How do you know when it is time to change your shock absorbers

 

One of the hardest decisions you have to make with your car is to change your shock absorbers.

 

Known also as struts, it is important that you replace them when the wear and tear becomes apparent or you would be compromising your safety and comfort when driving. Typically, the absorbers work in such a way that it dampens the compression of the suspension springs so that it would minimize bouncing.

In most ways, the struts are used to soften and prevent any excessive rebounds and to improve better handling of your car on the road which means that your car is enjoying the best comfort when in motion. This means that it performs better when braking as well as when you are going through some bumpy roads, which is very common in Malaysian roads.

If your shocks are not working properly, you might be jeopardizing the safety of yourself and your passengers which might cause you to lose control. So, you must be well aware of when you should change them and how to tell when is the right time to do so. If you ask the mechanic in the workshop, if they are honest with you they will tell you the truth but some would tell you to do so even when it is not time yet.

You can do a simple test by first grabbing hold of the corner of your bumper and then push down as hard as you can. Take note that the bumper should drop down and then get back up before going down again to its original position. If it does not or this motion repeats more than once, then that corner needs replacement. Do this on all corners of your car. If you hear squeaky sounds each time you crosses a bump, then have it checked and perhaps you only need to replenish the grease. If possible, do not wait and have them changed if required in the soonest time possible.