Over the course of their life, shock absorbers mutate into air pumps: after about two sets of worn tires, shock absorbers are usually only 50% of their original efficiency and need to be replaced. Since their efficiency decreases gradually, and not suddenly, most drivers unconsciously adjust to the deteriorating driving quality: in extreme situations, this leads to unpleasant surprises. Therefore, once a year, check the shock absorbers at the test bench of the car club, TUV or DEKRA. The rocking method, where you hold the fender of the car to check its behavior with residual vibrations, is not enough. In this way, you will only find a shock absorber that has completely failed. However, watch out for the following symptoms:
- Does the steering hit? In this case the wheels «dance» above the ground or not properly balanced.
- Does the Focus continue to wobble a lot after driving through a crease in the ground?
- How does the car behave when cornering? Seems loose? Swinging after every bump in the road?
- Do tires wear unevenly? (treads worn out in patches)?
- Do you notice large traces of oil on the shock body? Small traces of sweating are normal.
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