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.

[@BillOfAllTrades2016]

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.

[@jamesy6522]

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.

[@0j00n]

yee I bought koni yellows couple months ago thought they were bad because they didnt retract but found out thats normal and its a low pressure gas twin tube.

[@ChavezDIY]

Gas shocks still function primarily through the hydraulic valves inside. The gas is used to prevent foaming of the oil and thus potential loss of control.

[@roachmotel69]

@Sam S did you mean to say that air is a non-compressible? Just to clarify; the air around us (what we breathe) is most definitely compressible. Everything else you said is mostly spot on.

[@jrm163]

Can’t agree more! Some people just don’t know how things work, and are “cheated” by those gas-charged shocks.

[@jrm163]

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.

[@keshmo12]

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!

[@trevorbyron9448]

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

[@freetoride003]

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

[@echonomix_]

Can you tell us what the difference between the damper for a strut and the damper for a shock is? Hint: there isn't one.

[@kimbcooper2528]

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

[@johnervin1474]

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

[@motogp2375]

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!!

[@Btothewill]

I’m sure you’ve replaced them already, but if not, you should. Driving symptoms are the tell tell signs as you mentioned. Parts like these should always be replaced when you get symptoms, I’m my opinion. Hope all is well

[@SuperDevilb]

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

[@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.

[@strahinjicban4682]

what about hissing sound (air sound) when im going over speed bumps...is that normal...because i have it on new left one front shock absorber...on the right one i didnt heard it...and second thing, is it necessery to push down few times with hands new shock before installing it on car? why is that recommended ?

[@TheAwkwardBanana]

It is likely failing, yes. No you do not need to compress the new shock unless it is a tight fit. I was just demonstrating the difference for educational purposes.

[@rubenenergypoprider2048]

Good job buddy

[@atp1579]

Thanks brother

[@joaquinsepulveda8709]

Thanks Man 😊😊

[@pierreguillotte5013]

So how long you think till he realizes he's holding a shock

[@TheAwkwardBanana]

Wait what's a shock?

[@marteneqdt]

Thank you,

[@deanslegos1990]

Thanks

[@stephenauty2402]

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

[@arnoldpatriciovlogs8505]

Nice video

[@martinwhitley9893]

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

[@804MRMAN]

Most likely, it was only oil filled. Oil filled doesn't return, it's used as the just a damper for the spring, only the spring to do the rebounding

[@cityguidepakistan1184]

Good job

[@JacobEcret]

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

[@JacobEcret]

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

[@Zack-dk3pt]

i watched all of the fluid escape from the shock does that mean its blown? lol.

[@TheAwkwardBanana]

Lol, most definitely. Easy way to diagnose it though!

[@patrickmontie9583]

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.

[@echonomix_]

Yeah man, swerving and braking on bad dampers is definitely the only way to tell if they're bad. I can tell you really know what you're talking about. I can also tell you didn't watch the video. His failed damper is clear as day.

[@patrickmontie9583]

@@echonomix_ I didn't make comments about him or his car. It didn't mean I didn't watch his video. What I stated was factually correct. I'm a retired master mechanic and highly trained in drive ability, suspension, alignment and other aspects of vehicle performance.

[@Jimmy_Wei]

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

[@David.lovesU]

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

[@jacob.mp4]

No need to yell, and it's technically called a shock absorber if we're gonna be nitpicky assholes :)

[@letsfly7562]

Shock not strut.

[@aquilskeete9794]

You mean shock and not strut..but good vid

[@charliesmith5545]

To me that's ass backwards. If the shock comes flying back up it isn't controlling the rebound of the spring

[@Yanudibraim7111]

So, shocks that expand slowly are better than the ones that expand faster?

[@cle569]

where is the sturts??

[@nathankelly8665]

That's a shock not a strut. Also its a twin tube shock and is not designed to work parallel to the ground.

[@echonomix_]

Go away, no one is impressed

[@das280zx]

Those are shocks not struts but same diff

[@davetruther31]

This only works for gas shocks, not oil filled ones..

[@shark.attack]

1. They are shocks 2. They expand slowly to keep you from bouncing all over the place on your springs.

[@deasttn]

1. yes, but we all know what he means 2. you mean like what he said at the 1:10 mark?

[@Yanudibraim7111]

So, shocks that expand slowly are better than the ones that expand faster?

[@804MRMAN]

@@Yanudibraim7111 Depends on the spring rate used

[@Mike-we3rb]

Yo wtf the brand new shocks I bought for my car don’t compress that hard. They open nicely tho. You can hear the hydraulic fluid as you press it if that’s normal. Also one of them was dented and they said they’re taking 17% off my refund price. F off strut company

[@zeromaster21_official]

asmr shocks

[@hunterverril417]

do you go to a tech school

[@philbrookman3126]

good vid easy to see difference

[@darrinrentruc6614]

Not a strut, It is called a shock. And take off the rubber gloves already GEEEEEEZZZZ

[@TheAwkwardBanana]

I drank the hydraulic fluid off-camera.

[@darrinrentruc6614]

@@TheAwkwardBanana Did you use a baby bottle with a rubber nipple? Because you have to be safe when drinking that stuff

[@tedcleveland8488]

My gawd, anyone annoying by the sec old shock test? Like dude, just stop talking just pressing that damn thing down. Jesus

[@randomrandom5740]

Not a strut. Also those fake supras lol

[@TheAwkwardBanana]

Jokes on you, that's a Scion xB, not even close to a Supra.

[@randomrandom5740]

uhhhh

[@804MRMAN]

@@TheAwkwardBanana I know this old. But I think the Supra he was speaking of are the shoes lol

[@goodolecountryboy7550]

Why you so afraid of getting your hands dirty smh

[@ericmadx3063]

I guess u dont need to be a certified tech to do reviews , if a millenial can do so can my grandma

[@LongBeach-hp8gd]

Thanks