Depending on a number of variables, including as driving habits and road conditions, the factory shocks typically last 60–70k miles. Depending on how much you put a strain on them, they may last longer or shorter.
In This Article...
DSXMachina
How are your butts trained? Seriously. I’ve been a driver for more than three decades in a variety of different cars without ever changing shocks. My e90 seems to have excellent handling, has had BMWCCA instructors drive it, and has 141K miles on what I think are the original shocks. It has also passed two track inspections in the last two years. With 107K miles on it when I acquired it, the service history had no mention of them being changed, and they appeared to be OEM. They may have been replaced, I suppose, but I’m not sure. The corner bounce test reveals that the damping effect is satisfactory. How would you know?
Shocks can last anywhere between 10,000 and 150,000 kilometers. The type of roads they are driven on and how the car is operated on those roads are the two greatest factors.
At 100 miles per hour, if you hit one Manhattan pothole, you might need a new shock at 101 miles.
The single most deceptive moniker for a car part is “shock absorber.” They ought to be known as “bounce absorbers.”
How Long Do Struts and Shocks Last?
Many different things affect this. Shocks or struts can be compared to tennis shoes. They will last a lot longer if you only use them on the weekends to go shopping than if you ride a skateboard, wear them every day, and constantly use the brakes on your shoes!
This means that if you drive less frequently, on smoother roads, don’t drive aggressively, and don’t haul a lot of weight in your car, your shocks or struts will last longer.
Your shocks/struts should last approximately 10 years if your car has been “babied.” Five years is probably the maximum you can hope for if you’ve really treated your automobile like a workhorse. This indicates that the typical driver may expect the shocks and struts to last a maximum of 7 or 8 years.
Replacement of the Shock Absorber
You should have your complete suspension checked for wear, corrosion, and leaks before replacing your shock absorbers or struts. Other elements that could contribute to your suspension system’s poor performance include:
- Rolling Joints
- A tie rod
- Arms of control
- Springs
A more sensible strategy is to have the shocks, struts, and suspension system evaluated at 50,000 miles and then annually after that. Some manufacturers advise replacement at this point.
If any parts require replacement, a thorough inspection by a reputable vehicle repair shop should reveal this.
Don’t ever replace only one strut or shock absorber. They should always be replaced in pairs in order to prevent unpredictable vehicle operation and handling.
Shock absorbers: How long should they last?
Although we would anticipate shock absorbers (or struts on vehicles with strut-type suspensions that incorporate the shocks into an assembly with springs and other suspension parts) to last at least four or five years unless the vehicle has been subjected to extreme use, those variables make it virtually impossible to assign a number of years or miles as a broad stroke. On a car that has spent the majority of its life on smooth pavement, it’s also not uncommon for shocks and struts to survive 10 years before needing to be replaced.
However, uneven roads that bounce the car and are marked by potholes, wide fissures, and sharp ridges that run across the pavement will hasten shocks’ deterioration (also known as dampers because they dampen the bounce). Excessive wear can be brought on by carrying heavy items frequently or by driving on unpaved roads that have deep divots or big boulders embedded in them. And if you have a devil-may-care attitude toward road conditions and bumps, your shock absorbers will eventually suffer the consequences if you drive over them at the same pace as newly paved roads. By causing corrosion, winter weather and road salt can also reduce the lifespan of a car’s shock absorber and strut.
Use these as guidelines for when to get your entire suspension evaluated for part wear, damage, and leaks rather than utilizing time or miles to determine when to replace shocks and struts (shocks contain fluid). Some makers of shock absorbers advise replacing them after 50,000 miles, however this is more for their advantage than yours. It is advisable to have the shocks and suspension components tested at 40,000 or 50,000 kilometers, then annually after that. What components, if any, genuinely require replacement should be discovered after a comprehensive evaluation.
The majority of the shock damping is performed by the springs in your car’s suspension. So that you don’t go boing-boing down the road, the shocks and struts enhance the ride and lessen the bouncing brought on by springs compressing and releasing. The shocks may be worn out or leaking fluid and need to be replaced if you find your automobile is bouncing or swaying more than usual, “porpoising” over undulating surfaces, bottoming out over railroad lines, or leaning more in turns.
Even if your initial instinct would be to attribute those issues to something else, longer stopping distances or sudden responses through the steering wheel are changes that can also be brought on by old shocks. The same is true with uneven tire wear: even if none of those problems exist, the shocks may still require repair. The rubber and metal “cushions” at mounting points and connections known as bushings may be worn, causing irregular suspension movement or vibrations that might hasten tire wear or increase stress on other suspension parts.
