- Prolonged vibrations of the body after moving bumps.
- Rocking of the body when moving bumps following one after another.
- Wheel hops on a flat road.
- «Pecks» car when braking (there may be other reasons).
- Instability when cornering and insufficient retention of a straight course, vehicle vibration.
- Abnormal tire wear with scuffs in the tire pattern.
- A defective shock absorber is also recognized by the fact that knocks and ringing are heard during movement. However, these noises can often have other causes, such as loose chassis bolts and nuts, faulty wheel bearings, CV joints. Always check the shock absorber before replacing it, it is better at a special stand.
The shock absorber can be checked by hand. An accurate check of the effectiveness of the shock absorber is possible only on a special stand (shock absorber installed) or with a special device.
Hand checking
Remove shock absorber.
While holding the shock absorber in the installation position, stretch and compress it. The shock absorber must move with uniform force and without jamming throughout the entire compression and extension stroke.
In gas-filled shock absorbers, the stem, with sufficient gas pressure, automatically returns to the extended position. If this is not the case, then the shock absorber must always be replaced. The way of operation is the same as that of a conventional shock absorber, as long as there is no large loss of oil. The damping functions are also retained without gas pressure, however, the noise characteristics deteriorate.
When working properly, small traces of damping oil are not the basis for. shock absorber replacement. There is a hard and fast rule: if an oil slick is noticeable, and it does not expand from the upper shock mount (shock absorber piston rod seal) to the lower spring nut, then the shock absorber can be considered serviceable. The oil stain is expected to shrink, loosen, or dry with dust. A small oil leak is even an advantage, because it lubricates the oil seal and increases its service life.
If there is a severe oil leak, replace the shock absorber.