13 replies to this topic

[JCmini]

I was adjusting my rear drums today and noticed that with the back wheels jacked up so the wheels are off the ground I was able to physically push my rear right wheel back up towards the arch with my hand. 

I tried on the left and it was solid. 

 

Does this mean my right shocks are knackered?

[nicklouse]

yes. replace in pairs.

[CityEPete]

Although Nick is far more knowledgeable on these matters I actually disagree, the shocks should be able to be compressed by hand, that's how you fit them!

At full extension the shock should keep the knuckle joint, trumpet and rubber cone in place by running out of travel, if you can move the wheel up from there then the cone is squashed or knuckle has collapsed, or the shock is extending too far for the setup,Ideally it would still be under a little bit of compression at full stretch to stop the knuckle popping out if you go over a jump :-D

How much can you move it up and down by?

[minidaves]

sounds more like your radius arm is knackered. the are moveable they should not be rock solid

[Spider]

I think the cone is likely had it rather than the shock. You can sometime move the wheel maybe an inch or so if the cones are well settled or the car has been lowered and running standard length rear shocks.

[CityEPete]

I think the cone is likely had it rather than the shock. You can sometime move the wheel maybe an inch or so if the cones are well settled or the car has been lowered and running standard length rear shocks.

Yep, that is exactly how mine were until I changed them a couple of weeks ago.

[JCmini]

UPDATE.

 

Well I needed to replace my subframe so had to take the shock out anyway. 

 

I compressed the shocks by hand and they stayed compressed and did not extend.This was for both of them. So i'm guessing there both knackered.

 

Had a look at the cones and radius arms. Seems alright but not sure. 

 

 

 

[Homersimpson]

UPDATE.

 

Well I needed to replace my subframe so had to take the shock out anyway. 

 

I compressed the shocks by hand and they stayed compressed and did not extend.This was for both of them. So i'm guessing there both knackered.

 

Had a look at the cones and radius arms. Seems alright but not sure. 

 

 

 

No this is normal.  All the shocks do is damp the force from the bump in the road, the spring (or in this case rubber donut) is the bit that compresses and then returns to its original state.

 

I think some gas shock absorbers may have a slight re-extending effect but it has no effect when fitted to the car.

[timmy850]

Yes, it depends on the type of shocks fitted to your car. The standard ones aren't gas charged and won't extend by themselves. They still provide the dampening to the car 

[JCmini]

Hmmm. Guess I don't need new ones then. Cheers

[ings]

This is normal but a new pair of upgraded dampers would be nod a bad idea... I had 5 Minis and the first thing was always new cones and new dampers.

Makes much more fun in the corners.

Gas a just are awesome.

[Spider]

 

I compressed the shocks by hand and they stayed compressed and did not extend.This was for both of them. So i'm guessing there both knackered.

 

If they are not Gas, on the contrary, that's exactly what you want them to do. If they just 'decompressed' on their own (in a short space of time), then they are knackered.

[JCmini]

Thanks. I had a go at pushing them down by hand. One has some resistance and the other not much. 

 

Any way here is  a picture of them. 

 

As for the cones. They seem alright. Not compressed at all. 

Edited by JCmini, 19 April 2018 - 12:35 PM.

[CityEPete]

The cones don't look bad to me, the shocks look tired so I'd swap them, I've just fitted the set off ebay,all four Boge original spec ones £62 inc postage.