The test must not be carried out after driving in the rain or through a vehicle wash as the shock absorber must be dry when it is tested.
1 | Perform visual inspection. |
It is possible for a shock absorber to appear to be leaking when it is actually intact. |
Shock absorber is OK (oil mist (arrow) on reservoir tube (1)) |
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The shock absorber is OK if there is no grease or oil present under the guard tube (2).
Leakage is present:
Large areas on the surface of the reservoir tube (1) are covered with oil.
A finger is moistened by oil when the reservoir tube (1) is dabbed.
Oil droplets or a shiny film of oil and dirt form on the reservoir tube (1) after the finger test.
When the shock absorber is extended, the oil film is also found to be present at the upper end of the reservoir tube (1). If the upper end is dry, the oil is not coming from the shock absorber, and may be leaking from the engine, transmission or rear axle.
Shock absorber is OK (shock absorber pulled apart, reservoir tube (1) dry in upper area (arrow)) |
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Shock absorber is not OK (shock absorber pulled apart, large areas on surface of reservoir tube (1) covered with a shiny oil film) |
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Shock absorber is not OK (oil drop formation on reservoir tube (1) after finger test (arrow)) |
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