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Failure to do so will affect the suspension performance, durability.
Inspection of the shock absorber can be performed by doing a heat test, and a visual inspection.
It is not necessary to replace shock absorbers in pairs if one shock absorber requires replacement.
Heat test
- Drive the vehicle at moderate speeds on rough road for minimum of fifteen minutes.
WARNING
!
Do not grab the shock as it could possibly cause personnal injury.
- Lightly touch the shock body carefully.
- Using an infrared thermometer to check temperature of the shock absorber. A working shock must be warm. If it
remains cold, consider it as defective.
- To inspect for an internal failure, remove and shake the suspected shock. Listen for the sound of metal parts rattling
inside. Rattling of metal parts can indicate that the shock has an internal failure.
Visual inspection
Look for these potential problems when doing a visual inspection.
Inspect the shock absobers fully extended. Replace as necessary.
Damaged upper or
lower stud
Leaking vs. misting shock visual inspection
The inspection must not be conducted after driving in wet weather or a vehicle
wash; shocks need to be free from water. Many shocks are often mis-diagnosed as
failures. Misting is the process whereby very small amounts of shock fluid
evaporate at a high operating temperature through the upper seal of the shock.
When the « mist » reaches the cooler outside air, it condenses and forms a film on
the outside of the shock body. Misting is perfectly normal and necessary function
of the shock. The fluid which evaporates through the seal area helps to lubricate
and prolong the life of the seal.
A shock that is truly leaking and needs to be replaced will show signs of fluids
leaking in streams from the upper seal. These streams can easily be seen when
the shock is fully extended, underneath the main body.
RI 003-04/11
SHOCK ABSORBER INSPECTION
Damaged upper or
lower joint
Damaged dust cover
or shock body
Section 1
Preliminary
Bent or dented shock
MISTING VS LEAKING
Misting
Leaking
(OK)
(Replace)
Inspect with shock fully
extended.
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