Quick Test
4700 mm 32.01.003
Shock absorbers function at temperatures ranging from air temperature to 350°F (177°C). A shock's function is to slow the bounce of the vehicle's springs. It does this by transforming the energy produced by the spring to heat and dissipating it. As a result the shock should be slightly warm to hot to the touch after normal use.
If ride deterioration is experienced and there is a suspicion that a shock has failed internally, which is visually undetectable, perform the following checks within a few minutes of operating the vehicle.
- Drive the vehicle at moderate speeds for at least 15 minutes.
- Within a few minutes of driving, touch each shock absorber carefully on its body below the dust cover or tube. First touch a part close to the shock absorber (spring, frame) to establish a reference temperature of metal.
- All shock absorbers should be warmer than any part near
the shock absorber (spring, frame). Suspect a failure in any shock
absorber that is noticeably cooler than the shock absorber on the
other end of the axle. Different temperatures from axle to axle do
not indicate failures, but cooler temperatures on any one axle does
warrant removal and examination of the cooler shock absorber. See Fig..
Fig. 1, Temperature Touch Test
- To inspect for an internal failure, remove and shake the suspected shock. Listen for the sound of metal rattling inside. Rattling of metal parts can indicate that the shock has an internal failure.
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