{"id":1294,"date":"2019-06-27T01:58:38","date_gmt":"2019-06-27T08:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=1294"},"modified":"2026-02-18T01:32:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T09:32:01","slug":"faulty-shock-absorber-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/faulty-shock-absorber-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Symptoms of Bad Shock Absorbers"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1294_951e7a-f0 inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-8ef8ea  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-4406fa\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading1294_86f9f6-6b\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A bouncy ride, irregular tire wear, and poor handling are common signs of worn or damaged shock absorbers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&rsquo;s never a good idea to drive with failing shocks because you risk causing more damage to other components.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Replacement shock absorbers can cost anywhere between $200 and $800.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The roads we use aren&rsquo;t always perfect. Daily abuse, exposure to the sun, and weather causes ruts, cracks, and potholes. Car manufacturers deal with the challenge posed by such road conditions by equipping vehicles with a suspension system that uses springs to allow the wheels to ride over bumps and through dips and holes, insulating the vehicle body from sudden movement and noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But springs alone won&rsquo;t do the job. Without some kind of damping mechanism at each corner of the vehicle, the body would simply bounce until the spring oscillations faded after one or more wheels passed over a dip or through a pothole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, shock absorbers are a key part of the suspension system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And when your shock absorbers go bad, you&rsquo;re definitely bound to notice. But just in case you don&rsquo;t know what to look for, we&rsquo;ll discuss some of the most common signs of faulty or failing shock absorbers.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1294_de3f8d-4d kb-section-dir-vertical kb-section-sm-dir-vertical inner-column-1 pro-tip-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:20px;padding-right:32px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, calc(10% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)))minmax(0, calc(90% - ((var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem ) * 1 )\/2)));}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.00;}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-top-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-top-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:28px;padding-right:16px;padding-bottom:25px;padding-left:16px;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:px;}.kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1294_7a93e5-51 alignnone pro-tip-wrap wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-right-golden kt-mobile-layout-right-golden kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{min-height:45px;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:0px;column-gap:0px;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}}@media all and (min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:row;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > *, .kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-image, .kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > figure.wp-block-kadence-image{margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;}.kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image-is-ratio-size{flex-grow:1;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1294_e1e14a-df kb-section-dir-horizontal kb-section-md-dir-horizontal inner-column-1 pro-tip-item1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:45px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0 figure{max-width:45px;}.kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0 .image-is-svg, .kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1294_cde4ee-b0\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/f_auto,dpr_auto,q_auto,c_pad\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/protip\/services-icon\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img\"><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column1294_59573c-67 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1294_59573c-67 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1294_59573c-67 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1294_59573c-67 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1294_59573c-67 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1294_59573c-67 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1294_59573c-67{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1294_59573c-67 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1294_59573c-67 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1294_59573c-67 inner-column-2 pro-tip-item2\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"protip-desc\">\n\t<div class=\"help-tip\">\n\t\t<p><strong>Pro Tips<\/strong> are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n    <div class=\"help-caption\">\n        <p>\n            <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong>\n            Earlier suspension systems totally depended on the springs to hold the car at the proper height and only used the shock absorbers as dampers, but newer gas-charged shock absorbers actually help the springs maintain proper curb height.\n        <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bad Shock Absorber Symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/best-shocks-for-lifted-trucks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"shock absorbers\">shock absorbers<\/a> are subject to abuse, especially over extremely beaten terrain. Although developments have made them better than the options decades ago, shocks can still face wearing and issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some common signs of bad shock absorbers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bouncy ride<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Worn out shocks can make your car&rsquo;s springs bounce up and down more than what is considered normal. The result is a rougher-than-usual ride when driving over bumps and an extremely uncomfortable car. Take ten seconds to watch this video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bad Shocks\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YB0kgolh9co?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"article-search-widget\">\n<div class=\"cp-search\">\n<div align=\"center\">\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/w_auto,dpr_auto\/carparts\/logos\/badge_wordmark\/full_color\/CP_LOGO_COLOUR_RGB\" alt=\"CarParts.com\" width=\"300\" height=\"56\">\n<\/div>\n<form id=\"cpsearchform\" name=\"cpsearchform\" action=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/search\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\" accept-charset=\"character_set\" aria-label=\"search CarParts.com\">\n    <input type=\"text\" class=\"keyword\" name=\"q\" placeholder=\"Search for parts on CarParts.com\" value=\"\" aria-label=\"Search CarParts.com\"><input type=\"submit\" class=\"btn-search\" value=\"Search\" aria-label=\"Search\">\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unusual noises<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Shocks that are loose or have worn mounting bushings can create a clunking or banging noise while going over bumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fluid leaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One reason why the fluid depletes from inside your shocks is due to a leak. A hydraulic fluid leak can happen to any shock absorber and should never go ignored. Fluid can easily be seen running down the sides of the shock absorber&rsquo;s shell casing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2007-ford-expedition-right-strut-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"close up shot of a leaking 2007 ford expedition right strut\" class=\"wp-image-100948\" style=\"width:576px;height:1024px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2007-ford-expedition-right-strut-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2007-ford-expedition-right-strut-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2007-ford-expedition-right-strut-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2007-ford-expedition-right-strut-150x267.