Shock Absorbers, Checking When Removed

Shock Absorbers, Checking when Removed

Defective shock absorbers are noticeable when driving due to loud rumbling noises - a result of wheel hopping - especially on poor stretches of road. Moreover, they can be recognized by a large loss of oil.

• Shock absorbers are maintenance-free, shock absorber oil cannot be topped off.

A removed shock absorber can be checked by hand as follows:

- Press the shock absorber together by hand.

• Piston rods must move smoothly and with uniform difficulty over the entire range

- Release piston rods.

• On shock absorbers with sufficient gas pressure, piston rods return to initial position by themselves.

• If this is not the case, shock absorber must be replaced. As long as there is no large loss of oil, the mode of operation corresponds to that of a conventional shock absorber.

• The damping function is also completely available without gas pressure, as long as there is no large loss of oil. However, noise may increase.