But there are numerous more suspension system parts and components that could be to blame for strange noises, poor ride quality, or handling concerns, including worn-out ball joints, tie rods, and control arms. If new shocks are on sale at the repair shop, don’t immediately blame the shock absorbers or purchase a new set of replacement absorbers. For a smoother, safer ride, have a competent mechanic thoroughly inspect the entire suspension and fix with replacements as necessary.
Signs That Your Shocks and Struts Need to be Replaced
Shocks and struts often need to be replaced every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. They will age more quickly if you drive more aggressively or frequently on difficult roads.
Shocks and struts don’t fail all at once; rather, they lose their effectiveness over time. As a result, you might not realize that your suspension is in trouble until it gets much worse! Keep an eye out for these 4 primary indications that your shocks and/or struts need to be replaced.
How long do shocks last in actuality?
What is the lifespan of shocks and struts then? Under optimal driving conditions, shocks and struts can typically last 5–10 years or 50,000–100,000 miles. The lifespan of these parts can be impacted by a variety of variables, including the manufacturer, poor roads, big loads, towing, severe braking, and aggressive driving. It is preferable to start routinely checking these components after 40,000 miles or when the car starts to bounce, sag, have longer stopping distances, or exhibit other suspension issues.
If you suspect your shocks or struts may be damaged, you should have your car checked out right away. Both shocks and struts have the potential to produce dangerous circumstances like bouncing or shoddy braking that can result in accidents. Front struts, as opposed to shocks, are an essential component of the steering system and their failure could seriously impair steering. The car will probably not be drivable if these components entirely fail.
Ask your mechanic for further details regarding the function of automobile shocks if you’re curious about how long shocks and struts last.
What do shocks and struts in cars do? What is the lifespan of shocks and struts? Most drivers probably don’t give their car’s shocks and struts much thought because they don’t need to be replaced frequently like oil or other parts do. Although shocks and struts have quite distinct purposes, they both support the weight of the vehicle and contribute to overall stability. Although they serve the same purpose, the parts cannot be joined to build a vehicle or used interchangeably. This implies that a car will typically have either one or the other. Some automobiles will feature shock absorbers in the back and struts up front.
The lifespan of the rear shocks is how long?
Many drivers are unaware that shock absorbers are used for more than just regulating how their car’s springs and suspension system move. Additionally, they function to keep all four firmly planted, stopping the car from rolling. Because of this, shock absorbers are a crucial part that you must know when to repair for the longevity of both your automobile and yourself.
So what is the key figure? How long ought shock absorbers to last? 2 years? 5-year period? When it comes to the ideal time to replace your shocks, there isn’t a predetermined length of time or even a precise mileage number. It relies on a number of factors, including your mileage, the condition of the roads you travel on, and your level of caution.
Your shocks could last up to 10 years if you live in a city and drive carefully every day on well-maintained, flawlessly smooth tar roads. Expect your shock absorbers to last about 5 years if you’re like the rest of us and occasionally hit potholes and drive on country roads.
Your shocks may deteriorate more quickly if you frequently drive on bumpy, pitted dirt or gravel roads or if you haul big loads. Even if you never leave the smooth city streets, reckless driving, harsh braking, and swerving could result in you changing your shock absorbers more regularly.
The bad news is that your shocks will corrode in the intense cold of winter and on salt-coated roads, reducing their lifespan a little each season.
indicators of worn shocks
- Your steering wheel is severely vibrating.
- turning turns while pulling or drifting
- When you brake, your automobile veers or seems to lurch.
- Your brakes don’t work right away.
- Undercarriage rattling sounds
These are just a few of the warning signs that you shouldn’t disregard. If you have any questions about the condition of your shock absorbers, have them inspected by a reputable service technician at Midas. Make an appointment right away.
How can I tell if the shocks in my BMW are damaged?
Shocks and struts that are functioning properly increase your safety while driving and help prevent damage to other components of your car. Keep an eye out for these warning signals that suggest it may be time to check and replace your shocks and struts.
irregular tire wear (including cupping). If you notice unusual tire wear, such as cupping (as in the image below), you may have problems with your shocks or struts, which will cause your alignment to be off. If a rotation was completed but abnormal wear is still happening, it can be very crucial to recognize this.
Off-center, peeling, or cracked rubber shock covers. These covers can be located at the top and bottom of the shocks.
liquid leaks. It may be an indication of a broken seal if you discover clear or pale brown fluid on the shocks’ or struts’ outside.
ride problems. It may be an indication of damaged shocks or struts if your car dips when braking, bottoms out (scrapes loudly) after crossing a speed bump, squats when accelerating, or bounces more than usual following a bump.
brake problems. You could notice that stopping takes longer than usual for your car.
Swaying. This may be particularly obvious during a turn, lane change, or in strong crosswinds.
strange noises The shocks or struts could stop functioning as they age. Numerous sounds, including knocking and slamming, may result from this.