Question about Gr-2 shocks

[talontsi97]

I am putting new springs on my car and i was looking at my Gr-2 shocks and have a question. Should i be able to compress them easily by hand? I can compress the shocks all the way as far as they can go by hand. Is this normal for these or are they bad. Im not sure how old they are but they look pretty new. I dont think these are supposed to be liek this but i wanted to make sure while the car is apart.
Thanks in advance

 

[mach1one]

If they compress easily, then no. After a bump, your car should rebound back within one bounce. Anymore and they're probably worn.

 

[jtmcinder]

Maybe I'm just a stud, but I have no problem compressing brand new GR-2s by hand. I can also compress my Konis by hand, but it takes longer.

- Jtoby

 

[DG-FNR]

The quick and dirty shock function test is to place the end of the shock rod against something solid and compress it slowly. You should feel a certain amount of resistance. Then compress it as fast as you can; you should feel more resistance.

In both cases, the shock shaft should self-extend once finished, there should be no change in the rate at which it self-extends, and there should be no noticable change in resistance when compressed at the same speed.

A shock that does not self-extend is probably depressurized, and that's bad http://www.accuratetechnologies.com/performance/Default.aspx?tabid=139

A shock that compresses without resistance and then suddenly starts working is probably low on oil -if it doesn't resist at all, it's probably empty - and is also probably aerated too.

If the resistance changes dramatically during the stroke, someting is probably bent or otherwise wonky.

The quick and nasty test for similar shock forces on a pair of shocks is to compress them both, and then release the shafts at the same time. They should self-extend to full extension at the same time. Any difference indicates possible wonkiness (either in the valving or in the amount of gas pressure)

To really be sure, you use the shock dyno - but these rules of thumb work OK.

DG

 

[jtmcinder]

In both cases, the shock shaft should self-extend once finished, there should be no change in the rate at which it self-extends...

Maybe for the GR-2s, but a Koni is a low-pressure twin-tube so it does slow down as it extends.

- Jtoby

 

[DG-FNR]

The brand new 2G DSM Koni rear I just pulled off the shelf and tested self-extended at a constant speed.

Observation trumps speculation.

DG

 

[jtmcinder]

Observation trumps speculation.

Dennis -

In order to prevent useless arguments, please be more precise. What you meant to say was that your observation trumps mine, since we both know I have Konis in my garage, too.

- Jtoby