Suspension shock absorber: common defects and their signs

1. Wear out.
   • The car body rolls from side to side during driving.
   • Abnormal noises and knocking sound are heard during driving.
   • Hits of metal to the car body are felt when the car is running over obstacles.
   • The car inclines forward or backward at accelerating or braking.
2. Rupture of the shock absorber rod seal.
   • Knocking sound is heard from the shock absorber during driving.
   • Car steerability worsened, the car is skidding when cornering.
   • Tyres wear out unevenly on different wheels.
   • Oil stains are noticeable on the shock absorber and near it.
3. Mechanical damages or corrosion of the shock absorber rod.
   • Car braking path increased.
   • Oil leakage from the shock absorber takes place.
   • Abnormal sound from the suspension is heard when accelerating and running over obstacles.

How to replace a suspension shock absorber?

It is highly unadvisable to perform shock absorber repair. In case of defects the component should be replaced. Replacement is recommended to be performed at a service station because the replacement process is rather laborious and requires special tools. Moreover, after finishing works it is necessary to readjust the wheel alignment angles, which can be performed only at a service station. Take into account that you should always replace both shock absorbers on one axle of the car. It is recommended to install new seals and dust boots when doing shock absorber replacement.

Ersetzen Sie die Stoßdämpfer als Set auf beiden Fahrzeugachsen.
Untersuchen Sie die Staubmanschetten des Stoßdämpfers gründlich und den Anschlagpuffer. Ersetzen Sie sie ggf. durch einen Satz.
Die durchschnittliche Lebensdauer beträgt: 100 000-120 000 km.

Types:

1. By charge type:
   • oil-charged shock absorbers;
   • gas- and oil-charged shock absorbers.
2. By design:
   • twin-tube shock absorbers;
   • mono-tube shock absorbers.
3. By mounting position:
   • right shock absorbers;
   • left shock absorbers;
   • shock absorbers that can be mounted on both sides.
4. By axle-related location:
   • front-axle shock absorbers;
   • rear-axle shock absorbers.