[KCMOSpyder]

While up on the lift changing oil notices that both rear shocks are leaking fluid. 2013 volt with 47000 miles. Anyone else experienced premature shock failure?

 

[T-Keith]

Do they actually feel bad? I think "leaking" shocks are a common tactic by repair shops to sell you more services. If they don't feel shot, and handling is normal I would not worry about it.

 

[Dutch]

First... what T-Keith said
Secondly, the Volt is a heavy car so the shocks can take a lot of stress especially if the streets are bad.

Where I live in VA... shocks tend to last forever. Where I grew up in Upstate NY you were lucky to get 2-3 years or about 20k miles out of a set.

 

[FI Spyder]

If they don't feel shot they soon will be. It can happen. On my '88 Tercel at 186,000 Km. one front shock was fine, one had leaked and had little resistance, so you never know when they can go.

 

[Don M]

The 'job' of a shock absorber is to dampen oscillations of the unsprung mass to help keep the tire in good contact with the road surface. It does that by transferring those jolts into the chassis, so a worn out shock actually gives you a better, smoother ride than a brand new set of shocks - If you're trying to judge the condition of your shocks by evaluating the ride, well, good luck

If a shock is leaking oil, it's toast - Anyone telling you it needs to be replaced is telling you the truth. Is 47K 'premature'? Maybe it is if all those miles were freeway miles, but if they were predominantly around town miles on poor roads, it's probably about average. Maybe more than half of all cars on the road are in need of a new set of shocks, but since 'it rides just fine' on worn out shocks, most people don't bother to change them when they should and that's dangerous because handling and stopping is hard to do when your tires are not in good contact with the road

Don

 

[Orienteer]

I replaced both rear shocks on my 2014 with less than 10k miles on the ODO. There was a rattling noise coming from the left rear side that I could hear at low speeds. I checked everything inside and outside of of the car for any lose bolts, connections, wires, and so on and found none. Then I thought that maybe the plastic cover over the shock was somehow moving against the shock making the noise, but it wasn't that. Dealer was completely clueless. Eventually, I scooped a pair of mechanics ears and traced the noice to the left shock. After taking it off the car, It had no sign of leaking oil and had normal rebound. The ride quality wasn't affected neither. Bought new shocks, they come in pairs, and replaced both. Rattle was gone. Still not exactly sure what was wrong inside of it but was very releaved with the rattle now gone.
It is possible that you have defected shocks but at almost 50k it is not unheard of them needing to be replaced.

 

[uchual]

I replaced both rear shocks on my 2014 with less than 10k miles on the ODO. There was a rattling noise coming from the left rear side that I could hear at low speeds. I checked everything inside and outside of of the car for any lose bolts, connections, wires, and so on and found none. Then I thought that maybe the plastic cover over the shock was somehow moving against the shock making the noise, but it wasn't that. Dealer was completely clueless. Eventually, I scooped a pair of mechanics ears and traced the noice to the left shock. After taking it off the car, It had no sign of leaking oil and had normal rebound. The ride quality wasn't affected neither. Bought new shocks, they come in pairs, and replaced both. Rattle was gone. Still not exactly sure what was wrong inside of it but was very releaved with the rattle now gone.
It is possible that you have defected shocks but at almost 50k it is not unheard of them needing to be replaced.

That's really early for shock issues.

So you paid for the damage. Was it not covered under any sort of warranty?

 

[Orienteer]

So you paid for the damage. Was it not covered under any sort of warranty?

I think I paid $40 for shocks, plus my own time in the garage of about an hour. Dealer gave me the typical runaround that they could not replicate the issue after two visits. It wasn't worth my neurons fighting with them.

 

[uchual]

Yup. I hear you. Dealers will fight tooth and nail to save a penny.

Pick your battles, like they say!

 

[turboguy327]

That's really early for shock issues.

So you paid for the damage. Was it not covered under any sort of warranty?

Wear item covered for 1 year/12k miles. Other wise maybe covered under B2B for 3/36k. But why should GM pay to maintain everyone’s car?