How do I know when to replace shocks?
11-14-2002, 07:01 PM
#1
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How do I know when to replace shocks?
Have read 2 threads today on shocks. What are the signs for wore out shocks?
When I bought the car 3 years ago, shocks were not mentioned on the PPI. Had the timing belt changed 2 years ago and the mechanics suggested changing the shocks. I didn't notice any change in the way the car handled between the PPI and the timing belt though. My car is a 1990 944 Cab with 65K miles. I need new tires and an alignment. How do I know if I need shocks?
When I bought the car 3 years ago, shocks were not mentioned on the PPI. Had the timing belt changed 2 years ago and the mechanics suggested changing the shocks. I didn't notice any change in the way the car handled between the PPI and the timing belt though. My car is a 1990 944 Cab with 65K miles. I need new tires and an alignment. How do I know if I need shocks?
11-14-2002, 08:25 PM
#2
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You can always upgrade your suspension and if your have OEM with 65k on them you don't really need to change them.
Shocks, springs and tires are always good to upgrade.
Shocks, springs and tires are always good to upgrade.
11-14-2002, 10:33 PM
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I asked the same question this past spring.
I have an 89 S2 which had 69k on it.
Tom Pultz told me I needed new shocks the moment the car left the factory. At first I wanted to think he was being a sarcastic dik.
He was/is dead right. I replaced the shocks with Koni Yellows, and am pissed I didnt do it sooner! I kept the stock springs because I didnt want to upset the balance, or be put into the modified class as SCCA events with the guys that really know what they are doing.
Well worth the $750 (parts & labor)
I have an 89 S2 which had 69k on it.
Tom Pultz told me I needed new shocks the moment the car left the factory. At first I wanted to think he was being a sarcastic dik.
He was/is dead right. I replaced the shocks with Koni Yellows, and am pissed I didnt do it sooner! I kept the stock springs because I didnt want to upset the balance, or be put into the modified class as SCCA events with the guys that really know what they are doing.
Well worth the $750 (parts & labor)
11-14-2002, 11:53 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Pick a corner of the car.
Press on it hard enough to compress the suspension a few times.
Let go and watch what the car does. If the shocks are good, it should return quickly and smoothly to its normal position. If the car bounces a few times, you're shocks aren't doing their job(which is to dampen the bounces). If you can check out someone else's car with a good set of shocks, you can compare how they react to how yours do to get a feeling if yours are bad.
If they've never been replaced they're probably due. Which means its time for some Koni Yellows! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Press on it hard enough to compress the suspension a few times.
Let go and watch what the car does. If the shocks are good, it should return quickly and smoothly to its normal position. If the car bounces a few times, you're shocks aren't doing their job(which is to dampen the bounces). If you can check out someone else's car with a good set of shocks, you can compare how they react to how yours do to get a feeling if yours are bad.
If they've never been replaced they're probably due. Which means its time for some Koni Yellows! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
11-15-2002, 04:12 PM
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Another good indicatation of wether or not they are bad is if they are leakingfluid. If you notice any fluid on the front struts it is a pretty good idea to have them changed because more than likely they are shot.
11-16-2002, 03:21 AM
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Nice one, Tom 
But being right doesn't change the fact that he's a sarcastic dik, does it? 
<img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
Chris, OE shocks for the 944 are normally lasting 80-100k miles... most folks replace them to upgrade, or simply get that "new" feeling back. They do certainly wear down over time - seals fail, fluid breaks down, etc. The bounce test will usually only tell you when it's too late to replace the shocks - e.g. they are completely gone either in bump or rebound.
Driving style, road conditions and operating environment can cause the shocks to prematurely fail. Without having the shocks off the car and on a dyno, there's really no non-physical inspection to tell if they are "worn out". Fluid leaks are the only real physical sign of failure - the shock piston should have a very thin film of oil on it. Taking them off the car and compressing them by hand can help diagnose a gross problem... but again, hard to be sure without a proper shock dyno test.
Basically, it's a feel thing...
Good Luck!
But being right doesn't change the fact that he's a sarcastic dik, does it? <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" /> Chris, OE shocks for the 944 are normally lasting 80-100k miles... most folks replace them to upgrade, or simply get that "new" feeling back. They do certainly wear down over time - seals fail, fluid breaks down, etc. The bounce test will usually only tell you when it's too late to replace the shocks - e.g. they are completely gone either in bump or rebound.
Driving style, road conditions and operating environment can cause the shocks to prematurely fail. Without having the shocks off the car and on a dyno, there's really no non-physical inspection to tell if they are "worn out". Fluid leaks are the only real physical sign of failure - the shock piston should have a very thin film of oil on it. Taking them off the car and compressing them by hand can help diagnose a gross problem... but again, hard to be sure without a proper shock dyno test.
Basically, it's a feel thing...
Good Luck!
11-17-2002, 01:02 AM
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[quote]Originally posted by Tom R.:
<strong>Well worth the $750 (parts & labor)</strong><hr></blockquote>
Where is the best place to get the konig Yellows?$750 sounds like a pretty good deal. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />
<strong>Well worth the $750 (parts & labor)</strong><hr></blockquote>
Where is the best place to get the konig Yellows?$750 sounds like a pretty good deal. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />
