Thread: Worn-out CVDs? Maybe not

If MY11-12 owners suspect that their shocks may be worn-out then unplug the connector from the top of a shock (front or rear, it doesn't matter) to disable adaptive dynamics then go for a drive. If the car rides like a brick then the shocks are still capable of doing their job but may need to be recalibrated.

Mine were showing signs of inadequate damping after 65k kms. I then found the IIDTool option (maybe only the beta version) to re-calibrate adaptive dynamics. I wasn't sure that re-calibration, initiated whilst stationary, achieved anything much and recently decided that the shocks were beyond help, that was until I disconnected 1 shock to test. Being obvious that the shocks were not worn-out I pondered the IIDTool's 10 second count-down after OK'ing the calibration so re-initiated calibration whilst driving a rough section of my driveway. The result after a driveway test with the vehicle empty and again towing the 2T van is that the shocks are working very well but could possibly be over-damping a little. I'll live with the calibration for a while then if the current ride is too harsh I'll re-calibrate whilst driving the gravel road at 50-80 kph, being a less severe calibration surface.

The ride was overly firm so a strip of slightly bumpy tarmac was used for another calibration and this time they feel about right, with good bounce and cornering control yet glides over smaller bumps. The calibration can easily be re-done if required, eg if the front or rear bounces with the van in tow or the ride on corrugations could be improved. I note that the Velar adjusts its CVDs for rough and off-road usage.