how to tell is shocks are bad
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
I wouldn't believe them. Most are just parts replacers and don't have a clue about suspensions. They will not go the extra mile to actually check the suspension to see if there is a problem. Of course if they actually see something broken or bent then they may say yes there is something wrong.
I don't know how many miles you have on the car but stock shocks don't last that long and for the most part the wear is so gradual most people dont realize the shocks are gone.
Check visually to see if there are any shocks that are leaking. Then have someone follow you in their vehicle and you can see the car bouncing if they are really bad.
The best way to check is to remove them and see if they have any life left,but that is a lot of trouble and time and not everyone can do it.
In all my other cars I usually replace the shocks at 35,000 or so and replace with a heavy duty quality shock or performance type. My opinion only.
I don't know how many miles you have on the car but stock shocks don't last that long and for the most part the wear is so gradual most people dont realize the shocks are gone.
Check visually to see if there are any shocks that are leaking. Then have someone follow you in their vehicle and you can see the car bouncing if they are really bad.
The best way to check is to remove them and see if they have any life left,but that is a lot of trouble and time and not everyone can do it.
In all my other cars I usually replace the shocks at 35,000 or so and replace with a heavy duty quality shock or performance type. My opinion only.
G
Guest
·I don't think my shocks are bad. Just seems, like steering has lost the tightness and excitement that it use to have.
The parts have probably just broken in. That's normal.
I drove my Contour SVT to 150,000 miles and never replaced a shock or strut. The car handled like it was new when I sold it. I can only hope the Milan has half the longevity in its suspension parts.
I drove my Contour SVT to 150,000 miles and never replaced a shock or strut. The car handled like it was new when I sold it. I can only hope the Milan has half the longevity in its suspension parts.
[quote author=Fewshun07 link=topic=68144.msg1174754#msg1174754 date=1170098217]
I wouldn't believe them. Most are just parts replacers and don't have a clue about suspensions. They will not go the extra mile to actually check the suspension to see if there is a problem. Of course if they actually see something broken or bent then they may say yes there is something wrong.
I don't know how many miles you have on the car but stock shocks don't last that long and for the most part the wear is so gradual most people dont realize the shocks are gone.
Check visually to see if there are any shocks that are leaking. Then have someone follow you in their vehicle and you can see the car bouncing if they are really bad.
The best way to check is to remove them and see if they have any life left,but that is a lot of trouble and time and not everyone can do it.
In all my other cars I usually replace the shocks at 35,000 or so and replace with a heavy duty quality shock or performance type. My opinion only.
[/quote]
they say they did a bounce test and the car was fine.
i dont think bounce tests are as accurate as 110mph runs through CA-152
the car doesnt seem to handle as well as it used to, but that doesnt seemd to be covered by the warranty
I wouldn't believe them. Most are just parts replacers and don't have a clue about suspensions. They will not go the extra mile to actually check the suspension to see if there is a problem. Of course if they actually see something broken or bent then they may say yes there is something wrong.
I don't know how many miles you have on the car but stock shocks don't last that long and for the most part the wear is so gradual most people dont realize the shocks are gone.
Check visually to see if there are any shocks that are leaking. Then have someone follow you in their vehicle and you can see the car bouncing if they are really bad.
The best way to check is to remove them and see if they have any life left,but that is a lot of trouble and time and not everyone can do it.
In all my other cars I usually replace the shocks at 35,000 or so and replace with a heavy duty quality shock or performance type. My opinion only.
[/quote]
they say they did a bounce test and the car was fine.
i dont think bounce tests are as accurate as 110mph runs through CA-152
the car doesnt seem to handle as well as it used to, but that doesnt seemd to be covered by the warranty
Joined
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328 Posts
Could it be tire wear that is causing your problem?
[quote author=captainhook link=topic=68144.msg1175643#msg1175643 date=1170124843]
Could it be tire wear that is causing your problem?
[/quote]
im not sure, how do i measure the tread, is it the depth of the tread on the edges, or in the middle of the tire?
Could it be tire wear that is causing your problem?
[/quote]
im not sure, how do i measure the tread, is it the depth of the tread on the edges, or in the middle of the tire?
Joined
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328 Posts
Depends.
I am assuming that based on your previous posts regarding the way you drive that it is aggressive.
How many miles do you have on your car? If you look at your tires is the tread appear to be less in the center then it is on the outside of the tires? Is there less tread on the outsides compared to the insides? Do you rotate your tires? If not, is the a difference in the tread between the front and rear tires?
When was your car new? Do you live in an area where the temps have dropped since you got the car? i.e. It is now winter and it is 30 or 40 degrees colder then in the summer or fall?
Have you checked your tire pressure? Tire pressure is a big factor in the handling, stopping ability, ride, and fuel efficiency of a car.
I am assuming that based on your previous posts regarding the way you drive that it is aggressive.
How many miles do you have on your car? If you look at your tires is the tread appear to be less in the center then it is on the outside of the tires? Is there less tread on the outsides compared to the insides? Do you rotate your tires? If not, is the a difference in the tread between the front and rear tires?
