Worn Shocks

[nuffsaid]

Hi all

I have my factory shocks currently off the car, how can you tell whether they are worn or are still in good shape?

[Sklyn]

do they look wet or greasy???

[LUME]

when ur fronts are worn and leak all the oil out its scary and dangerous

[nuffsaid]

Nope no leaks or oil anywhere to be seen. Dry as!

[butch]

bounce test push down on sides of the car. on the push down stroke it should settle within 2 movements .

[Duncan]

unless your car is >5 years old...they are stuffed by now. some places have an "on car shock dyno" if you want to check it but you can be pretty confident

[nuffsaid]

bounce test push down on sides of the car. on the push down stroke it should settle within 2 movements .

I heard for modern day cars this test does not necessarily prove much

Plus, shocks are off the car now =( so a little difficult. Thanks though

[nuffsaid]

unless your car is >5 years old...they are stuffed by now. some places have an "on car shock dyno" if you want to check it but you can be pretty confident

You mean if more than 5 years, its stuffed? That makes it easy then.

On a separate note, what about Bilsteins shocks - if they are 5-6 years, would they also be stuffed? maybe 60k kms on them

[blind_elk]

If they are out of the car, just try and compress the shock. Dead ones compress really easily.

If they are still in the car, "bounce" one corner. If the car stops bouncing inside 1 or 2 bounces, then the shock is basically ok.

[nuffsaid]

Off the car, I can push the rod all the way down to the bottom, in about 5 seconds using my weight and strength. It slowly return back up, very slowly.

[Dragonforce]

Should return to its full length within a few seconds.

If it takes ages then you have stuffed shocks