Testing shocks out of car

[AE86less]

Just a quick question.

I've just found that the front shocks in my 85 aren't that great, fortunately the car came with 4 spares. However I don't know what condition these are in and the only test I know is the old "one bounce" test (pushing down on car and counting bounces).

How can I check the condition of these others? I kinda need to do it before this evening if I can.

Cheers.

[Mr.Phreak]

You should be able to find some place with a shock dyno that'll be happy enough to run them for you for a few dollars.

[AE86less]

Sweet, cheers.

Anyone know of such a place round the Shore? Or do I need to actually do some work and find one?

[xsspeed]

do some work bish.

ring a garage and ask where they go, shock doctor or someone.

also explain:

KE70 2dr Wagon
SE82 FX-GT - Japanese Ratrod
AE85.4

[AE86less]

Lol.

AE85 with Smallport, K50 and standard 85 everything else which is normally AE85.5, but mine doesn't go, hence AE85.4

[Bling]

I found that dud shocks will not spring back up with any sort of determination.

So compress the shocks against the floor and see which ones spring back fastest. Thats how i'd check them quick and easy. Whether this is correct or not I don't know. But I know for a fact DEAD shocks don't spring back at all, so the theory is there

[atmosports]

Cardwells in Albany are probably the closest on the Shore. Else Stocks/Autolign can do them along with many other's.

[Boosted_162]

The Shock Shop down Curry's Lane do iirc.

[xsspeed]

shock shop was what I meant sorry, shock doctor is a brand of mouthguard lol

[Mr Revhead]

I found that dud shocks will not spring back up with any sort of determination.

So compress the shocks against the floor and see which ones spring back fastest. Thats how i'd check them quick and easy. Whether this is correct or not I don't know. But I know for a fact DEAD shocks don't spring back at all, so the theory is there

an oil shock (no gas) wont spring back up
nor will a twin tube upside down
also how fast they spring up can be determined by the valving.

[Bling]

I guess I was comparing 2 identical gas shocks then as one took a lot longer to expand back out.

So I put the good one in my car

[gmacrae]

like warwick said, not all shocks will rise back up. The most important thing to look for is their rebound resistance. Compress the shock completely and then try to extend it right back out just using both hands. A shock out of something like a corolla (light car, soft springs) will extend back out in about 3 or 4 seconds just using your hands. A shock from a much heavier car of one with firmer springs could take 10 seconds or more. Basically if it pulls back easily with bugger all resistance, the shocks stuffed. You'll be able to feel air bubbles if its an oil shock that has leaked.

[crispy'86]

I agree, and obviously if you see lots of oil covering the casing of the shock it's screwed too.

[Mr Revhead]

like warwick said, not all shocks will rise back up. The most important thing to look for is their rebound resistance. Compress the shock completely and then try to extend it right back out just using both hands. A shock out of something like a corolla (light car, soft springs) will extend back out in about 3 or 4 seconds just using your hands. A shock from a much heavier car of one with firmer springs could take 10 seconds or more. Basically if it pulls back easily with bugger all resistance, the shocks stuffed. You'll be able to feel air bubbles if its an oil shock that has leaked.

yeah thats probably a better way
a rooted shock will move quite easily. but unless you know what its like new, it can be harder to tell with some cars.
its quite surprising how soft some stock shocks are!
for example today i was playing with a 2004 lancer wagon shock.
i could compress it with one finger!

[tsoob]

Sweet, cheers.

Anyone know of such a place round the Shore? Or do I need to actually do some work and find one?

bring em up here sam will take about 30 secs to show u

[AE86less]

Sweet as man. I'll see you tomorrow


Everyone should go to Nick's shop and buy his stuff. Nick's a sickoooo!