Ways to diagnose a bad front shock absorber.
 

Dear friends:

What are the best ways to diagnose whether a front shock absorber is going down the tube?

1) Cracking sound from the front (what kind of sound?)

2) Pressing down and releasing the front fenders

3) Any better way?

I don't have any experience working on suspension stuff.

Thanks a lot.

Best regards,

Eric

The deCarbon type shocks (single tube high pressure gas) used on most Mercs are very long lived. Unlike twin-tube non-pressurized shocks that typically slowly loose their damping characteristics over their life, deCarbon's typically maintain their damping characteristics until end of life, then completely fail. This is often indicated by a major loss of oil from the shock.

The best way to test shocks is to find a stretch of wavy road and traverse it at normal speed. If the body motions are reasonably well controlled, the shocks are probably okay. If it wallows around, the shocks could be bad.

Duke

If you have less than 150,000 miles on the car the shock could not be worn out, unless you know its been damaged. MB parts really seldom fail. Remember, these cars require almost no maintenace.

Hi Peter,

"Remember, these cars require almost no maintenace."

I don't think that is true. There is no maintenace on shocks, but there is plenty of other items that needs regular maintenance if you want the car not to break down.

Regards

Reinhard Kreutzer

That may be. A lot of folks on this forum have ungodly problems with their cars. All I know I've driven my C280 (6 years old) 180,000 miles and never ever did anything but chage the oil/filter every 5000 miles with Castrol Syntec 5/50. Car runs like a dream, never had the first problem. All I know is to never take it to a dealer since they do spotty work at best. What say you?

Hi Peter,

you are one lucky guy, but it will run out ...
regards

Reinhard Kreutzer