Your car’s suspension is responsible for keeping you both safe and comfortable on the road. You may not notice how hard the suspension is working, until it fails. Shock absorbers help your car to handle well and do exactly as their name suggests: absorb the shocks of bumps and dips in the road. In this blog, we explain what they do and how to tell when they may need to be replaced.
What do shock absorbers do?
Shock absorbers are designed to control the movement of your car’s suspension and springs. They work by damping the energy created when you drive over bumps, potholes, or uneven road surfaces, preventing excessive bouncing and ensuring your tyres maintain contact with the road. This improves handling, braking efficiency, and overall driving stability.
Without functioning shock absorbers, your car could become difficult to control, particularly in wet or icy conditions. Worn shocks can also lead to uneven tyre wear, reducing grip and increasing stopping distances.
Signs to look out for
Worn or faulty shock absorbers should be picked up at your MOT Test, but if you notice any of the following, it may be worth taking your car to your local garage and getting it checked out:
- Excessive bouncing – If you notice your car bouncing more after going over a bump or pothole.
- Uneven tyre wear – If you notice bald patches or uneven tread wear on your tyres.
- Poor handling – If your car feels unstable when cornering or sways excessively, it’s a sign that your suspension system isn’t working properly.
- Longer braking distances – Worn shocks can reduce braking efficiency by preventing tyres from maintaining proper road contact.
- Leaking fluid – Shock absorbers contain hydraulic fluid, and if you notice leaks around the shocks, they may need replacing.
- Knocking or clunking – If you hear strange noises when driving over bumps, the internal components of the shocks could be worn or damaged.
Shock absorber replacement
The cost of replacing shock absorbers depends on a range of factors, such as whether you need to replace one or both shock absorbers at the front or rear. The make and model of your car will make a difference too, as the cost largely comes down to labour costs, which will be determined by how hard it is to get the parts in question. In general, to replace a single shock absorber will usually cost between £80 and £150. For a pair of front or rear shocks, you can double that, and for a full set of shock absorbers, replacement may cost £300-£600. Shock replacement for luxury vehicles, high-performance vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) may be significantly higher.
Nobody likes having to get their car repaired, but driving without functioning shock absorbers affects braking distance as well as making it uncomfortable to drive. Regular maintenance will help to keep you and your passengers safe. If you’re looking for a local garage that you can trust, take a look at our directory of rated garages near you. For more advice, follow Trust A Garage on Facebook or Twitter.