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2007-ford-expedition-right-strut.jpg 844w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The right strut on this 2007 Expedition began leaking after it was raised on the lift. This is something nobody could have predicted but it happened, and the strut had to be replaced. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Irregular tire wear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You might be wondering what bad shocks have to do with your tires. Your car has shocks to control your wheels from bouncing due to the springs&rsquo; reaction from bumps. Faulty dampers cause the tire to bounce off of the ground harder. On the drive wheels particularly, when a tire almost bounces free of the pavement, it &ldquo;skins&rdquo; just a bit of tread off with each bounce. As a result, the tire often develops high and low spots in the tread, known as cupping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reduced handling and braking ability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bad shocks may cause your car to tip more to one side or the other when turning. Sway bars tend to mitigate this, but shocks, springs, and suspension design in general also work to prevent body roll. One of the benefits of strut suspension is that the vehicle&rsquo;s center of gravity is lowered, making it more difficult to roll over during aggressive evasive maneuvers. Electronic stability systems help by applying the brakes on a single wheel to prevent the driver from losing control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>One of the benefits of strut suspension is that the vehicle&rsquo;s center of gravity is lowered, making it more difficult to roll over during aggressive evasive maneuvers.<\/p>\n<cite>&ndash;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\">Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a Shock Absorber?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Springs alone can&rsquo;t handle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/states-with-the-worst-roads\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"bumps and potholes\">bumps and potholes<\/a> because they&rsquo;ll compress and expand uncontrollably due to the laws of physics. The vehicle, depending on design, tends to &ldquo;bottom out&rdquo; going over hard bumps, and shock absorbers mitigate (but don&rsquo;t eliminate) this issue. That&rsquo;s why there are soft rubber bumper points as part of the suspension to help deal with it when it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"956\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shock-absorbers-illustration-956x1024.jpg\" alt=\"illustration of how shock absorbers work\" class=\"wp-image-100949\" style=\"width:956px;height:1024px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shock-absorbers-illustration-956x1024.jpg 956w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shock-absorbers-illustration-280x300.jpg 280w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shock-absorbers-illustration-768x823.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shock-absorbers-illustration-150x161.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/shock-absorbers-illustration.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 956px) 100vw, 956px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Looking at this illustration, you can get the basic idea of how shock absorbers work. The oil is forced to move through small holes in the plate that is attached to the moveable rod, and since the shock shell is thick and the oil moves slowly, the damping effect happens automatically. | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Shock absorbers keep the spring from bouncing excessively through the dampening process, which transforms the spring&rsquo;s kinetic energy into thermal energy. To dissipate this heat, dampers are typically filled with hydraulic fluid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without shocks, your car will continue to bounce until it dissipates the energy from the impact of hitting a bump. Excessive spring movement will cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Damage to your tire&rsquo;s sidewall and tread can happen when you hit a deep pothole and your faulty shocks cause the tire to scrape your car&rsquo;s fender liner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In short, shock absorbers keep your car maneuverable despite irregularities on the surface of the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2 Types of Shock Absorbers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Different suspension system designs, and varying vehicle applications, resulted in the invention of two different shock absorber types. There are two main types of shocks: mono-tube and twin-tube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both have different variations to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Mono-tube<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A mono-tube shock absorber has all of its components confined inside a single tube. It consists of a piston valve, a shell that acts like a cylinder, and hydraulic oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mono-tube shock absorbers have a floating piston that compresses the oil and lets it pass through the piston valves. This setup allows the shock absorber to compress slower over tiny bumps and faster with bigger ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Twin-tube<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The twin-tube damper is the most common type of shock absorber and is relatively inexpensive compared to the mono-tube. It features two cylinders; one acting as the shell and the other as the inner tube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The inner tube houses the piston valve and oil reservoir, while the outer shell holds the oil being pushed by the piston valve and the low-pressure gas. The tiny holes in the piston, as well as the presence of a base valve, restricts the flow of oil entering the outer tube to better control the wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Twin-tubes tend to overheat due to the rapid movement of the piston over very bumpy terrains. The heat causes the oil to foam, which then lessens its effectiveness in dampening the springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I Drive with a Bad Shock Absorber?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving when there are issues with your car is never the smartest idea, but if you can put up with all the issues described above, there&rsquo;s no real danger other than the increased tendency for the vehicle to roll over. So technically, you can still drive with worn of faulty shocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shock absorber replacements roughly cost around $200 to $800, while performance shocks typically cost upwards of $1,500. Still, these prices are relatively less expensive than having to deal with multiple problems that could arise after failing to address the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to Get a Replacement Shock Absorber<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A bad shock absorber has the potential to cause a lot of trouble, from uneven tire wear and bumpy rides to poor handling and braking. On the bright side, you can prevent these issues by getting a shock absorber replacement from CarParts.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You don&rsquo;t need to leave your house to get a replacement shock absorber. Just visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"CarParts.com\">CarParts.com<\/a> and enter your ride&rsquo;s year, make, and model into the vehicle selector to view compatible parts. Our parts are sourced from the best manufacturers in the industry to guarantee their quality. And to ensure fast shipping, our warehouses are strategically located all across the US. If you have questions, our round-the-clock customer service team is always ready to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shock absorbers are crucial to your vehicle&rsquo;s performance, so it&rsquo;s best to replace them immediately when they&rsquo;re faulty. Take a look at our high-quality collection of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/shock-absorber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"shock absorbers\">shock absorbers<\/a> at CarParts.