- prolonged rocking of the body when driving on uneven road surfaces;
- increase in body vibration when driving on uneven road surfaces;
- bouncing of the wheel when driving in a certain range of speeds, including on normal road surfaces and when cornering;
- involuntary unfolding of the car when braking;
- instability during cornering and skidding of the car;
- increased tire wear, characterized by abrasion of the tire pattern;
- the presence of clicks and extraneous noise when the car is moving. Clicks and light bumps can also be the cause of other suspension problems, such as loose threaded connections, failed hub bearings, or worn driveshaft constant velocity joints.
You can check the shock absorber manually, but the best result will be obtained using special equipment.
Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
While holding the shock absorber in position, extend and retract the shock absorber rod. Check the entire length of the damper rod for pitting. Check the shock absorber housing for mechanical damage. Set the shock absorber to a vertical position and check its operation by moving the shock absorber rod through its full stroke. Also check the operation of the shock absorber by moving the shock absorber rod up and down a distance of 50-100 mm. In all cases, the shock absorber rod should move smoothly with perceptible resistance. If the shock absorber rod moves jerkily or there are mechanical damages, the shock absorber must be replaced (see fig. 8.14).
In a gas-filled shock absorber, the rod from excess pressure spontaneously extends from the shock absorber to its original position. However, if there is no spontaneous extension of the rod from the shock absorber, this does not indicate a malfunction of the shock absorber. In this case, the operating mode of the gas-filled shock absorber corresponds to the operating mode of the hydraulic shock absorber. The shock absorber performs its functions without excessive gas pressure, but additional noise may appear when the shock absorber piston moves.
Check for leaks of damping fluid from the shock absorber. Small oil leaks are allowed while maintaining the normal performance of the shock absorber. If a spot of liquid leaking from the shock absorber reaches only the lower spring seat, then this is considered normal. With a slight leakage of fluid from the shock absorber, the sealing ring of the shock absorber rod is also lubricated, which increases its service life.
In case of severe fluid leakage from the shock absorber, it must be replaced.
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