Long-term vibration of the body when the thresholds are uneven.
The body sways when the road unevenness follows one after another.
Wheels bounce even on a flat road.
Car breakdown when braking (may also have other causes).
Danger when turning due to insufficient longitudinal stability, skidding of the vehicle.
Abnormal tire wear with smoothing (washing out) of the tread pattern.
During the trip, a defective shock absorber is also determined by rumbling noises and crackling. However, such noises can often have other causes. They can be caused, for example, by loose bolts and nuts of the chassis, a defective wheel hub bearing, a constant velocity joint. Therefore, before replacing the old shock absorber, you should always check it, if necessary, on a shock absorber test stand.
The shock absorber can be tested manually. Accurate control of the shock absorber's ability to withstand load is possible only with the use of a shock tester (without removing the shock absorber) or on a shock absorber test stand.
Checking the shock absorber manually
Remove the shock absorber.
Hold the shock absorber in the position as when installed, then stretch and compress it at least three times. Throughout the entire stroke, the shock absorber piston rod should move equally hard and without jolts.
With a gas-filled shock absorber, the piston rod automatically returns to its original position when there is sufficient gas pressure. If this does not happen, this does not mean that the shock absorber must be replaced. The action of such a shock absorber corresponds to the action of a conventional shock absorber until increased oil loss begins. Damping is fully performed without gas pressure, but noise absorption is worse.
If the shock absorber is working properly, minor traces of oil on its surface are not a reason to replace it. The basic rule: if the oil stain is obvious and does not extend further than from the piston rod seal to the lower spring plate, the shock absorber is considered to be in order. The prerequisite for this is that the oil stain is matte, dull or, due to dust, dried. A slight oil leak is even an advantage, since it lubricates the sealing ring and therefore lasts longer.
If there is a large loss of oil, replace the shock absorber.