Thread: How do you tell if shockies are worn?

If they were original they wouldn't "20 minutes later they still hadn't pushed themselves back out" as they aren't gas pressurised

The OE D1/Defender dampers were twin tube hydraulic without any gas pressurisation.

In a gas pressurised damper the gas doesn't provide any damping, all damping on a modern damper is hydraulic, so even if a twin tube gas pressurised damper loses it's nitrogen it can still work effectively if it hasn't lost any oil or isn't worn or broken internally.

A mono tube damper such as a Bilstein won't work adequately if it loses it's gas charge, but it's highly likely it's lost it's hydraulic fluid as well.
It's just the way they are designed/built.

For the average punter checking shock absorbers/dampers is nigh on impossible, even experienced race car drivers can't often pick a dying shock.
The only surefire way is to remove a damper and dyno it.
Mostly you replace on mileage/time unless you are experienced at setting up suspensions.

bounce on the bull bar or tow hitch.

more than one oscillation (up down then return to normal height) is excessive.

depending on how firm the shockies were to start with anything more than a return to the rest position may be excessive

I had a 74 Galant and took the shockies off it for a while - made no difference - likewise try bouncing a 101 - ain't going to happen.

I find the best way is to get a mate to drive your car along a B road at about 100kph. Follow along in another car and observe the motion of each wheel in turn. If the wheel tracks along with no obvious bounce then the shockie is OK - certainly for on road use. If there is a is a bit of bounce or a lot then the shockies have failed or are on the way out.

Garry

Speed humps are useful for shocker testing. If the car does a few wallows after the bump they are probably stuffed. Mind you a top rate shocker can wear to be a just adequate shocker without being actually failed. It all depends on how you want to drive the beast.

A few years ago due to financial limitations, I repaced the D1 shockies with a cheap pair. Made an enormous difference, it now stayed on course and didn't wallow all over the road. Bounce test was the same as the 101, didn't happen. Now they are worn out and the new konis are waiting to be fitted.

What if on the speed hump test there is banging noise coming from the rear end?
The girlfriends Honda with 220,000kms does that.

Thanks for the info.
Cheers

the honda is rooted and needs to be replaced.

Id recommend a D1.

I don't reckon she is going to fall for that one from me, she is amazed how much money I pour into the '93 classic.

mikm