Suspension Question

[derik]

In the "old" days it was possible to determine if your shocks were worn out by observing the rebound of the car after bouncing the front or rear up and down several times. With the Marauder and air bags, with no physical damage or leaks seen in the rear shocks or front coil-overs, what is the best way to determine if new shocks are needed?

[fastblackmerc]

In the "old" days it was possible to determine if your shocks were worn out by observing the rebound of the car after bouncing the front or rear up and down several times. With the Marauder and air bags, with no physical damage or leaks seen in the rear shocks or front coil-overs, what is the best way to determine if new shocks are needed?
Good question!!

[Blackened300a]

Very Good Question My Rear Feels like its all over the road lately, Im wondering if its Shock replacement time but I cant determine.

Maybe turn the suspension off and do the bounce trick.

[Warpath]

Driving it and observing for several oscillations after a big event such as crossing an high crown intersection is one way. The bounce test is another way. A shock can leak some and still be perfectly fine. The MM rear shocks are actually mounted "upside-down" which will allow a little oil seepage. A little is OK.

[jgc61sr2002]

Driving it and observing for several oscillations after a big event such as crossing an high crown intersection is one way. The bounce test is another way. A shock can leak some and still be perfectly fine. The MM rear shocks are actually mounted "upside-down" which will allow a little oil seepage. A little is OK.


Very interesting. I thought when a shock leaked it was time for replacement.

[fastblackmerc]

Very interesting. I thought when a shock leaked it was time for replacement.
If it's still under warranty... bring it in to the dealership and see if they'll replace 'em....

[Blackened300a]

Driving it and observing for several oscillations after a big event such as crossing an high crown intersection is one way. The bounce test is another way. A shock can leak some and still be perfectly fine. The MM rear shocks are actually mounted "upside-down" which will allow a little oil seepage. A little is OK.
The oil in a shock should NOT leak under any circumstance. The Oil is under pressure, any leak means a loss of pressure and loss of strength of the shock.

[dwasson]

If it's still under warranty... bring it in to the dealership and see if they'll replace 'em....

The dealer insisted that mine were OK and refused to replace them under warranty.

[grampaws]

The oil in a shock should NOT leak under any circumstance. The Oil is under pressure, any leak means a loss of pressure and loss of strength of the shock.True most shocks are gas charged.. the bounce test still applies..
shocks haven't changed and air ride is just an air spring instead
of a steel coil spring...Water can get in the top of the shock and seize
it IE freeze in winter,this can damage the mounting points for the shock..
Leaking replace..Anything more than minimal residue should be considered a leak
oily shaft ok !a build up of dirt and oil around the seal should be considered a leak
no bounce replace
more than one bounce replace..

[Warpath]

The seals are not perfect and some oil will seep out when a shock is mounted upside down like the MMs are. A little seepage is OK and normal for shocks mounted in this fashion. OEs try to mount the shocks in the other direction so that this seepage does not occur and so that people don't mistake it for a shock failure. This information came from a shock engineer where I work.

[grampaws]

This is true. Some monitoring of the amounts of oil exiting the seal is
required..Wipe them of and check a week later..there is no specific
definition between leakage and seepage really comes down to a judgement
call..seal and shaft will be oily to the touch ..A build up of oily dirt around
the top of the shock would suggest the start of a leak.. If the top of the shock
is wet more oil than dirt it is leaking! Oil drips/tracks down the body of the shock
it is toast...

The seals are not perfect and some oil will seep out when a shock is mounted upside down like the MMs are. A little seepage is OK and normal for shocks mounted in this fashion. OEs try to mount the shocks in the other direction so that this seepage does not occur and so that people don't mistake it for a shock failure. This information came from a shock engineer where I work.