Worn shock absorbers seriously compromise a car’s handling and safety on the road. “Because shock absorbers wear out gradually, motorists often adjust unconsciously to the change in their vehicle’s handling, unaware of the danger they’re in due to the efficiency of vital components being compromised,” explains Dewald Ranft, Chairman of the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA).
“It’s essential that motorists be aware of how dangerous worn shocks can be and familiarise themselves with the signs that their car’s shocks may be due for replacement,” he says.
Independent research on the extent to which worn shock absorbers impact on a vehicle’s safety shows that they compromise the driver’s ability to stop, steer and maintain vehicle stability.
“In fact, it takes 2.6 metres longer to stop from a speed of 80km/h on a straight road with only one driver in the car and it takes 11.3 metres longer to stop when fully loaded and travelling on a straight road with an uneven surface from a speed of 70 km/h.”
Among the signs that a car’s shock absorbers could be worn are steering wheel vibrations, oil leakage, irregular and increased tyre wear as well as steering that will not centre by itself.
However, Ranft also cautions against opting for replacing your worn shocks with cheap – and unsafe – shock absorbers. Independent tests have proved that certain cheap, imported shocks are extremely dangerous because they aren’t built robustly, the quality of the oil is inferior, they fail the fatigue test, lack flexibility and are often incorrectly assembled.
“Quality is vital in this critical component of a vehicle. Ensure that you have your shocks checked and fitted at a reputable MIWA service provider and accredited fitment centre and when necessary, insist to have them replaced by a trusted brand,” Ranft concludes.
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