Testing shocks

[vrinner]

Is there an easy accurate (ok...semi-accurate) way to test your shocks while still on the car?

After doing an allignment on my 86, the top of the shock ended up hitting the hood and it bent the adjuster. I saw a very very small amount of fluid come out. I cut a bit of the rib in the hood away (this is strickly a on track car) so that it would no longer make contact and I have not seen any additional oil come out. The car seems to handle OK.

Thanks!

[svobud]

personally - my opinion...fluid leak = bad/replace

I would suggest emailing koni and get a professional answer on the subject. cars@koni.nl

[SVOPaul]

If you had oil coming out then the strut/shock is done...period. It may still hold a charge for now but it's not long for this world. We have an '84 SVO at the shop now that started leaking at the top when the car came off the lift(nothing touched it) and it is losing pressure....it's toast. Especially if you bent the adjuster, it would most likely affect the shock negatively.

[vrinner]

Looks like I'll be spending some cash soon. So what are your general thoughts on going with a full on coil over setup?

[svobud]

Originally posted by vrinner
Looks like I'll be spending some cash soon. So what are your general thoughts on going with a full on coil over setup?

I'd love a set on my SVO....so go ahead and get me a full set up while you're on the phone with the credit card out.

But seriously....I'd much prefer that set up to what's stock. A friend has it on his V8 coupe. Very cool and Very tunable. Of course, he also did the tubular K frame and control arms along with it...which might be necessary with the differences in stock SVO suspension and it's compatibility with other parts. It's been in the back of my mind, as far as a future mod on the 9L goes, for some time now.