Just out of curiosity I'm wondering as to how long the shocks can go for before they are changed. My dad said that when he goes over bumps he hears some type of gas coming from the front wheel well. I just figured that it was a shock that's not performing well. I believe that they are still original so that would make them 12 years old and 125,000 miles. Any ideas ?

Thank You

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Audi TT

I suppose that the way one should know that the shocks need replacing is when they start causing the tires to wear in a cupping pattern, or when they are obviously leaking.

My 1990 300D is a similar car to your 92, and I noticed this after a round trip Miami-Atlanta-Miami at about 120,000. The bilstein shocks are a lot more hardy than those that come on Detroit iron, but at 125K you might find it useful to change them now, in the sense that it will give you a more solid ride. The front ones are probably the most crucial, because of the steering gear being in the front, which probably causes more wear and tear.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Hissing usually means that the gas has leaked into the oil and is making noise.

Eventually the ride quality will start to suffer, and it will need replacement, but mine have 200,000 on them and work well, so I'd only replace it if the car starts to bounce or the wheel tramps.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I just replaced the shocks on my 300D 2.5 at 130,000 miles - the change was noticeable but not really dramatic.

In hindsight I would not have changed them yet but the car did seem a bit floaty at high speeds.