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Topic: Determining if a shock is bad

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


Determining if a shock is bad

Posted: 11/13/11 4:12pm Message 1 of 6
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Pittsburgh, PA - USA
Joined: 12/4/2002
Posts: 600
Vette(s): 1979 L-82, 3 spd auto, car was originally Lt. Beige currently painted Sportsman Red, Doeskin leather interior, 103,000 miles......
Today, I removed the Monroe shocks that the previous owner had on the rears of my car. I'm changing them regardless, but wondered....is it normal to be able to compress a shock by simply pushing the ends together by hand?
 
And are they supposed to recoil or just stay compressed (mine stayed compressed). Im pretty sure this isnt right, but needed to hear it from the experts.......
 
 



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Re: Determining if a shock is bad

Posted: 11/13/11 4:37pm Message 2 of 6
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
If I remember correctly from way back when C3's were the current Corvettes and I was selling shocks, tires, batteries, etc., how a shock handles by compressing by hand means little...testing shocks on the car is how it's done.

On the car, if the shock isn't leaking (where it's obviously bad), you push down the fender several times to get it to rock.  When you let go, the car fender should rise up, go down and rise to a stop.  If it keeps on rocking more than that the shock is worn out.

If that procedure has changed I'm not aware of it, but shock technology has changed a great deal over the years.



Re: Determining if a shock is bad

Posted: 11/13/11 5:28pm Message 3 of 6
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Sykesville, MD - USA
Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4240
Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops
If they are gas shocks, they should come right back out. Standard shocks would not. Make sure you use gas shocks with that new fiberglass spring!
 
Barry
 
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Re: Determining if a shock is bad

Posted: 11/13/11 5:42pm Message 4 of 6
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Pittsburgh, PA - USA
Joined: 12/4/2002
Posts: 600
Vette(s): 1979 L-82, 3 spd auto, car was originally Lt. Beige currently painted Sportsman Red, Doeskin leather interior, 103,000 miles......
Yes sir I ordered KYB GR2's as recommended by VBandP.
 
It is a moot point, but Im just curious........



Re: Determining if a shock is bad

Posted: 11/13/11 7:11pm Message 5 of 6
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Sykesville, MD - USA
Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4240
Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops
If you only had worn out regular shocks, you will positively LOVE the new setup!
 
Barry
 
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Re: Determining if a shock is bad

Posted: 11/14/11 8:04pm Message 6 of 6
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York, PA - USA
Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518
Vette(s): 1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top
Some shocks don't expand once they are compressed..one thing I look for is how much resistance it takes to pull them back out to full extension. If its really easy then its pretty worn out..



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in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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