Professional corner Diagnostic - Effects of worn shock absorbers Without realizing it, drivers adapt to the progressive deterioration of their shock absorbers. They are unaware that their shock absorbers are worn or that their vehicle's roadholding characteristics have deteriorated. Worn shock absorbers also increase wear on important mechanical parts of the vehicle—springs, steering gear, universal joints, differential, tires, rubber suspension bushes, the gear box, wheel bearing, suspension and steering arm ball joints. Worn shock absorbers—a safety hazard |
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1. Braking Tests have shown that at 55km/h on a bend the braking distance may be increased by 2.3m—enough to cause an accident. |
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2. Roadholding If shock absorbers are 50% worn, the maximum safe speed, even on a dry road, can be reduced by 10%. |
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3. Aquaplaning With a 50 % worn shock absorbers and on 6mm of surface water, skidding and aquaplaning can begin at a speed 10% lower than with new shock absorbers.1 4. Driver fatigue Defective shock absorbers increase driver fatigue and can extend reaction time by 26%. 5. Reduced visibility Unstable and irregular illumination of the road makes night driving dangerous and visually tiring. 6. Dazzle Exaggerated oscillation dazzles the drivers of oncoming vehicles. |
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