How to test shocks and struts

How to test if your shocks and/or struts are blow.

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Autos & Vehicles

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• MOV01198

[Philscbx]

Shock that lost it's nitrogen doesn't mean it's lost it's hydraulic dampening if no oil leaks are present.

Standard shocks are typically 10/90.

It needs to collapse instantly (the 10) on first strike of chuck hole, then resist extension (90) slowing the rebound to almost zero the force (up to 800 lbs) the tire strikes back to the surface.

For 50 yrs, people still think standard shocks add road height.

That little squirt of nitrogen does nothing but assist you in assembly.

[wilson3707able]

hey there, maybe you could help me out. i am changing the front shocks on my 93 mr2. i bought new shocks but they dont have the mounting brackets like the one you have in the video. should i returned them and buy them just like what you have? also, when i depress them, the difference is really not that much between the new ones and the old ones. so i am wondering if i should change them at all.

[opsvideo2008]

@XxCODxXd3ath I did some research on the internet & found that both of us are to some extent, right in our own understanding. Most shock absorbers (gas type) have both gas and oil in them. But there are also el cheapo ones which have no gas but only oil in them ( hydraulic type). They are the small minority as now most have both gas & oil in them which explains why a compressed shock absorber will mostly return to its original position.

[XxCODxXd3ath]

@opsvideo2008 I could be wrong myself. But i never heard of gas shocks.

[opsvideo2008]

@XxCODxXd3ath Thank you for your detailed explaination. Over here at my end of the world, there are 2 types of shock absorbers that we can buy. The first is what they call "hydraulic shock absorbers" and the other is call "gas shock absorbers" (more expensive). What I understand is that the gas shock absorbers will "bounce back" or return to its extended position when released but this is not the case for hydraulic or oil shock absorbers. I may be wrong and welcome the explaination of others.

[XxCODxXd3ath]

@opsvideo2008 All shocks have gas and oil in them. The gas is nitrogen to be precise. keeps the oil from foaming. And is what make the shock return. The oil is what makes the shock respond slow to keep from bottoming out and returning to fast. When you go over a bump and the shock is forced in the oil in the shock is forced though a small valve. When the shock returns its from the pressure of the nitrogen. Witch pushes the shock out and sucks the oil back though the valve.

[opsvideo2008]

Your test is only valid for gas shock absorbers which will bounce back when pushed down. It will not be the case for hydraulic (oil) absorbers which I believe doesn't work on this principle you are demonstrating. But anyway, it is a nice video to show your viewers how to check for gas shock absorbers.

[narlycharley]

MR-2 FTW!