Ice is the number one damaging factor when looking at a vehicle. Ice is the main cause of accidents in the winter weather. Ice can be impossible to see, such as black ice on the roads. Ice can also make it impossible to see through a windshield. The most effective way to get rid of this ice is to scrape it off the windshield. This would not be a problem if it was not common that the windshield wipers would be frozen to the windshield. In the attempt to scrape these blades off the frozen windshield, the windshield washer nozzles often get damaged.


The windshield washer nozzles often experience the trauma of being struck with the scraper. This can damage the nozzles and make them less effective than they normally are. The windshield washer nozzle can also experience the loss of the hoses that attach to the nozzles. These hoses can either be stuck to the windshield and pull away when the blade does; or they can be caught in the scraper and ripped off as the ice is scrapped away. It is important to remember that it takes a fair amount of force to scrape the ice off a windshield and this force can easily result in damaged nozzles.

The ice on the windshield is not the only ice that can damage the windshield washer nozzles. It is common that the nozzles get frozen closed. This can occur when the freeze follows a rain or wet snow. In sever cases; it is possible for the ice to break the windshield washer nozzle, splitting it along the molded seams as the ice expands. The hoses that attach to the windshield washer nozzle can also be split or separate from the nozzle as the ice forms within them.

Salt is another damaging factor that the windshield washer nozzle has to contend with. The salt from the road is kicked up onto the car as vehicles drive in front of it. This is not necessarily a bad thing except that it ruins paint jobs and makes visibility lower than it previously was. Salt also has a tendency to clog up the windshield washer nozzles and render them useless. If salt clogs the nozzle, the only way to fix it is to flush the nozzle. This means removing it from the car and running water through it. If the nozzle is replaced on to the car before it is completely dry the nozzle may break as ice forms in it.

The different homemade ice removal agents that people in the north attempt can also damage the windshield washer nozzle. One of the favorites is the vinegar and salt mixture. This is an effective method of removing ice when it is sprayed onto the windshield via a spray bottle. When the solution is put into the reservoir and then sprayed on to the windshield via the windshield washer nozzle than the solution could damage the nozzles. The acid in the vinegar can eat through the rubber and damage the nozzle to the point that it has to be replaced in order to function properly.

Even simply spraying mixtures like vinegar and salt onto the windshield to act as a de-icier, the windshield washer nozzle can be damaged. The vinegar and salt sitting on the nozzle can eventually cause a degrading of the metal clips keeping the nozzle in place. The vinegar and salt can also destroy the rubber that connects the nozzle to the hoses. This can render the whole system useless and in need of being replaced. Winter is harsh on cars, and even the smallest and least thought of parts of the car can become damaged by the weather, making it even more difficult and dangerous to drive in the winter.

Put the new shock absorber onto the vehicle in the same fashion as how you removed the old one. It doesn’t matter whether you pick the top or the bottom first, but try to remain consistent just for the sake of making the task easier. Once the shock absorber is on, put the bolts back on and lightly tighten them just enough so that the piece stays in place. Once the shock absorber is neatly in place, tighten the bolts the rest of the way with your socket set. When it comes to how tight they need to be, it’s really up to you. Some individuals believe the tighter the better, while others leave a slight bit of wiggle room in case the items need to be removed later. Your repair manual might have specifications, so when in doubt, check there.

Learning how to change shocks might seem like a challenging endeavor at first, but with the right steps and a little bit of practice, the process can save a ton of money in the long run. With a few simple tools and a process that has been proven to work, you can enjoy the feel of new shocks designed to protect the driver as well as the car from sudden impact. For more information on how to change shocks, simply consult a local collision shop or the repair manual that comes with your vehicle.

• 4 replacement shock absorbers
• Basic hand tools
• Jack and jack stands
• Repair manual

The first step to changing shocks is to lightly loosen the lug nuts on either side of the end you choose to start with. It doesn’t really matter which end you choose, but be sure not to unscrew them more than just a little bit. Many experts recommend no more than half a turn; just enough to keep them in place but loose enough to be able to safely and easily remove. While changing the shocks, the car or vehicle will need to be jacked up. Consult your own personal user’s manual when it comes to proper jacking instructions, as they will differ depending on the make and the model.