Hello All

How do you test shock absorbers ?

Not just the subjective bouncy feeling a vehicle gets, but a real quantifyable test ?

I ran across these specifications for rear bilstein shocks on a w123 body.

At 84mm of compression Mercedes minimum is 34lbs. new are 51 lbs.

Does anyone know the numbers for the front shocks ?


Thank You

RichC

P.S. I am looking for some used bilsteins for the front of my 81 300D. I have one. But I need two.
I will buy single shocks if you have them. or a pair.

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When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix

bounce

__________________

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix

Why not just buy a new one? Or two new?

200K stock shocks will pass the bounce test...

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

There is a procedure for testing rear shocks and front struts on 124 chassis, jobs 32-121 and 32-120. May bea procedure for 123 chasiss too. However, if shocks are original they probably perform poorly next to new heavy duty bilsteins.

I've put new heavy duty bilstein shocks and front struts on three 124's lately and one 123 and the difference in handling is very obvious.

If they are old, they are shot. These shocks only "bounce" when they are totaly shot, the ride is poor long before that point.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

One method I've used is to either remove the shock from the vehicle or just get one end loose and then try to rapidly compress and extend it by hand to check the resistance. A lot of shocks will have minimal resistance in jounce (pushing the shock together) even when new, but when you get little to no resistance in either direction, it's time for new shocks.

Of course, when the shock pukes shock oil everywhere, that's a pretty good clue that it's done

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

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Hello All

Does anyone have a new shock they could stick on a bathroom scale and compress, and tell us how many pounds of resistance there is ?

Thank you

RichC

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:

__________________

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix

my experiences confirm what HitmanX and Hatteras said....the bounce test does not work real good. Mine "passed" the bounce test with ease and put on new front shocks anyway. It did need it, it does ride soooooo much better with the new shocks. Just do it.

__________________
Mark
1983 300TD Wagon
Even a broken watch is right twice a day

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Hello All

I am a scavanger by heart.

I much rather buy used, but still in good condition.

Plus I have a lot more time than money.

People throw away lots of good stuff every day.

I am kind of a tree huger, dirt worshiper, gear head.


If I can get the specks for the shocks, I can put together a matched pair.

Even new shocks may not be a matched pair after a few years of use.

Can you say the ones on your car are ?


I purchased three shocks via craigslist.
The two rear shocks are in almost new shape.
I do not know about the one front shock yet ( reason for the post )
Paid $30 including shipping.

Thank You

RichC

__________________

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix

A new Bilstein shock is just about imposible to compress without a ton of effort. Ie like you need to stand over it and really put your weight on it.

If you shop you can get them for $50 each.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200