how do i know if my car's shocks are bad?

Question

aside from taking it to the mechanic of course, what can i do to check out how good or bad they are.

Answer 1

First answer correct. Just push down at each corner and jump back. If, it bounce for a few seconds it need shocks. When you look at the shocks you see a big spring. The shocks are to dampen the bounce from the spring, all they do.
Most mechanics will do what we just say here. It called "The Bounce Test" LOL!

Answer 2

It is a good idea to replace shocks/struts at 60 thousand miles but it's not life or death if you dont. Shocks go bad slowly so you wont really notice it since you drive the vehicle everyday. Shocks can leak fluid and mounting bushings can crack. Most shops will put it on a lift and check them for free. The old school way is to press on the hood down and see if the car bounces up and down more than 1.5 times, then do the same with the trunk, if it bounces more than 1.5 times, they are weak. Also, during October nationwide, any shop that installs monroe sensa tracs shocks has a rebate where you buy 4 shocks and you can get a mail in rebate to get your money back (parts only) on one shock, it's called Shocktober and they run that every year.

Answer 3

The best test is the road test. If you can feel your car "bottoming out" on rolling roads such that you feel a hard bump and bang when hitting highway bumps, then you can improve your ride by replacing them. If your going to replace your car in a year or so, try to get along by going slower over the bumps.

Answer 4

you can bounce the car a few times then stop,if it bounces over two times by its self then you need new shocks,good luck.

Answer 5

if you go over a bump and your car keeps bouncing they are bad

Answer 6

You'll know if you can feel every single bump in the road!

Answer 7

your car will bounce a lot.... and not stop after a couple of times.

Answer 8

when you feel every single bump and it feels like you are playing on a trampoline