Leaky Shocks and Lowering Springs

Hi Everyone,

I have a 1995 C280 with almost 74,000 miles on it. A friend looked at the shocks up front and the rear and they all have oil leaking from the tops near the towers. This dark greasy substance has leaked out and dripped down the shock tubes. Does this mean the shocks are gone? A mechanic looked at the car and said the shocks are really fine, becaue he did the "push-down" test - he pushed down on the car and said it comes right back up which means the shocks are okay. Exactle, what is going on here? On another noe, I was thinking of getting lowering springs like Eibach or H&R, but I've heard Eibach are better. Will the old factory shocks suffice with the newer spings. I am also doing a plus 1 rim upgrade which I hope improves the handling. Sorry about the length, but I would appreciate any help on this matter. Thanks

[Michael]

Shocks really should not weep at all, no leaks. Your shocks are dying, my friend, and they don't ever get better. So plan on replacing them and that should narrow your shock & spring choices.



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Best regards, Michael
'92 500E
'88 300TE

[jeffsr]

Troy, if the car comes back up after the tech pushed it down, that indicates that the springs are working. A rough test of the struts and shocks is to bounce any corner of the car and see how quickly the struts/shocks damp out the bouncing motion. Generally speaking, the bounce should stop after no more than 1 1/2 rebounds. If it goes past that, then the struts/shocks are worn and will only get worse, so go with what Michael said. Replace them. It never gets better. As far as springs go, it's a crap shoot for me. Since I don't believe in mucking with the factory suspension much, I can't offer any real opinion about lowering the car.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 05-06-2000).]