Shock absorbers do exactly what they say on the tin, absorbing the brunt of the impact when you’re driving.
All those knocks can come at a price though, as your shock absorbers can start leaking, resulting in an uncomfortable ride. If you do discover a fluid leak from your shock absorbers, you don’t need to worry.
Our experts have pooled together their knowledge to explain what causes your shock absorbers to leak and how to fix the problem. Plus, ordering hydraulic fluid from our extensive range will let you top up your shock absorber oil levels in no time, and make them work as good as new.
What causes shock absorbers to leak?
Shock absorbers are small, sealed pumps with hydraulic fluid inside them, which makes them move up and down. The seal, which sits at the top of your shock absorbers, stops the oil leaking, and keeps them lubricated.
If the seal comes loose, this causes oil to spill out, which once all gone, renders your shock absorbers useless. These are also known as ‘leaking shocks’ and there’s several causes for them, all of which have massive repercussions to your driving experience.
1. Brittle seals
Over time, seals can become brittle, which gradually causes oil to leak out. This slow and steady stream of fluid leaving the shock absorbers means they’ll need frequently monitoring, and eventually replacing.
2. Bending and misplacement
With the quantity and level of impact your shock absorbers take, they can often move position. But sometimes, if you’re involved in an accident, your shock absorbers can become misplaced or even bend, causing them to leak.
It’s important to note that the term ‘accidents’ doesn’t just cover a car accident in the traditional sense. Landing in potholes, quickly colliding with curbs or large pieces of grit hitting your shock absorbers, all fall under the term ‘accidents’ as well.
3. Wear and tear
Shock absorbers, along with all the parts of your car’s suspension, take so much impact that it’s only a matter of time before they get worn down. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your owner’s manual to see how many years, or how many miles, your shock absorbers should last for.
The longer you’ve got them fitted to your car, the more worn down they’ll get and the more susceptible they’ll become to fluid loss.
What to do if your shock absorbers are leaking?
Leaking shock absorbers are a serious issue and need to be fixed as quickly as possible. If you think yours are letting out oil, the first thing to do is check them.
1. Checking your shock absorbers
To check your shock absorbers correctly, your car engine needs to be off, and your car needs to be completely dry. If your shock absorbers are wet, this can affect the results while you’re inspecting them.
The reason is that there’s always slight perspiration when you feel your shock absorbers, because of the hydraulic oil moving within them. Making sure you only feel this fluid and no other liquids is vital.
The best way to check your shock absorbers is to feel the damper (the rod) with your fingers. Your fingers should stay dry, but if they do feel slightly wet, wipe the damper down and check it again a couple of days later. If you can then feel oil or see that your shock absorbers are leaking, head to a garage straight away.
2. Getting your shock absorbers fixed
When you’re at the garage, the mechanic will inspect your shock absorbers to understand what the problem is. Sometimes, shock absorbers don’t need replacing; instead they may need realigning if they’ve become misplaced, which means you don’t need to get new ones installed. However, if the shock absorber can’t be realigned, it will need to be replaced.
But because shock absorbers work in pairs, (two at the front of your car and two at the back), if you need to get one shock absorber replaced, it’s recommended to get the opposite shock absorber (or if you can, all four) replaced as well, to ensure each pair is doing their job effectively.
If you just replace one shock absorber on its own, this makes driving even more dangerous, as it causes your car’s handling to be impaired even further.
Knowing how to spot when your shock absorbers are leaking keeps you driving safely on the roads, as does knowing the reasons why your car is stalling, and the most effective ways to stop it happening.