shock absorber test

[b52rule]

1995 E300D with 150,000 on it

I have checked the threads using search however not much s there. Other that the standard push up and down on the bumper method is there a better way to test the shocks? I'm thinking of going with Blisteins HD fore and aft and a sport sway bar, but not until the shocks and struts need replacing. Replacing them does not seem all that difficult. Any suggestions and thoughts will be a great help!

Thanks!

B52rule, junior member, 1 each

[manny]

If you have 150 k miles on the originals, replacing them would not be a waste of time or money.
Another crude test you can do is pull into your garage slowly & hammer the brakes on. You should only notice one dip & rebound.
In my experience, the only real test for shocks or struts, is to pull them off & try them.

[Duke2.6]

The best way to check shocks is to find a stretch of bumpy or wavy road. If you can traverse it at your normal speed without excessive body bounce or wallow the shocks are okay. Some new cars won't pass this test, but I don't own a Buick.

One thing to understand about the high pressure "de Carbon" type shocks that are OEM on Mercs is that they maintain the original damping characteristics until end of life, which is usually indicated by virtually no damping at all and leaking oil. Conventionial twin tube hydraulic shocks slowly deteriorate over their life. It's not unusual to see de Carbon shocks last over 150K miles and when they go, it's usually pretty obvious - either by all the oil or uncontrolled body rebound on the corner with the dead shock.

Duke