I'm a noob...what can I say hehe. Anyone have any pointers on what to look for when inspecting used coilovers? I know nothing about this short of seeing any oil leaking is bad lol I'd love to have the coilovers looked over & inspected professionally, but I don't know who to go to, or what shop would have that kind of equipment to be able to do so. I asked a few local shops thus far, and got nowhere fast (they recommended sending the units back to the manufacturer to be inspected...).

I did a search, and this is all I came up w/:

https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/how-check-coilovers-474645/
https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/can-you-test-coilovers-see-if-they-need-rebuilt-422783/
https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/what-look-when-buying-2nd-hand-coilovers-187665/

Not much info

So if anyone knows of a shop that could inspect coilovers, that would be awesome. In the absence of that, if you guys have any pointers on what to look for, that would be great!

Thanks
~Ramy

 

Remove the springs and check if the struts compress and rebound smoothly. You can also check for play in the upper mounts.

 

The only thing you can do without paying $$$ to put them on a shock dyno is make sure they are not leaking. Look closely at the shafts for any scratches. Study the bottom of the shock body for signs of it being hit hard from a heavily bottoming car. Be sure the top mounts are sound. Then install them on the car to see how they act and if the adjustments make the car respond differently.

 

Thanks guys. I can't even find a shop w/ a shock dyno around here...so I think I'm gonna take your pointers, and ask Ray & PFS (who agreed to look 'em over with me) to point 'em out for me, noob style

Damon, shock dyno is expensive to use?

 

Found a local shop:

Jay-Dee Supply Co.
Baltimore, MD 21226
715 E. Ordnance Road
410-760--1100

I spoke w/ Bob from the shop, and he said as long as the coilovers have 1/2" hiems (spelling?) on each end, he can test them for $15 a shock. I have NO IDEA what hiems are lol. Do FD coilovers have 1/2" hiems on each end??

Thanks
~Ramy