This page repeats the removed-shock-absorber check in an accident-evaluation context: rumbling from wheel hopping plus heavy fluid leakage indicates genuine failure.
| Defective shock absorbers can be identified by loud rumbling
noises when driving, caused by wheel hopping, especially on bad
roads. Heavy fluid leakage is an additional visual indication. |
 Note
| Shock absorbers are maintenance-free; shock absorber fluid
cannot be topped up. |
| After removal, a shock absorber can be checked by hand as
follows: |
| – |
Compress shock absorber by hand. |
| The piston rod should move smoothly over the entire stroke
with uniform resistance and without jolts. |
| If the shock absorber has sufficient gas pressure the piston
rod will return by itself to its original position. |
Note
| If this is not the case, the shock absorber does not
necessarily need to be renewed. Provided there has been no major
loss of fluid, it will still be as effective as a conventional
shock absorber. |
| Even without gas pressure, the shock absorber will provide
full damping effect as long as there has been no major loss of
fluid. However, it may produce more noise. |
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Questions & answers
Checking shock absorbers when removed — Volkswagen Golf Mk7
How do I bench-check a removed Golf Mk7 rear shock absorber?
Same procedure as front: smooth, consistent resistance in both directions. DCC dampers cannot be bench-tested for electronic function — use diagnostics.
Shock absorbers are often replaced because of noises
(rumbling, etc.) experienced by the customer. Inspections on the
test rig and in the vehicle have shown that in a ...
To achieve the desired results when performing repairs on
the steering rack it is important to work with the greatest
possible care and cleanliness, and to use proper ...
