ksCivic

Hi,

I've got a 95 civic with 190k+ on it. It still has the original shocks and struts. I've heard that the way to test shocks is to bounce the bumper and if it quits bouncing quickly their fine. But.... I still wonder whether I should replace them. At highway speed there is body roll if I change lanes quickly, but I don't remember if this is any more than when I got it. Do shocks/struts affect this?

I've had it since 55k, and my miles have been 99% highway (good road). I'm not looking for track level performance, but the car has been excellent, and I try to do all the preventive maintainence I can. If I thought it would improve ride and handling, I'd put shocks on it...

Thanks,
Joe

tominos

if your car drives down the road and bounces constantly, then you need replacement. but if they feel fine, then they're fine

i think a rough way to test if a shock is blown is to push down on one corner of the car, and if it settles after about one bounce, then it's fine. if it keeps on bouncing, two or more times, the shock is bad, also the car should return to the same position(height wise) as before the bounce. if not, chuck em.

but if they feel fine, then i wouldn't worry about em.

edit: and check to see that the shock is not leaking fluid.

d15nonvtec

yep, if they aint leakin, your golden