How to Tell If Your ATV Shocks Have Gone Bad

Your ATV shock absorbers are under immense pressure, constantly taking the heat while you go crashing around in the wilderness. All that hard work will cause the shocks to inevitably wear down over time, and they will eventually need to be rebuilt or replaced. But how can you tell when the time has come? This guide from East Bay Motorsports will help you evaluate your ATV shock absorbers, and determine whether a replacement is needed.

Feel free to contact us if you need any further assistance! East Bay Motorsports is your destination for ATV repair in Hayward, CA. We welcome customers from all over the Bay Area.

Inspecting Your ATV Shocks

When you inspect the overall condition of your ATV, remember to include your shock absorbers. Watch out for these important visual clues that could indicate a problem with your shocks:

• Oil or nitrogen gas leaking from the shock absorber is a sure sign that your seals need to be repaired. You can detect nitrogen gas leakage by spraying soapy water on the seals, and looking for bubbles.
• Rusted or dented shocks can inhibit the movement of the piston, and should be replaced without delay.
• Are your tires deteriorating faster than usual? Bad shocks could be the culprit.
• Broken or damaged springs can also result from bad shocks.

Your shock absorbers don’t just provide you with a smooth ride – they also support every component of your ATV. Replacing bad shocks right away will prevent them from wreaking havoc on the overall condition of your vehicle.

Giving Your Shocks a Field Test

Visual inspections are important, but you will not necessarily be able to tell when your shocks have gone bad just by looking at them. Because shocks deteriorate gradually, it can be hard to notice when they begin to affect performance. You will need to pay close attention when riding your quad to detect any changes. If you have another ATV with fresh shocks at your disposal, you can do a comparison test.

You can tell your ATV has bad shocks when you experience excessive turbulence on rough terrain. If you feel jolted with every minor impact, you will need to replace the shocks. Slow braking is another indication. Try riding your ATV on level ground, and hit the brakes. If you feel the vehicle tip forward right before coming to a stop, your front shocks are probably to blame. Faulty rear shocks will cause the chassis to fall backward when you accelerate in reverse. If your ATV has bad shocks on one side, the chassis will roll toward one side when you go around turns. Shaky handlebars can also result from bad shocks, but in this case, you should also check the wheel alignment and tire pressure to rule out other problems.

If and when your shocks need replacement, you can find all the parts and services you need right here at East Bay Motorsports. Our dealership is located in Hayward, CA.