Generally, our vehicle shock absorbers deal with lots of things. For that, from time to time, they can go bad (of course, due to loads of pressure). As a result, your vehicle will face inconveniences and lower its performance.
The one and only solution at a low cost are to repair the absorbers. So, how to repair shock absorbers, actually? Are they difficult to handle?
No, the task isn’t hard at all. All you need is to follow some steps and your shock absorber will be as new as before. You won’t probably have to replace the whole thing if you can finish the rebuilding work smoothly.
Read this write-up to know the process, including some interesting facts. We’re sure you’ll find it beneficial. Let’s start, shall we?
Can You Repair Shock Absorbers?
Yes, you can easily repair shock absorbers if they start to leak your vehicle’s oil. If the absorbers are damaged, it’s better to rebuild actually.
Repairing the parts will give your car a next-level boost. The speed, engine, and performance will altogether pop up and you’ll see the difference at once.
Plus, they’ll become more reliable than the new ones. All the environmental and mechanical effects will be handled without any trouble by them once you get the repairing.
Therefore, the reconstruction is efficient so most people choose this. With a low shock absorbers repair cost, you can have a new experience which we think is a great deal!
How to Repair Shock Absorbers?
Well, repair tips for shock absorbers are quite easy and simple. You don’t have to do much to get this job done. All you need is a little knowledge about absorbers and other parts of your vehicle and that’s it. You can fix the tool by yourself.
You have to follow some steps though for a smooth outcome. They are,
● Detach the shock absorber from the vehicle first (carefully).
● Wash them thoroughly with water to remove all the dirt and oil. Remember, the cleaning process is very important to repair the shock absorber.
● Now, disassemble the shock oil and see how dirty they are. This oil will reveal what type of repair your absorber needs.
● Clean the leaking shock absorber oil and wash the whole body with water again.
● Take a cloth and dry everything you’re washing immediately.
● Now fill up the body with new oil.
● After that, detach all the seals from the rod guide one by one.
● Cleanse them all individually with water and take out all the dirt there. If you see the condition of the seals is not that good, replace them with new ones.
● Put the seals back in their place just like before.
● It’s time to take out the piston and shims for investigation. If you notice any type of crease there, change them right away as that issue will lead to performance damage to the shock absorber.
● Put back the new ones into the shock absorber’s body now.
● Last but not least, fill it with nitrogen and check if all the adjustments are alright.
Done! You can always consult a professional if things get complicated.
Which one is better: Repair or Shock Replacement?
It actually depends on your shock absorber’s condition either it needs repairing or replacement.
While detaching the body from your car, you must remove all the seals one by one. Once you remove them, you’ll get to see how badly damaged they are. If it’s only dirt or oil that’s tucking up, just wash them and refill them with new oil. Your shock absorber will work like magic.
Additionally, car shock absorbers’ repair cost is low and it takes less time so it’ll be effective for you in both ways.
But if the whole absorber is spoiled, you’ll have no choice but to change it. Remember to replace the shock absorber once you see the harm is too high. It’s because with the damage, if you repair it, it’ll again get you in trouble.
So, in this case, just purchase a new strut and use that in your vehicle.
What Does a Broken Shock Sound Like?
When the coil springs of your car hit the car chassis, it makes a knocking sound. Also, the shock absorber bushing will crack and you’ll hear that cracking noise while you’re driving. If you notice these sounds, be sure that your shock is broken.
What Happens If You Drive with a Broken Shock Absorber?
Driving with a busted shock absorber is a big no-no. You shouldn’t drive your car with anything when you know that part needs to be fixed.
The inconveniences that’ll come with this will be way too dangerous than you imagine. For example, your car can bounce suddenly, get excessive rolling, diving and squatting. All these things are unlikely, so you should repair or replace the parts as soon as possible.
Can I Change Just 1 Shock Absorber?
Well, shock absorbers work in pairs, so it’s an ideal decision to change them both together. But if 1 absorber is severely damaged, then you can replace that while repairing the remaining one.
How Long Should Shock Absorbers Last?
The lifespan of one of the best shock absorbers depends on where you’re living and the situation of the road in that place. They can last up to 10+ years if the environment is good. Otherwise, most of the absorbers work fine for 4 - 5 years.
How Much Does It Cost to Change the Shock Absorbers?
It actually depends on your car model and the condition. The price will be around $250 - $580 if you want to change them in pairs. Or, for a single absorber, it’ll cost around $50 - $140.
Conclusion
That’s all about how to repair shock absorbers. We hope you got the idea of how to process it successfully. Not too much work, but you need to gently and carefully clean the shock parts.
Try to have the car maintenance test once a year because that’ll give you the information on your vehicle. This way, you won’t have to wait for all those cracking sounds to repair the shock absorber.
All the best!
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