Worn shock absorber bushings: symptoms, noises and consequences that should not be underestimated

Worn shock absorbers and tire wear they are closely linked.

When a shock absorber loses efficiency, the tire does not maintain constant contact with the road, increasing tread wear and compromising stability, safety and driving comfort.

Understand the relationship between worn shock absorbers and tire wear it is essential to reduce maintenance costs and improve the performance of industrial vehicles.

Worn shock absorbers and tire wear: why they are connected

The main task of a shock absorber is to control the movements of the suspension after each stress.

When the vehicle faces a pothole, a bend, braking or a deformation of the asphalt, the spring naturally tends to compress and extend. The shock absorber intervenes to limit these movements and keep the tire always adhering to the road surface.

If this control fails, the wheel may temporarily lose contact with the ground or exert uneven pressure on the tread.

Over time, this situation can result in uneven tire wear.

How to recognize abnormal tire wear

A tire tells a lot about the health of your suspension.

Some types of consumption can represent an alarm bell and suggest a thorough check of the entire system.

Among the most frequent signs we find:

• irregular tread wear;
• localized wear in some places;
• formation of waviness or jaggedness;
• greater wear on part of the rubber;
• vibrations while driving;
• loss of driving precision.

Of course, these symptoms do not depend exclusively on the shock absorbers. Incorrect pressure, wheel geometry, steering components or overloads can also contribute to tire deterioration.

For this reason it is always advisable to carry out a complete diagnosis.

What happens when shock absorbers are worn out

As time passes, the damping efficiency decreases.

The shock absorber is no longer able to effectively control the movements of the suspension and the tire tends to bounce more frequently on irregularities in the road surface.

This phenomenon can cause:

• increased stress on the tread;
• reduction of adhesion;
• increase in braking distances;
• less stability when cornering;
• increase in vibrations transmitted to the vehicle;
• premature wear of tires and other suspension components.

In the truck sector these effects can also affect load protection and driver comfort during long journeys.

Check shock absorbers and tires during maintenance

Preventive maintenance represents one of the most effective tools for reducing the operating costs of an industrial vehicle.

During an inspection it is advisable to check:

• any fluid leaks from the shock absorber;
• condition of the bushings and fixing points;
• anomalous games;
• vehicle behavior while driving;
• tire tread conditions.

Analyzing suspensions and tires at the same time often allows you to identify problems which, if neglected, can turn into much more expensive interventions.

The importance of choosing shock absorbers designed for each application

Not all shock absorbers are the same.

Each industrial vehicle has specific characteristics related to weight, load distribution, type of use and operating conditions.

For this reason it is essential to use components designed and tested for the intended application.

Way Assauto develops and produces damping systems for the automotive, truck, bus, railway and special applications sectors, putting design, research and quality controls at the centre.

The experience gained in over a century of activity allows the company to create solutions designed to guarantee reliability, durability and constant performance even in the most demanding working conditions.

Each component is created through a process that includes design, development, laboratory tests and functional checks, with the aim of offering products capable of meeting the needs of the aftermarket and OEM markets.

How to reduce tire wear

To increase the life of your tires and preserve the efficiency of your suspension, it is advisable to adopt some simple good practices.

Among these:

• periodically check the condition of the shock absorbers;
• check tire pressure;
• respect the loads foreseen by the manufacturer;
• carry out regular checks on the vehicle's alignment;
• intervene promptly in the presence of abnormal noises or vibrations;
• use quality and correctly sized spare parts.

Scheduled maintenance allows you to reduce premature wear and improve the overall reliability of the vehicle.

Performance, safety and durability go together

The worn shock absorbers they can influence much more than just driving comfort. Their state directly affects the dynamic behavior of the vehicle and the life of the tyres, with repercussions on safety, maintenance costs and operational efficiency.

For this reason it is essential to consider suspension and tires as a single system.

Investing in components designed according to high quality standards and subjecting them to periodic checks means improving the stability of the vehicle, preserving the tread of the tires and guaranteeing constant performance over time.

It is precisely this philosophy that has guided Way Assauto for over 120 years: to develop reliable and innovative damping solutions, designed to accompany the evolution of mobility and meet the needs of professionals in the automotive and industrial vehicle sectors.