Do the Shocks on my Car need Replacement?

Question

I just bought a 1989 Camry and I've noticed that whenever I drive over bumps w/ the front two tires, it would make a very loud thump when the tires land, the back tires don't make this thump though.
My questions are:
1) Are the front shocks the problem here? or is it something else? How can I know for sure? Are there any tests I can do to check?

2) If the shocks need to be replaced, should I just go ahead & replace all 4 of the shocks? or just the 2 front ones?

3) Could anyone give me an estimate of how much it would cost? (I was quoted a total of $250 for replacing two front shocks)

plan to keep this car for @ least 5 more years

Answer 1

Being as how shock/strut technology has advanced immensely in the last 20 or so years, the "bounce" test is no longer an accurate check on your suspension jounce and rebound dampening systems.

In plain English, the bounce test is not a valid test.

If your vehicle is bottoming out in the compression (jounce) stage, your problem is most likely to be the front springs. Shocks/struts do not limit travel length in jounce/rebound, they just keep the vehicle's springs from excessively oscillating (a.k.a. porpoising),thereby keeping the tire in contact with the road.

The actual "shock absorber" in any vehicle is the spring. Shocks/struts just keep you from going "boingy-boingy-boingy" down the road.

Struts have the same function as shocks. The difference is, in most vehicles, that struts are load-bearing (hence the name).

Re: Q 2: in a 1989 vehicle your shocks/struts have gone through several million ride contol actions. This, for the dampening system , is extremely fatiguing. Replace all four.

Re: Q 3: Markets vary, but expect to shell out about 4 benjies, including alignment.

Get your springs checked first, however. An easy check is to compare the vehicle's ride height against MFG spec. If it is lower by 1/4" or more, replace the springs.

Answer 2

Hi,

Check front shocks by bouncing the car up and down agressively and then let go at the bottom of when you are pushing down. The car should rise and then settle down to curb ride height. If it does anymore than that the shocks are not damping the suspension enough. Do the same with the rear. Replace those if the same thing occures but if they are ok, I would vote to leave them until they do wear out.

While bouncing the car, listen for clunking. Have a friend do this and look around to pinpoint the sound. You might find a bushing or stabilizer bar gromet is deteriorated or such and cause the clunk.

I would shop around for replacement

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Listen to the antique clock guy - he knows his stuff. Pay especial attention to the second paragraph. Worn shocks/struts don't usually go "clunk"...

BTW - I thought the '89 Camry had struts on the front, not shocks. These usually cost a bit more than $250 to replace, since they have to be dismantled to remove the springs, which then have to be assembled onto the new struts. Better check with someone else, though, in case I have the different models and years mixed up.

Good luck!

Answer 4

This is a very old test, but it still works, push down on the bumper until you feel the suspension bottom out, then take your hands off the bumper, and let it come back up, the car should not bounce. If it does, your shocks need to be replaced.

Answer 5

While in the driveway you can push down on the front bumper several times. This will cause the car to bounce. When you stop pushing on it it should stop immediately. If it keeps on bouncing the shocks are bad.

Answer 6

go to the front of your car. and push down on it a couple of times. if it bounces very easily up and down without no force stopping it. that means the shocks are dead. good luck.

Answer 7

With the age of your car, I would guess it does need shocks. If you have the money, and you'replanning on keeping the car, then do all four.

Answer 8

FIRST GO TO EACH CORNER OF THE CARAND SIT OR STAND ON BUMPER GET OFF IF CAR GOES TO UP AND DOWN INSTEAD OF JUST UP SHOCK IS BAD THERE!!