Changing Shock Absorber yourself–manuals and video tutorials

How do I tell if the shock absorbers are faulty?

This is indicated by changes in the car behaviour while driving. You’ll hear knocking and characteristic rattling sounds in the suspension, and the car body may sway from side to side, which is especially noticeable when driving on poor quality roads. The car handling is impaired, the braking distance increases, and the vehicle skids on corners. If you suspect a failure, the shock absorbers should be inspected. Often they get out of order due to loss of tightness, which is accompanied by streaks of oil on their surface. If you cannot see any leaks, take your car to a garage, as thorough diagnosing is only possible using special equipment.

Can I use a car with faulty shock absorbers?

It is highly inadvisable to operate a car when these components are defective because this directly affects road safety. For example, when driving over bumps, a wheel with a bad shock absorber constantly loses contact with the road. Due to the shift in the centre of gravity, the car loses stability when cornering. The driving comfort is also reduced. The load on the components of the running gear increases by several times, which leads to their premature wear.

Can I replace a shock absorber myself?

Using the video tutorials from AUTODOC CLUB, you can handle the replacement of shock absorbers yourself. For this job, you will need a lift or chocks, a jack, and jack stands, as well as a set of spanners, a metal brush to clean the assemblies of dirt, and penetrating oil to help loosen stuck fasteners. Look for detailed instructions for your exact car model in our video guides.