How To Diagnose Failing Shocks

If you’re not completely sure if the shocks on your Jaguar are worn out, you can take the time to do the bounce test. It’s not a scientific test, but it will help you determine whether or not your shocks need to be replaced.

The bounce test is something you can do at home within minutes. Read on to find out how.

Warning Signs of Bad Shocks

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When one of your shocks goes bad, you’ll know. There will be a difference in your Jaguar’s ride quality. More specifically, you’ll notice some of the following symptoms:

  • More pronounced vibrations while driving
  • Swerving or nose diving when the brakes are applied
  • Longer stopping distances
  • Uneven tire wear

Since shocks are important parts on your Jaguar, it’s recommended to check the shocks at every oil change. Whether you have an upcoming oil change or you have a hunch that one of your shocks has gone bad, take a few minutes to do the bounce test.

Performing the Bounce Test

The bounce test is simple and pretty effective in detecting bad shocks. All you have to do is to park your Jaguar and then bounce each corner. More specifically:

  1. Park your car on a level surface.
  2. Stand in front of one corner and, in one swift motion, put all of your weight on the vehicle and then let go.
  3. Observe how the car bounces.
    1. If the car bounces up and then returns to its original position without continuing to bounce, then the shock at that corner is still good.
    2. If the car bounces once or twice before returning to its original position, this indicates that the shock at that corner is weak and both shocks on the same axle need to be replaced soon.
    3. If the car bounces more than twice, replace the shocks on that axle right away because the shock is no longer functional.

Replacing Your Shocks

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If you determine that one of your shocks has gone bad, you need to replace both shocks on the same axle.

Let’s say that one shock is leaking, and the other shock is still in good shape. If you just replace the leaking shock, the new shock provides better support than the older one on the other side of the axle. This won’t create a comfortable ride because the older shock is struggling to “keep up” with the newer shock. You’ll just end up with an imbalanced ride and uneven tire wear.

When you have to replace both shocks on the same axle, you might feel inclined to get cheap aftermarket shocks to save some money. You don’t necessarily have to compromise your car’s ride quality with aftermarket shocks when you can buy a genuine OEM set of shocks from us at deeply discounted prices.

If you have any questions about performing the bounce test or identifying a worn shock, you’re welcome to reach out to us for help.