How long do shocks last

[02-SR5]

Ok, it is not related to my 4wd, my wifes little buz box has clocked over 70,000k, there is a knocking in the front suspension. The springs are brand new (lowered king springs) and the shocks seemed fine 12 months ago when I did the springs.

So my question is, how long do factory shocks last for???

Cheers.

[fullmetaljacket]

is it front wheel drive?......not the CV by chance?

I'd imagine that the shocks should last longer than 70k on a road going car

[Crunch]

Are they King Lows, super lows?

Altering the spring height either way (up or down) will prematurely wear the shocks regardless of how much you've changed it.

At 70k, I'd be thinking about upgrading them. 15k roughly since you did the springs?

[fishaholic]

My mate has done the same to his Commodore ute and lowered it, he too had a knocking noise. Turned out his shocks were running out of downward travel and bottoming out. Could be a possibility for the noise...

Andrew

[Crunch]

Also, when exactly does it knock? Whilst driving? turning? What car is it exactly? I'm sure I could find external help with this...

[Peter @ Aawen4x4]

Factory shocks that have been on the vehicle for a while before being put to use in a suspesnion setup that changes where they normally work are fairly prone to dieing pretty well straight away!! So if you've got more than about 10,000km out of them, you've done well! BUT, almost certainly, regardless of whether they are the cause of your knock, the front shocks will be dead!

[02-SR5]

So do ya all reckon the shocks are due for replacement. How can you tell if shocks are rooted. They are not leaking. It is the SRI model, so it was lowered anyway, the king springs just lowered another 15mm.

It is the wifes shopping trolly, so will be going for Monroe GT gas shocks. Never had a problem with these on a road car, and they do them for the SRI.

[Courts InSession]

Are they King Lows, super lows?

Altering the spring height either way (up or down) will prematurely wear the shocks regardless of how much you've changed it.

At 70k, I'd be thinking about upgrading them. 15k roughly since you did the springs?

Right on. I put King superlows in my old corolla, the shocks werent bad when they went in put they clapped out really quickly afterwards. Chuck some shocks at it and it will be happy in most cases. Might have a worn bush thats causing the knock.

[Crunch]

It is the wifes shopping trolly, so will be going for Monroe GT gas shocks. Never had a problem with these on a road car, and they do them for the SRI.

Go Coilovers :waycool: :D

(As long as she doesn't have any fillings :p)

No, don't... For comfort, go with something more mainstream. :thumb:

[02-SR5]

Also, when exactly does it knock? Whilst driving? turning? What car is it exactly? I'm sure I could find external help with this...

Just general knocking when driving along, like the little bumps in the road and that sort of thing.

OK dont laugh, Holden Barina SRI with 17inch bling chrome CSA rims (1.8 big block) 1.4 standard.

[Charlie W]

gday mate hows things going?, yeah the same thing happened to an old car of mine once I lowered it. the shocks just went to crap

charlie

[02-SR5]

What did you replace them with. Never really got into the ricer thing, allways delt with 4wd's.

I dont know much about road car shocks.

[Crunch]

OK dont laugh, Holden Barina SRI with 17inch bling chrome CSA rims (1.8 big block) 1.4 standard.

Nothing to laugh at, they're good looking cars :D I want my mrs to get one for her next car... Pity the SRi Turbo only comes in 2 door :cry:

[Charlie W]

What did you replace them with. Never really got into the ricer thing, allways delt with 4wd's.

I dont know much about road car shocks.


didn't replace them.. blew the gearbox up not long after and that was that
:thumb:

[davidt81]

So do ya all reckon the shocks are due for replacement. How can you tell if shocks are rooted. They are not leaking. It is the SRI model, so it was lowered anyway, the king springs just lowered another 15mm.

It is the wifes shopping trolly, so will be going for Monroe GT gas shocks. Never had a problem with these on a road car, and they do them for the SRI.

the way to check shocks the easiest way i found is take the vehicle for a decent drive and feel the shocks if they are warm they are working if cold they are not. Shocks work on friction which creates heat

[HDJ105]

So do ya all reckon the shocks are due for replacement. How can you tell if shocks are rooted. They are not leaking. It is the SRI model,


SRI model what? Astra?

[danbbode87]

mate i had an ED XR6 that i put superlows in and ppl said i didnt have to change the shock, but if it was a GLI falcon i wud have to go with new shocks as the shocks would not travelle properly, as the XR6 was already factory lowered it had the correct shocks in it, you might have the same problem.

Daniel

[Charlie W]

OK dont laugh, Holden Barina SRI with 17inch bling chrome CSA rims (1.8 big block) 1.4 standard.

SRI model what? Astra?

Barina

[FourXfouR]

Best way to test a shock is remove it from the vehicle, compress the shock and see how long it takes to extend itself
If it sits there or slowly extends, its stuffed

[Peter @ Aawen4x4]

Best way to test a shock is remove it from the vehicle, compress the shock and see how long it takes to extend itself
If it sits there or slowly extends, its stuffed

Unless it isn't a gas shock, in which case sitting there and NOT extending is what it does!!


It will only be gas charged shocks (or similar) Foam Cell's etc that have that return to length feature if they are working! Normal Oil only shocks will simply compress and stay there! With ALL shocks, the thing that highlights their functionality is that they compress smoothly at a steady rate and with a steady pressure. If they drop suddenly and then grab, sink swiftly, or even just sink under just the weight of the shaft, then it's not a good sign. If compressing them shows the first bit to be really easy and oil seeps out of the seal around the shaft, or it bubbles out, or even if it just jerkily makes its way down under gentle pressure. And inspect the shaft if it is visible, you can often see patches where the shine has gone from the shaft, or it is pitted, rusty, scratched deeply etc; all of them are bad signs!

Check 'em out!

[ingles]

I know from previous experience that the change in ride height is the cause-pedders actually make shockers to suit this type of application (at least for Falcon and Commodes).Check your local outlet,or Repco/ Autobarn/Supercrap if you dont like Pedders; i'm sure other companies must do 'em for shopping carts.

[FourXfouR]

Unless it isn't a gas shock, in which case sitting there and NOT extending is what it does!!

Very true, With an oil shock check for leaking seals, body damage and bench test it for smooth operation.

Places like pedder$ offer an on car test