Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes

how can i tell if my shocks are still "good"

Old Apr 9, 2003 | 09:53 AM
  #1  
matty's Avatar
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 40
From: CT
how can i tell if my shocks are still "good"

i bought used koni's...how can i tell if they are still in perfect working order before i install them....any way to test them?
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2003 | 10:58 AM
  #2  
DaleClark's Avatar
RX-7 Bad Ass
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (56)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,622
Likes: 2,725
From: Pensacola, FL
Simple test is to compress the shock, then watch it come back out. If you compress it, and it stays compressed and you have to pull it back out, it's definitely blown.

Check for signs of fluid leakage on the shock as well.

Koni's are pretty hardy shocks, so you'll probably be OK.

Dale
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2003 | 11:16 AM
  #3  
DamonB's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 8
From: Dallas
It's hard to be certain but dcfc3s explained the only way I know without a shock dyno.

FWIW the Koni can be completely revalved and rebuilt for about $150 each, which just happens to be about the same price you pay for new ones
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2003 | 12:19 PM
  #4  
matty's Avatar
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 40
From: CT
thanks for the responses guys...any ideas as to how i could compress the shocks?
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2003 | 12:21 PM
  #5  
DamonB's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 8
From: Dallas
You have to remove the springs from them and then just push the piston in. What you are hoping to see is the piston slowly rise back out on its own.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2003 | 02:05 PM
  #6  
matty's Avatar
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 40
From: CT
thanks!
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2003 | 05:45 PM
  #7  
matty's Avatar
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 40
From: CT
i just tested my shocks...one of the fronts doesnt decompress...if i pull it even slightly it will but not on its own? Am i ok?
The other three compress and decompress smoothly.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2003 | 06:11 PM
  #8  
Mld>7's Avatar
I Post Mad Quick Yo!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
From: Markham, Ont. Can.
you should replace the bad one..
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2003 | 10:07 AM
  #9  
matty's Avatar
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 40
From: CT
Originally posted by Mld>7
you should replace the bad one..
so u think that it is bad b/c it doesnt decompress on its own?
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2003 | 12:12 PM
  #10  
ArcWelder's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
The best way to test a shock is on a shock dyno and see if it meets spec. Race shops or places that rebuild shocks should have the equipment. Basically the shock dyno measures compression and rebound force over a certain distance of piston travel.

Mark
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2003 | 12:33 PM
  #11  
matty's Avatar
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 40
From: CT
what is rebound? how much pressure when it extends?

if so then one of my shocks doesnt have any rebound....i push it in...and it wont extend on its own...is it blown?
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2003 | 12:45 PM
  #12  
matty's Avatar
Thread Starter
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 40
From: CT
well i just called koni....they say to test the shock i need to have them on full soft and it should re-extent..if not then i have a problem. i will retest tonigth.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LongDuck
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
12
Oct 7, 2015 08:12 PM
Ernstudet22
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
6
Sep 14, 2015 09:19 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:10 AM.