Shock Absorber Replacement

Categories:Suspension (inc Steering), Tyres

What is the Shock Absorber all about?

Shock absorbers are the heavy-duty hydraulic "dampers" that keep your car's tyres firmly planted on the road. While your car’s springs handle the weight of the vehicle, the shocks control the energy of those springs, preventing your car from bouncing like a pogo stick after every bump. They are cylindrical containers filled with oil or gas, using an internal piston to turn the kinetic energy of a bump into heat. In South Africa, where road surfaces can change from smooth tarmac to corrugated gravel in an instant, healthy shocks are vital for maintaining steering control, reducing braking distances, and ensuring a comfortable ride for you and your passengers.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Shock Absorber?

The "Pogo Stick" Effect: Your car continues to bounce several times after hitting a bump or dip in the road.
Nosediving and Squatting: The front of the car "dives" toward the ground when you brake hard, or the rear "squats" deeply when you accelerate.
Visible Oil Leaks: If you see wet, oily residue coating the outside of the shock absorber body, the internal seals have failed.
Uneven Tyre Wear: Known as "cupping" or "scalloping," where small bald patches appear around the tyre tread because the wheel is literally bouncing off the road.
Increased Braking Distance: Worn shocks allow the car's weight to shift forward too aggressively, which can increase your stopping distance by up to 20%.

How it's done:

Verify that the shock absorbers are bad.
Remove and replace the faulty shock absorbers.
Inspect the suspension system for any other worn or damaged parts.
Test drive vehicle.
Unstable, bouncy ride.
Tyres losing contact with the road.
Hard impact when you drive over a bump.
Leaking fluid.

Keep in mind:

Verify that the shock absorbers are bad.
Remove and replace the faulty shock absorbers.
Inspect the suspension system for any other worn or damaged parts.
Test drive vehicle.
Unstable, bouncy ride.
Tyres losing contact with the road.
Hard impact when you drive over a bump.
Leaking fluid.

Pricing

Pricing varies based on your vehicle

Service Info

Typical Duration: 2 hours
Diagnostic Required: Yes

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