tomble Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 Hey peeps, I've got a couple pairs of rear shocks (Starion). The clean set is from my resto project and they're both leaky, so I feel confident calling them toast The dirty set is from my parts car and as far as I can tell aren't leaking. However I realise I've never actually had known bad and known good shocks to play with and compare against. How can I tell if they're still good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllTorque Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 If you push down on them and are not hard to push or they move fast, they are bad. If they are not extending back up by themselves, they are bad. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kws Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 Looking at the photos I'd pick the one in the RH rear is already bad (hasn't fully returned like the LH rear one) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 In the bin. Unless this is a looow budget build, you will not regret new shocks. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomble Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 3 hours ago, AllTorque said: If you push down on them and are not hard to push or they move fast, they are bad. If they are not extending back up by themselves, they are bad. Alright all four are bad then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomble Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 2 hours ago, Bling said: In the bin. Unless this is a looow budget build, you will not regret new shocks. Unfortunately it'll be a bit more spenny than that for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomble Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 3 hours ago, AllTorque said: If you push down on them and are not hard to push or they move fast, they are bad. If they are not extending back up by themselves, they are bad. Hey, I don't mean to question you - I was curious and found this assertion for oil shocks? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kws Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 20 minutes ago, tomble said: Hey, I don't mean to question you - I was curious and found this assertion for oil shocks? You'd be hard pressed (heh) to find much that is modern with oil shocks, most will have (or had) gas in them. I believe the last ones I had were on my old Classic Mini and even then they offered a lot of resistance to pushing and pulling the piston rod. Check the stamped markings on the strut housing, ones with gas in them will usually say not to cut or heat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomble Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 17 minutes ago, kws said: You'd be hard pressed (heh) to find much that is modern with oil shocks, most will have (or had) gas in them. I believe the last ones I had were on my old Classic Mini and even then they offered a lot of resistance to pushing and pulling the piston rod. Check the stamped markings on the strut housing, ones with gas in them will usually say not to cut or heat. I disassembled the fronts and can confirm they're oil, I assume the rears are also (and they are leaking oil!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllTorque Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 Gas shocks have oil in them too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 1 hour ago, tomble said: Unfortunately it'll be a bit more spenny than that for me! I thought someone made replacements? Think it was in that link but haven't checked. That seemed like the best value way to go. If you are doing up a car, especially an old one and reusing old shocks, they'll need replacing at some point even if it's not today. So do it once, do it right. If they are knackered, the car will never handle well. I had a shock blow out while on a long road trip. Couldn't work out why the car no longer wanted to stay on the road on corners, scarily so. A seal had gone I think and all of the oil had pissed out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Early jap nuter Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 Doesn’t this car need a re compliance? If the shocks looked shit or look bodged they will tell you to replace them anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomble Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 1 hour ago, Bling said: I thought someone made replacements? Think it was in that link but haven't checked. That seemed like the best value way to go. If you are doing up a car, especially an old one and reusing old shocks, they'll need replacing at some point even if it's not today. So do it once, do it right. If they are knackered, the car will never handle well. I had a shock blow out while on a long road trip. Couldn't work out why the car no longer wanted to stay on the road on corners, scarily so. A seal had gone I think and all of the oil had pissed out. Yeah, I know it needs doing at some point. My hope was that the old ones had enough life in them to reuse initially while I recover $$$ and figure out what ride height I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin'joe Posted November 16, 2022 Share Posted November 16, 2022 6 hours ago, tomble said: Yeah, I know it needs doing at some point. My hope was that the old ones had enough life in them to reuse initially while I recover $$$ and figure out what ride height I want. ride height set by the spring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomble Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 9 hours ago, smokin'joe said: ride height set by the spring I know, but I'd want to get shocks to match Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin'joe Posted November 17, 2022 Share Posted November 17, 2022 14 hours ago, tomble said: I know, but I'd want to get shocks to match yes, so if you have a 'soft' shock, then find approriate spring to set height, and either get the originals rebuilt/replaced. unless going stupid low between warrants, would waste my time with coil-overs unless there are other items needing cert 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.