Shock Absorbers

carole1664

Hi,


Does anybody know if its safe to drive car with worn shock absorbers ? Booked in at garage for Monday but worried it may be unsafe. Advice please !!

AdrianC

What makes you say they're "worn", and what makes you think they've suddenly got so much worse than they've been recently, whilst you've been (presumably) happily driving the car about?

carole1664

I have been told they are worn and I haven't been happily driving around in the car. It has just come back from being repaired for something different

AdrianC

<gazes into crystal ball>
Do the letters K and F mean anything to you...?

Iceweasel

carole1664 wrote: »

I have been told they are worn and I haven't been happily driving around in the car. It has just come back from being repaired for something different

Exactly who was it who told you they were worn?

daltonss

Gas or oil shock absorbers?

BigBopper

daltonss wrote: »

Gas or oil shock absorbers?

Without google do you know the difference between the two and how they are effected when leaking?

carole1664

Car was involved in accident couple weeks ago and the garage that completed the repairs told me.

rich13348

If they are worn or leaking they are not necessarily dangerous but I will not dampen the springs so can increase braking distances and wear out the tyres quicker.

Have a look that the shock absorbers see if there is any sign of oil on the side of it.

Although as AdrianC has hinted to there is a possibility that they could plant that on it.

Best test is to push down on the car hard and let go. If the car goes up then down once they are ok. If it keeps going up and down they are probably leaking.

BeenThroughItAll

daltonss wrote: »

Gas or oil shock absorbers?

That's a pretty stupid question to ask of a poster who doesn't know if duff dampers are safe or not. Do you really think they're going to be aware of the design fitted to their car?

This is your major problem DM, you ask asinine questions to try and show how clever you are without any real understanding of what is appropriate and when.

AdrianC

carole1664 wrote: »

Car was involved in accident couple weeks ago and the garage that completed the repairs told me.

How old is the car, what mileage?

Yes, dampers do wear - and do leak - but they rarely suddenly fail. They get gradually worse over years. Just sitting in the accident repair place's yard won't have changed them at all.

If they're bad, they may very well affect the roadholding and braking, but they aren't tested in the MOT apart from a visual check for leaks.