9
votes
How to demonstrate that rear shocks are failing?
There should be no oil visible on the shocks. If you see oil that means they're not damping as they should be because the seals are compromised. They most certainly shouldn't be dripping, regardless ...
- 39.2k
8
votes
Accepted
Torquing Strut Nut with Tire on Ground
You should leave them just about snug, if not just a little loose. If you tighten them before you put it on the ground, when you do get the car on the ground, there will be tension on the parts, which ...
- 160k
7
votes
How to demonstrate that rear shocks are failing?
Do the knee test.
Start at the front, since those shocks are assumed to be good, because they are new.
Put your knee on the front bumper in one corner, put all your weight on it, then get off.
Count ...
- 12.2k
5
votes
Refilling custom shock absorbers with brake fluid: too soft performance?
Brake fluid and oil have a different chemical base
Oil is a hydrocarbon and brake fluid is a silicon.
They will not mix.
Therefore, the fluid seals are designed with that in mind. Brake fluid ...
- 32.9k
4
votes
How can I soften the 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 bumpy ride?
Yes, the ride will soften over time as the springs start to weaken. If the ride is bad enough, then you can replace the shocks so the suspension absorbs more road impact. Trucks are set up to ride ...
- 141
4
votes
Could worn out front shocks cause extensive inner tire wear?
First you should have replaced both front tyres together : braking stabilty water clearance etc
As for a visual check of caster, camber and kpi then if you can see 0.5 or 1 degree of misalignment ...
- 34.7k
4
votes
What technical challenges prevent deployment of pure active suspensions?
To answer your specific question, no, there are no technical impediments.
That said, there are reasons why passive components are still used.
Cost
As you might have guessed, cost is potentially the ...
- 781
4
votes
Accepted
What do Shock Absorbers Really Do?
A vehicle without shock absorbers will bounce many times after hitting a bump. The shocks basically dampen the bump force into the vehicle and they dampen (or slow) the rebound of the vehicle springs. ...
4
votes
Do worn out tires effect the brake pad, rotor and shocks?
No worn out tires will not affect brakes rotors or shocks.
But using this mechanic will affect your wallet in a negative way :)
It is a bad thing when a mechanic uses the customers lack of knowledge ...
- 589
3
votes
Do good shocks have any oil below the top half?
A shock absorber is supposed to be dry on the outside, leaking fluid (I suppose you mean that by grease?) is a sign of damage. The more hydraulic fluid a shock absorber looses the worse is it's ...
- 8,488
3
votes
Accepted
Mercury Milan - Rough ride quality, relatively new tires
With the mileage on the car I'd definitely be looking at worn-out suspension components as the cause. The "Push" test outcome you describe could suggest that the struts/shocks are failing but another ...
- 10.3k
3
votes
How to tell if rear coil springs need to be replaced on Ford Escape 2004?
The springs will rarely if ever go bad, so should last the lifetime of the car. There are only two things which really affect the longevity of springs. First is if the shock goes so bad, there's no ...
- 160k
3
votes
Accepted
Shock absorber has dropped down
It looks to me like the dust cover has just dropped down, which isn’t really a problem as far as the operation of the shock absorber is concerned. The shock absorbers are obviously getting old, so it ...
- 25.5k
3
votes
Accepted
Is there some kind of "shock tensioner" that uses the vacuum instead of air in a shock absorber?
What you propose is possible in theory but impractical in practice.
When using a compressed gas, say nitrogen which is commonly used in shocks and such, the limit of pressure is the lesser of the ...
- 12.1k
2
votes
Replacing regular twin shocks with nitrox for my bike
I used to ride an Avenger 180, 2006 model and the stock dampers were causing discomfort so I changed them with the shocks from a Yamaha Enticer. There was a paradigm shift in the ride quality, it ...
- 21
2
votes
What technical challenges prevent deployment of pure active suspensions?
To piggyback off what Hari Ganti says, it's not so much that the tech doesn't exist, but rather that it's not efficient enough (currently) to facilitate such investment.
Basically, I would say, that ...
- 3,264
2
votes
Should I change the shock absorbers on my Honda Sp shine?
Feet touching the ground completely is not required to ride safely, provided you can balance the bike steadily when stopped.
I would advise against lowering your bike if at all possible. If it is ...
- 9,005
2
votes
How to demonstrate that rear shocks are failing?
You can perform moose test on a wide dry tarmac road. Car with failing rear shocks will tend to oversteer.
EDIT:
keep constant (low) speed and turn short sharp turns left and right (Virtual slalom). ...
- 377
2
votes
Accepted
Mounting new shocks/struts for 2002 Ford Focus SE
The pinch bolt is 90Nm and the upper strut mount nuts are 25Nm.
As long as the strut isn't hitting the CV shaft it should be fine.
- 10.7k
2
votes
Is the shock bolt kit a reliable repair kit? A prequel to the obituary
The product page for this item states it's a universal fit for the shock mount. It's stated for "Ford 2010-90, Mazda 1997-91". This would include your Ranger.
With this in mind, even though you ...
- 160k
2
votes
Is it safe to drive this car (pics; broken shock; negative camber)
Is it safe? Safe is relative, but you won't be going far in that car anyway - it's broken as broken can be.
I assume you're getting the car towed to a garage for repairs. I'd suggest getting a pair ...
- 8,722
2
votes
Is it safe to drive this car (pics; broken shock; negative camber)
Not only is the shock broken but the upper suspension control arm has collapsed too. Driving the vehicle would likely cause further damage to the tyre, CV unit & possibly front differential/...
- 5,067
2
votes
Replacing only one strut increase wear?
Yes, one side will likely wear out before the other. Typically shocks/struts are changed in pairs for this specific reason. Doing so maintains ride and drivability standards.
According to Monroe ...
- 9,005
2
votes
Accepted
How to Troubleshoot "Jumpy" Rear End
I rechecked the tire pressures, they were fine, so I raised the rear of the vehicle and did a visual inspection. I didn't see anything odd or out of place.
I started tugging at things. First the anti-...
- 12.2k
2
votes
what is a Shock Absorber's Tightening Torque?
As Mike said in the comments, shoot for somewhere in between. Set your torque wrench and forget it. As long as you are hitting a number in between the specifications, your car and shock absorber will ...
- 160k
2
votes
Replacement of shocks
I've never heard of anyone replacing just one side. I would definitely think that it is a safety risk to have unbalanced shock absorbers.
- 982
2
votes
Accepted
OEM length or shorter-travel shocks/struts for a car with lowered suspension?
The short answer is, it depends. Most spring manufacturers will specify if their springs are designed to work with OEM or uprated shock absorbers. For example on my old VW Bora, I fitted a set of H&...
- 23.4k
2
votes
Why are Oleo Struts or Hydragas suspension not used in cars?
Aircraft parts are designed to perform a function at the lowest possible weight that is consistent with safe and reliable operation. If a single part such as an oleo strut -- essentially a shock ...
- 7,433
2
votes
Replacing Rear Shocks - Any Tips or Hints?
Not sure why someone would use a ratchet strap to support or lift the rear end. That seems like a good way to get dead if it were to let go when you least expect it. As for lifting the rear end, the ...
- 160k
1
vote
How common is this ? (Burst a strut)
The part you're concerned with breaking is not the part they would replace when rebuilding the strut. They're going to replace the gas canister which is in the middle of the spring. The spring bears ...
- 121
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