When was your car new? Do you live in an area where the temps have dropped since you got the car? i.e. It is now winter and it is 30 or 40 degrees colder then in the summer or fall?
Have you checked your tire pressure? Tire pressure is a big factor in the handling, stopping ability, ride, and fuel efficiency of a car.
i don't drive aggressively, i'm just courteous to other people who are in a hurry so i don't drive slower than anyone else.
its around 8400 miles, the tread on the edges appear to be very slightly less than the middle, but it seems that it was that way when it was new (the way the tread tapers at the edge)
i rotated my tires at 5000 miles, i live in california so temperature doesnt change that much
i check my tire pressure every week
maybe its in my head, i duno, but does there appear to be a controlled and accurate test for shock wear?
its around 8400 miles, the tread on the edges appear to be very slightly less than the middle, but it seems that it was that way when it was new (the way the tread tapers at the edge)
i rotated my tires at 5000 miles, i live in california so temperature doesnt change that much
i check my tire pressure every week
maybe its in my head, i duno, but does there appear to be a controlled and accurate test for shock wear?
Joined
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53 Posts
go over some rolling hills. If you feel the car feel like its floating when you go get past the peak, thats a good sign your shocks have gone bad.
Joined
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53 Posts
easiest way to check shocks is to bounce test it. bounce the front of the car a few times by putting your weight on the radiator support, when you stop, it should stop within 1 or two bounces. repeat for rear. thats the way that manufactures say to test them on the car
[quote author=takotruckin link=topic=68144.msg1201457#msg1201457 date=1171244922]
easiest way to check shocks is to bounce test it. bounce the front of the car a few times by putting your weight on the radiator support, when you stop, it should stop within 1 or two bounces. repeat for rear. thats the way that manufactures say to test them on the car
[/quote]
it passes the bounce test but doesnt test my 110mph through the mountains driving test
easiest way to check shocks is to bounce test it. bounce the front of the car a few times by putting your weight on the radiator support, when you stop, it should stop within 1 or two bounces. repeat for rear. thats the way that manufactures say to test them on the car
[/quote]
it passes the bounce test but doesnt test my 110mph through the mountains driving test
Joined
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263 Posts
[quote author=Nr9 link=topic=68144.msg1285940#msg1285940 date=1174644645]
no i am seriously concerned about the safety of shocks that seem to go bad after 5K miles
the shop says they are good, but i dont believe it, given how the car is handling.
[/quote]
If the dealership says they are good, then they prob. are. Warranty work sucks, but when it comes to the safety of others, I always consider every possible situation, but 110 mph is ridiculous. I highly doubt there are anything wrong with your shocks. A mechanic would replace shock(s)/strut(s) before pulling them off the car, removing the spring (s) and pushing them in and waiting for them to come back out; completely unnecesary. If you don't know if a shock is bad by using your eyes, ears and common sense to diag., you shouldn't be working on cars anyways - (that is pertaining to the technicians @ your dealership that say the shocks are fine); which by the way without even driving/looking at the car I believe them.
no i am seriously concerned about the safety of shocks that seem to go bad after 5K miles
the shop says they are good, but i dont believe it, given how the car is handling.
[/quote]
If the dealership says they are good, then they prob. are. Warranty work sucks, but when it comes to the safety of others, I always consider every possible situation, but 110 mph is ridiculous. I highly doubt there are anything wrong with your shocks. A mechanic would replace shock(s)/strut(s) before pulling them off the car, removing the spring (s) and pushing them in and waiting for them to come back out; completely unnecesary. If you don't know if a shock is bad by using your eyes, ears and common sense to diag., you shouldn't be working on cars anyways - (that is pertaining to the technicians @ your dealership that say the shocks are fine); which by the way without even driving/looking at the car I believe them.
[quote author=yeloxr7 link=topic=68144.msg1314579#msg1314579 date=1175798951]
Slow down. 110MPH on a mountain road (any road actually) is dangerous and irresponsible. Especially if you don't have the proper tools and training. Public roads are not race tracks......
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its not really a mountain road, 110mph is actually fine on CA-152, i won't do 110mph on a road like CA-17, besides its not just me, other people are driving 110mph too (this happens at midnight), and if i drive slower than its dangerous.
i expect some tightness in the handling of a car that was there before, but isn't any more, and its easier to feel the looseness at 110mph than at 85mph. if its looser at high speed, then it will have an obvious effect on safety in lower speeds as well
is there anyway to fix this looseness? dealership says nothing is wrong but im skeptical
Slow down. 110MPH on a mountain road (any road actually) is dangerous and irresponsible. Especially if you don't have the proper tools and training. Public roads are not race tracks......
[/quote]
its not really a mountain road, 110mph is actually fine on CA-152, i won't do 110mph on a road like CA-17, besides its not just me, other people are driving 110mph too (this happens at midnight), and if i drive slower than its dangerous.
i expect some tightness in the handling of a car that was there before, but isn't any more, and its easier to feel the looseness at 110mph than at 85mph. if its looser at high speed, then it will have an obvious effect on safety in lower speeds as well
is there anyway to fix this looseness? dealership says nothing is wrong but im skeptical
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