Steering or handling difficulty, uneven braking, abnormal tire wear (especially cupping), springs bottoming out, excessive bouncing after stops, worn steering and suspension components and noise caused by loose shock absorber attaching parts – these are some common indications of auto shock absorber failure.
The basic function of your car's shock absorber is to keep the auto wheels in contact with the road surface under all road and load conditions. The auto shock absorber is not a weight-supporting device, and serves only as a damping device for the spring or torsion bar suspension system. Your car's shocks keep the springs from oscillating freely after the auto wheels roll over road irregularities. Without auto shock absorbers, your vehicle would have a bouncing ride, as energy is stored in the spring and then released to the vehicle, possibly exceeding the allowed range of suspension movement. Control of excessive suspension movement without shock absorption requires stiffer (higher rate) springs, which would in turn give a harsh ride. Your car's shock absorbers allow the use of soft (lower rate) springs while controlling the rate of suspension movement in response to bumps.
Make sure your car always gives you a safe ride. Always see to it that your auto shock absorbers are always in good working condition. If your car's shock absorber is dripping fluid, it is a sign of leakage, and this calls for replacement. Premium quality replacement auto parts can be found at trusted online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Discount for a price that won't drill a hole in your pocket.