aria-label=\"More on 6 Symptoms of Bad Shock Absorbers (and Replacement Cost)\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1002,"featured_media":504450,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no"},"categories":[100330],"tags":[100379,226],"modified_by":"Mark Stevens","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1856"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1002"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1856"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1856\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/504450"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cartreatments.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}