Shock absorbers are as vital a component as your vehicle’s steering system, tyres and brakes, all of which do not function properly when driving with worn shock absorbers.
It is what we call the Monroe Safety Triangle, encouraging motorists to check tyres, brakes and shock absorbers with every service to ensure optimum stopping, steering and stability.
Shock absorbers explained
Shock absorbers are quite possibly the most misunderstood part of any vehicle’s essential systems. As well as the three sides of the safety triangle – Stopping – Steering – Stability – your shock absorbers also influence tyre life and ride comfort. Simply put, shock absorbers help to control the movement of your vehicle’s springs and suspension. They play an important role in your vehicle’s ability to accelerate, travel and stop with safety and control.
The signs of worn shock absorbers
Although the best way to test your shock absorbers is through a workshop and road test by a qualified technician, there are some very distinctive signs of excessive shock absorber wear and tear you can keep an eye out for.
Safety Triangle
Stopping, steering and stability form the three sides of what Monroe call ‘the safety triangle’.
Just to be on the safe side
The way you drive, where you drive, what you drive, the loads you carry, the weather – many things can impact on shock absorber life. As a precaution, Monroe and other leading automotive experts recommend that you have a trained specialist inspect your shock absorbers for signs of wear every 20,000km.