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"shop-project\">\n\n    <h2>Shop this Project<\/h2>\n\n    <ul class=\"shop-project-list\">\n        \n        <li>\n            <div class=\"shop-project-item\">\n                <div class=\"stp-image-url\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repg280504-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label='&lt;img src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/set-repg280504-4_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Shocks and Loaded Struts &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side\" \/&gt;'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/set-repg280504-4_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Shocks and Loaded Struts &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side\"><\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"stp-desc\">\n                                            <p class=\"stp-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repg280504-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Shocks and Loaded Struts &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side\">TrueDrive &ndash; Shocks and Loaded Struts &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"stp-stars\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/q_auto,dpr_auto,f_auto\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/shop-project\/stars\/star-4.5.svg\" alt=\"4.5 Stars\">\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-price\">$209.99<\/p>\n                    \n                    <p><small>Price and rating may change from the time content is published.<\/small><\/p>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-cta\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repg280504-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Shop Now\">Shop Now<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n        \n        <li>\n            <div class=\"shop-project-item\">\n                <div class=\"stp-image-url\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repd280518-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label='&lt;img src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/set-repd280518-4_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side Shock and Fully Loaded Strut, Four Wheel Drive, For Models without Air Suspension\" \/&gt;'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/set-repd280518-4_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side Shock and Fully Loaded Strut, Four Wheel Drive, For Models without Air Suspension\"><\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"stp-desc\">\n                                            <p class=\"stp-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repd280518-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side Shock and Fully Loaded Strut, Four Wheel Drive, For Models without Air Suspension\">TrueDrive &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side Shock and Fully Loaded Strut, Four Wheel Drive, For Models without Air Suspension<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"stp-stars\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/q_auto,dpr_auto,f_auto\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/shop-project\/stars\/star-4.5.svg\" alt=\"4.5 Stars\">\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-price\">$184.99<\/p>\n                    \n                    <p><small>Price and rating may change from the time content is published.<\/small><\/p>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-cta\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-repd280518-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Shop Now\">Shop Now<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n        \n        <li>\n            <div class=\"shop-project-item\">\n                <div class=\"stp-image-url\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-rd28050019-4-a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label='&lt;img src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/set-rd28050019-4-a_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side Shock and Fully Loaded Strut\" \/&gt;'><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/images\/set-rd28050019-4-a_1\" alt=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side Shock and Fully Loaded Strut\"><\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"stp-desc\">\n                                            <p class=\"stp-title\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-rd28050019-4-a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"TrueDrive &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side Shock and Fully Loaded Strut\">TrueDrive &ndash; Front and Rear, Driver and Passenger Side Shock and Fully Loaded Strut<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"stp-stars\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/q_auto,dpr_auto,f_auto\/carparts\/blog\/widgets\/shop-project\/stars\/star-4.5.svg\" alt=\"4.5 Stars\">\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-price\">$224.99<\/p>\n                    \n                    <p><small>Price and rating may change from the time content is published.<\/small><\/p>\n\n                                            <p class=\"stp-cta\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/details\/shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly\/truedrive\/set-rd28050019-4-a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Shop Now\">Shop Now<\/a>\n                        <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n            <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>The roads we use aren&rsquo;t always perfect. Daily abuse, exposure to the sun, and weather causes ruts, cracks, and potholes&#8230;. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/faulty-shock-absorber-symptoms\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":1303,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[295],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-1294","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"tag-shock-absorber-and-strut-assembly","9":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>5 Symptoms of Bad Shock Absorbers - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Shock absorbers restrict spring movement by converting kinetic energy to thermal energy. Don\u2019t let them wear; here are some signs you need to observe.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/faulty-shock-absorber-symptoms\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Symptoms of Bad Shock Absorbers - In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Shock absorbers restrict spring movement by converting kinetic energy to thermal energy. Don\u2019t let them wear; here are some signs you need to observe.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/faulty-shock-absorber-symptoms\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"In The Garage with CarParts.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-06-27T08:58:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-18T09:32:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/shutterstock_127465610.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"563\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team, Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/CarPartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@carpartscom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"CarParts.com Research Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/faulty-shock-absorber-symptoms\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.carparts.com\\\/blog\\\/faulty-shock-absorber-symptoms\\\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"$id\":\"1651\",\"name\":\"CarParts.com Research Team\",\"jobTitle\":\"Expert Automotive Writer\",\"description\":\"The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. 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