When to change shock absorbers?

[Enduro25]

My poor car cross about 50 speed humps a day, excluding speed regulating strips. This type of usage, how long can the shock absorbers last? Can last 10 years? I tried bouncing the car, but the suspension is too firm, I can hardly move it. My wife ill treat the car by crossing the humps at up to 60 km/h.

 

go for check and change if there's a need...

[Mzrmazda3]

Bro, with your kind of usage plus your Bor zooming pass humps at 60km/hr, your shocks would definately have an earlier retirement as compared.

 

Jap rides normally have their stock shocks leaking at around 60,000-80,000km subject to the kind of treatment which they received from their drivers

[Porche]

just changed nia...first new set

[Siyexcalibur]

When u go over those humps, does the car keep bouncing?

 

Do u feel the handling sloppy going around fast corners?

 

When u brake, does the front dive very low?

 

All these r signs of worn shocks.

 

If your mech checked & say its OK, he sud know then.

 

Answer to the above is NO, it feels okay except for the creak sound (notice it more when the car is cold)

 

My mech NEVER check one, he just says dampers are expensive and dont need to change. If I listen him, everything also do not need to change. Only need to repair if the car cannot move.

[Siyexcalibur]

I am at 120,000km (4 years old), dampers seem to be damping well except for the creaking sound. I think I will change them at 150K since times are bad.

[Siyexcalibur]

So far leak not detected, looks pretty dry, or maybe the shocks are gas driven and not oil driven.

[Boopoo]

change mine at 70000km kyb

[Pisces69]

Sometimes the "creak" sound cud b caused by the springs or worn or dry bushings.

 

Sometimes some spray lube might help but only temporary.

[Yellowrx8]

Mine rear suspension is getting softer... Wat could be the problem?

[Siyexcalibur]

Dont think caused by springs, but spraying lube is dangerous as it may get onto the rotors, after that got no brakes.

[Siyexcalibur]

Time to change your shock absorbers and burn a lot of cash

[Pisces69]

Normally its the shocks which r wearing out.

 

Springs seldom get soft unless u overload your car often.

[Yellowrx8]

Thanks broz...

Noted.

[Pisces69]

The lube is sprayed at the bushings. Use the thin long plastic tube to direct it directly to the moving parts of the bushings.

 

I used to do it regularly for my previous car which used to squeak at the bushings.

[Pisces69]

No problem. We share advice in MCF.

[Shull]

bro,

 

don't mine me tumpang your thread..

 

since abt 2yrs back, my ride has become more and more bumpy..esp when i go thru hump, totally got no damping..then when i went for servicing, my mechanic told me that my 2 rear absorber spoilt liao..oil is leaking from them..

 

he recommended me to change the 2 shocks only as the spring is still in good condition..

 

my car is coming to 6yo next jan, mileage is 140,000km..so i would like to know whether it's advisable to change the absorber or not..and approx how much is the damage?

 

also, if i want to change all 4 side to coilovers, how much will the damage be?

Edited December 4, 2008 by Shull

[Pjlee25]

roughly how much is the cost of changing shocks and springs for jap cars?

[Siyexcalibur]

I dont know your car model etc, so how to guess? You can be sure that the price difference between a lambo and chery is a lot. If anyhow guess, I think two shocks will set you back about $500 inclusive of labour if you use ORIGINAL parts. Should be cheaper if you use OEM parts or others.