How to tell if your shocks are blown

Decided to make this quick video while changing out my rear shocks. There's a few signs you can tell to see if your shocks are blown, such as a hissing while going over bumps, a rumbling, a sensation that the car is "floating" as you drive, or worst of all - bounciness in your ride due to the shock no longer being effective. Shocks are hydraulic and any fluid leaking out is also a sign of a blown shock, shocks should be dry and oil-free.

Swapping them out is a quick and easy job, relatively cheap as well.

[ChavezDIY]

Good video demonstrating the difference between a worn shock and new shock. OEM service manual for my TSX says to do that press test with it off the car. The operation should be smooth and consistent going down and up as the new one shows.

[trevorbyron]

Quite right. That's exactly how I tell the difference between good and bad shocks

[keshmo]

Wow mine are way worse than that on my f250 truck with 110k miles. They won't even expand back! I ordered some today. I replaced the shocks on my old truck and the tube was actually worn through because the sleeve thing got hit and bent. Thanks for the video!

[jamesy]

Unfortunately there is some misinformation here. The stock shock is likely hydrolic, not gas, therefore it isn't designed with a charge that "pushes" it back to fully extended. That's not an appropriate way to tell if a non-gas shock is shot.

[jrm]

It’s mainly the spring or Torson bar that’s supposed to extend/pull the shocks after they get compressed, not the gas inside (if it’s gas charged) the shocks. Some shocks are not gas charged at all. However, you just made it luckily right since yours was truly broken.

[BillOfAllTrades]

I took mine off my equinox to show how to replace them in a video. But I put the old one back on. When I had it off I squeezed it and I could compress it in my hands. It also slurped like yours but quieter. Guess it’s time to replace.

[freetoride]

These are not struts. Struts have a coil spring these are just shock absorbers. Struts are completely different

[kimbcooper]

Thanks very helpful love how you explained the difference between new and old one.

[johnervin]

Damn Monroe OEspectrum only lasted 15k and failed....replaced w kyb....

[stephenauty]

Not a strut..it's a damper or shock absorber but good explanation anyway.

[MrZdvy]

Even a brand new Monroe or Gabriel shock will make that hissing noise when you push them in and out. A new KYB shock however is silent, and much stiffer also.

[JacobEcret]

Those are not struts silly, struts have the spring and then the shock in the middle

[David.lovesU]

THAT IS NOT A STRUT!!!! YOU ARE HOLDING A REAR SHOCK

[JacobEcret]

I agree that old one is blown, but you should look up some terminology

[Jimmy_Wei]

When you hear the car shit really badly like 1:45, your shocks are blown.

[SuperDevilb]

Hi, when the shock is noisy like the black it need to be remplace ?

[motogp]

This is probably self explanatory but my XB is at 182k now and have recently changed the front struts at 177k but the mechanic that worked on my car said I didn’t need to replace the back just yet. But im curious because i feel the back end is heavy when I accelerate. But i know damn well ive been way overdue to replace it anyway. There’s no signs of leakage on the outside of the shocks during my inspection but i do feel the sag and im hearing rattling noise on small bumps or uneven road. Isnt bout time I replace the rear shocks? Would like to know your thoughts. Thanks!!

[martinwhitley]

Not as bad as the ones I’ve just taken of my car my shocks didn’t return at all

[aquilskeete]

You mean shock and not strut..but good vid

[patrickmontie]

The proper way to test shocks is on the car and road test performing 7 different procedures. Swerving, braking, acceleration and combination of both. Hissing does not prove anything most shocks potentially hiss. There are several valves that control dampening and rebounding of shocks that your body weight cant possibly recreate.