Shock absorbers are an essential part of your vehicle’s suspension system. They’re there to keep your drive as smooth as possible as you cruise down roads or along trails. If your shock absorbers start leaking though, you’re in for quite a bit of trouble.
Shock absorbers, also known as dampers, create resistance against the up-and-down movement of your vehicle as it goes over various bumps on the road. By controlling this motion, it dampens the energy in your suspension’s springs, converting the kinetic energy into thermal energy. When the energy is converted into heat instead of motion, you’re left with a smoother ride.
Mechanically, the shocks have three main parts–the body, the rod (or shaft), and the piston assembly, which includes the valve system suspended in hydraulic fluid. The piston and valve assembly are typically connected to the rod, but they can also connect to the shock’s body.
The valve assembly uses the hydraulic fluid to dampen and control the motion of the vehicle’s suspension. It creates resistance to the motion of the rod specifically. This resistance is what converts the kinetic energy into heat. The fluid in the shocks absorbs the heat, which eventually moves to the shock body, where it can freely dissipate into the air.
If your shocks are leaking fluid, they could be less efficient at both dampening jolts and heat dissipation.
Generally, if there’s a leak, you’ll notice decreased performance in your shocks, leading to a bumpier ride, unusual noises, irregular tire wear, and reduced handling and braking ability. Alternatively, you might be mistaking natural shock operations for a leak.
The following are some causes that can lead to your shocks leaking, whether as a result of damage or as part of their shock-absorbing process:
Oil mist residue is a perfectly natural part of your shocks operating as designed. It mostly appears on very dry shocks because you won’t notice it otherwise. Oil mist occurs when the piston rod spreads a very small amount of oil from the cylinder onto the seal. The rod appears damp, but it won’t feel wet if you touch it.
However, if you see oil mist that is coming from inside the shock, you can’t add oil. In this case, you must replace the shock and it’s best to replace them in pairs (both front or both rear).
If you see oil mist that is coming from inside the shock, you can’t add oil. In this case, you must replace the shock and it’s best to replace them in pairs.
–Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
A damaged shaft can lead to leaking shock fluid. When the shaft has scratches or other damage, it can tear the seal, which leads to oil loss and reduced performance. These scratches and dents can come from flying pieces of debris scratching the surface or from the shaft being improperly installed.
Shock seals block the inside of your shocks from the dirt and grime of the outside world. Over time, seals may become brittle and get torn easily. Rocks, gravel, and other debris can also damage your shock seals, leading to an eventual leak.
Your car shocks might be leaking because the coating on one of the piston rods is worn down. If the damper isn’t aligned properly, the coating is rubbed away. The shock seal and piston rod guide then sustain more damage as the misaligned damper continues to operate. Once these parts wear down, the shocks will leak
General wear and tear will eventually lead to front and rear leaking shocks. Your shocks go through a lot of abuse and will eventually leak and need replacing.
Because the shocks are an important part of your vehicle’s suspension, you should have regularly scheduled maintenance checks even before any problems start to show up. Generally, it’s a good idea to have these inspections every 50,000 miles.
You can also watch this tutorial video on how to replace the rear shocks of your 2009-2018 Dodge Ram 1500:
A suspension leak will lead to a bumpy ride for you on the road and can even compromise your safety. If your car struts or shocks are leaking, it’s best to have them replaced as soon as possible. Replacement parts will run you anywhere from $10 to $3,800.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.