What are Shocks?
There are mechanical devices that prevent shock and harsh landing in vehicles. It does this by absorbing the kinetic energy of the heat changing it to heat energy. They are found underneath every vehicle, each close to the four wheels. Shocks carry essential purposes in the vehicle’s suspension system.
Importance
Shocks are very Important for our car. We need to know the importance, below are some basic importance of shocks.
Vehicle movement stability
The main purpose of shocks is to dampen vehicle movements and vibrations. When a car is been driven especially on a bad road it tends to move from side to side, back, and front, in response to drivers’ control. These shocks are been reduced by shock absorbers to stabilize movements of the vehicle.
Stabilizes tire movements and navigation
Vehicles tires carry one shock each in other to aid tire movement and turn. Also, it helps tires be able to hop or bounce when driving on a bad road and make them easily turn. It also tires last long by holding tires firm to the ground and avoid thread from wearing easily.
It increases vehicle performance
When driving on a bad road the shock absorbers stabilizes the body ride of the vehicle making it easy for a driver to handle steering with ease even when making a sharp turn.
Reduces overall suspension wear
Shock absorbers reduce the impact of bad roads to the vehicle reducing excess suspension movements with use of valving oil and gasses to absorb energy from the spring.
How do I know if my Shocks are Bad?
Below are some common symptoms to discover and detect you have a bad shock.
Vibration on steering wheel
Driving on bad roads can cause your steering to vibrate and vibration should stop as soon as you get to a better road, if this vibration continues even on a smoother road it could be a sign that your shocks are bad. this vibration could be intense when driving on a highway at high velocity and could cause mishandling of the steering wheel. there not letting control the vehicle movement properly.
Delay or long brake stop
Bad shocks may delay your brake stops, these means that your vehicle will have to move a little further before it finally stops, at this point, your car may not be able to prevent unforeseen accidents. your vehicle has to be taken to a mechanic for proper check of your shock or probably your brake fluid.
Car sliding on a windy road
Driving on a road, at high speed with a bad or worn shock can cause unsteadiness on the road. when driving in bad weather especially windy weather your car tends to slide according to the directions of heavy winds giving unbalanced navigation on the road.
Bumper dives and fender squats
Shock absorbers help to stabilize vehicles during acceleration, when shocks are worn or not strong to support the vehicle weight, they can make bumper of a vehicle dive when the brake is used and can also make fenders squat when picking pace.
Bouncing of vehicle
Shocks were made of steel coil springs, these coil springs are responsible for absorbing shocks on bad roads. When these springs are damaged it causes the tires to lose grip of the road causing the vehicle to bounce unevenly.
The unusual wearing of tires
Another way to know your shocks are bad, in addition to not giving firm grip of the tires on the road. Tires are ought to maintain equal contact on the road. if they don’t it could result in uneven tire wear. This means that vehicle tires may not wear uniformly.
Vehicle bends during turning
A bad or damaged shock causes a vehicle to bend. When driving at high speed and you eventually take a sharp turn. And you notice your vehicle bend to the opposite side. This simply tells you your shocks are weak and are not able to support the vehicle’s weight.
Vehicle shakes when driving
If you are driving one a road with minor bumps and vehicle shakes, It may be a sign of the problem of the shocks. This means the shocks are no longer capable of dampening vibration in the car and they need to be checked.
Shocks wear over time as the vehicle is been driven, making it difficult for drivers to know when they need to be changed. Always watch out for these symptoms when driving to detect the fault of the shocks.
