My shocks need to be replaced. What happens if I don't replace them?

Question

I am driving a 1990 Toyota Corolla. The shocks (both front and rear) are shot, according to the mechanic. I only need the car to last another 6 months. On average, I drive about 5 miles/day (if that). Can I risk not changing them? What happens when there are no shocks?

Answer 1

If you are only driving at relatively low speeds, and short distances, you most likely will be OK without replacing the shocks.

Your vehicle handling will be worse, but this will be much more of a problem at higher speeds! With bad shocks the car has more body roll, and is less stable on turns. It also may take a bit longer to stop and you may have more tire wear!

With a 1990 Corolla the cost of replacing the shocks would exceed that value of the vehicle. In this case, you are not driving far and are planning on keeping the car for only a short time!

I would not replace the shocks!

Answer 2

Shock absorbers control the "bounce" your car experiences when you hit a bump or a pot hole or other road defect. They do effect the safe operation of your vehicle as they help keep your tires in contact with the road and thus help to improve steering and braking. But... leaking shock absorbers DO NOT cause a catastrophic failure of your vehicle, and there are millions of older cars on the road today that could probably benefit from the replacement of worn shock absorbers.

An individual shock absorber is relatively easy to replace, and should cost around $25-35 each. If your car has shock struts instead of regular shock absorbers, the cost of replacement could be quite a bit higher.

If, as you say, you only drive 5 miles a day, and only need the car to last another 6 months, then you can probably survive without replacing your shock absorbers... Especially if that five-miles per day is in low speed city traffic.

Answer 3

A shock or struts main purpose in life is to keep your tires pressed to the ground. Weak shocks or struts can cause excessive tire bounce, making your tires actually leave the pavement for a second. Steering angles are also effected by poor suspension. Stability will be compromised. Its hard to tell you that you MUST change them, or to tell you its OK not to.
It depends on how your car drives, if it feels stable, in rain or snow it might be OK. If it feels like your struggling to maintain control you shouldn't risk it.

Answer 4

Are they really shot ?
Go to one corner of the car, push down hard, let go, see if the car "bounces". If it bounces several times, you need shocks. If you need them but drive anyway and are careful you may be able to get by for the 6 months but it is not a safe thing to do

Answer 5

Tire damage uneven wear, toe in or toe out..
easy cost is to replace two at a time do front axle first cause your turning all the time then do rear, when doin the rear change tire from rear to front, for a more balanced ride....

Answer 6

shocks are there to keep the wheels on the ground. brakes and steering do not work in the air. not to mention the stability issues, as well as the increase damaged caused to the suspension from the vibration. If you dont want to spend the money get rid of it now

Answer 7

if your car is drving ok if it is stable, no abnormalities, you
maybe able to get away without changing your shocks, especially if you drive 5 miles or less per day.
if you know of an honest knowledgable mechanic, ask him as well.

Answer 8

You will find that your steering will wander when cornering, your braking will be affected as the car will roll about like a ship at sea which if it rocks when it should roll you could end up in a ditch

Answer 9

For a start, you have a longer braking distance. You could run into something... what if it's a kid that's stepped out in front of you?

Sorry to scare you, but better safe than sorry,

Answer 10

It can actually jerk your engine around so hard that some serious damage can be caused to you engine.