Checking shock absorbers after wearing two sets of tires (Mondeo 3)

During their working life, shock absorbers become an "air pump": after wearing out two sets of tires, shock absorbers usually lose almost 50% of their initial impact and therefore need to be replaced. Since this reduction in their effect occurs slowly and not so abruptly, it is difficult to notice the loss in their performance immediately. Instinctively, like most drivers, you adapt to the worsened dynamic parameters of movement: in extreme situations, this can lead to nasty surprises. To prevent this from happening, you need to have your shock absorbers tested annually on the test bench of your car club or at TÜV or DEKRA. The rocking method, when you shake your car by the wings to "test" its resonance properties, is clearly not enough here. This way you can "expose" only a completely worn shock absorber. But still, pay attention to the following symptoms:

• Is the steering mechanism shaking? In this case, the wheels "dance" on the ground or are not balanced correctly.
• Does your Mondeo resonate strongly after driving over bumps in the road?
• How does it handle corners? Does it bounce on every bump in the road surface?
• Is the tire wear uniform (partially worn surfaces)?
• Are there strong oil marks visible on the shock absorber housing? Small "oil inclusions" are a common occurrence.

TECHNICAL DICTIONARY

This is how a shock absorber works Your Mondeo uses twin-tube shock absorbers to dampen the wheels. They consist of a working cylinder in which a valved working piston moves up and down. The working cylinder envelops a second cylinder, which forms a "storage room" for hydraulic oil. Pressure stage: the piston moves downwards and on its way squeezes hydraulic oil through the valve into the space above the piston. The design of the valve determines the appearance of resistance (wheel damping) that the working piston must overcome. Traction stage: the unloaded spring returns the working piston back to its initial position. At the same time, the oil displaced above the piston goes back through the compression valve into the reserve chamber. The valve determines the resistance (wheel damping) that the working piston must overcome. From top to bottom: Twin-tube shock absorber (section). 1 - Upper mount with elastic rubber support, 2 - Protective tube, 3 - Connecting rod, 4 — Connecting rod guide with seal, 5 — Working cylinder, 6 — Valve piston with spring washers, 7 - Outer tube, 8 — Compression valve with check valve and valve spring washer, 9 - Bottom mount.

(The article was taken in its entirety from the specified website: www.fordbook.ru)