Bound to act as a shock absorber (6)
I believe the answer is:
spring
I believe this clue is a triple definition!
'bound' is the first definition.
(both can mean to leap)
'to act' is the second definition.
(spring is a kind of act)
'as' acts as a link.
'a shock absorber' is the third definition.
(thesaurus)
(Other definitions for spring that I've seen before include "Leap; season" , "bound to > become warped" , "See 11" , "Start season" , "Jump up in early season" .)