Noises heard when driving off the sidewalk («cannon shot»), are related to the characteristics of the shock absorber and do not indicate a malfunction.
Weakly heard «whispering» sounds (normal sound of fluid in the shock absorber) or crack (micro-movements of the clamped brake pads of the rear wheels), manifested when passengers get on and off the car, cannot be associated with shock absorbers.
Before replacing the shock absorber for «squelching», check that the noise is not coming from engine mounts, anti-roll bar strut joints (and other ball joints) or silent blocks of the shock absorber cups, and also check the tightness of the fastenings of the cups and shock absorber rods.
Before a road test, check the tightness of all fasteners and joints of the front and rear suspensions, shock absorbers, anti-roll bars, ball joints and bearing clearances.
Pic. 4.31. Action plan for «squelching» shock absorbers
Action plan for «squelching» shock absorber, see fig. 4.31.
Pic. 4.32. Scheme of actions for clicking and knocking shock absorbers
See the diagram of actions for clicking and knocking of the shock absorber in fig. 4.32.
Pic. 4.33. The scheme of actions for the squeak of shock absorbers
For a diagram of actions when the shock absorber creaks, see fig. 4.33.