Checking shock absorbers after two sets of tires are worn out

In the course of their work, shock absorbers turn into «air pump»: After two sets of tires have worn out, shock absorbers typically lose almost 50% of their original impact and therefore need to be replaced. Since such a decrease in their action occurs slowly and not so sharply, it is difficult to immediately notice the loss in their performance. Instinctively, like most drivers, you adjust to the degraded driving dynamics: in extreme situations, this can lead to nasty surprises. To prevent this from happening, you need to check your shock absorbers annually at the test bench of your car club or at TÜV or DEKRA. Rocking method, when you swing your car by the wings in order to «check» its resonant properties are clearly not enough here. In this way it is possible «expose» just a completely worn shock absorber. However, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:

• Does the steering gear shake? In this case the wheels «dance» on the ground or not properly balanced.
• Does your Mondeo resonate a lot after driving over bumps in the road?
• How does he go through turns? Does it sway over every bump in the road?
• Is tire wear even? (partially worn surfaces)?
• Are there strong oil marks on the shock body? small «oil inclusions» - a common occurrence.

TECHNICAL DICTIONARY

How a shock absorber works Your Mondeo dampens the wheels with twin-tube dampers. They consist of a working cylinder in which a working piston equipped with a valve moves up and down. The slave cylinder envelops the second cylinder, which forms «warehouse space» for hydraulic oil. Pressure Stage: The piston moves down and on its way forces the hydraulic oil through the valve into the space above the piston. The design of the valve determines the appearance of resistance (wheel damping), which the working piston must overcome. Thrust stage: an unloaded spring returns the working piston to its original position. In this case, the oil displaced above the piston flows back into the reserve chamber through the compression valve. The valve determines the resistance (wheel damping), which the working piston must overcome. From top to bottom: twin-tube shock absorber (incision). 1 - Top mount with elastic rubber support, 2 - Protective tube, 3 - Connecting rod, 4 - Connecting rod guide with seal, 5 - Working cylinder, 6 - Valve piston with spring washers, 7 - Outer tube, 8 - Compression valve with check valve and valve spring washer, 9 - Bottom mount.