Shocks can be measured by their compressed and extended lengths and they are to be measured from the base of the stud mount. To know the extended length, take the shock out from the vehicle, pull it to its fully extended length and take a measurement. Compress it by hand to get the collapsed measurement.
How do you measure shocks on a car?
How to Measure Shocks. A shock is measured by its extended and collapsed lengths, and is measured from the center of the loop mount or the base of the stud mount. To get the extended length of a shock, remove it from the vehicle and allow it to expand on its own or pull it to the fully extended position and take a measurement.
How do I know if my golf car shocks are bad?
If the golf car feels like the front end is “nose diving”, it is likely that your shocks are bad. The same can be tested for the rear shocks by putting the golf car in reverse and stopping abruptly.
Do golf cart shocks need to be replaced?
We often get customers that schedule service appointments because they believe that their golf cart’s shocks need to be replaced. Sometimes this is the case, but often replacing the shocks are not necessary.
How do you test a golf cart?
This test can be performed by driving the golf car then turning the steering wheel so that the golf cart is tracing out an “S” pattern. This test should be conducted with caution as a passenger could accidentally fall out if the golf car speed is too high, or the strut is too worn.
How do I know what size my shocks are?
A shock is measured by its extended and collapsed lengths, and is measured from the center of the loop mount or the base of the stud mount. To get the extended length of a shock, remove it from the vehicle and allow it to expand on its own or pull it to the fully extended position and take a measurement.
How do you measure rear shock absorbers?
0:002:00How to measure your shock absorbers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCompletely up take a tape measure. And we measure from the center of the pin to the center of a pin.MoreCompletely up take a tape measure. And we measure from the center of the pin to the center of a pin. So as you can see here we're about three hundred and fifty five millimeters.
How do you measure suspension?
Raise the wheel to ~4” above ride height (measured vertically), record the exact compression. Measure and record the distance between the shock mounts. The amount the shock moved between droop and bump divided by the amount you moved the wheel is your motion ratio.
How often should you change golf cart shocks?
Some shock absorber manufacturers say you should replace them at 50,000 miles, but that's more for their benefit than yours. Having the shocks and suspension parts inspected at 40,000 or 50,000 miles, then annually after that, is a better idea.
What happens if your shocks are too long?
The other problem is that if the shock absorber that has been fitted to the vehicle is too long, in this case the vehicle suspension could experience the shock absorber “Bottoming out”. This term is used when the shock absorber is fully compressed, but the suspension still has an allowed amount of travel to go.
How do I choose shock absorbers?
0:122:48How to Choose the Right Shocks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOriginally. Design performance or do you want or need your vehicle capable of having more handling.MoreOriginally. Design performance or do you want or need your vehicle capable of having more handling. And control than the original. Design you see restore. Or more.
How much travel should a shock have?
On straight axle suspension systems, there is a 1 to 1 ratio between the movement of your shock and your wheel. That means if your wheel moves one inch, your shock extends or compresses one inch. In these applications 2.5 inches of shock travel in both directions (compression and extension) should generally be enough.
How do you measure coil over shocks?
0:353:01Measuring Shock Absorber and Coilover Length - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThese is pretty simple on an eye-to-eye shock you're simply going to measure from center bolt toMoreThese is pretty simple on an eye-to-eye shock you're simply going to measure from center bolt to Center bolt. On coil overs with a stud mount.
Are shocks universal?
Shocks aren't universal in length or fitment. Lifted trucks have longer shocks than factory height trucks. This isn't such an issue figuring out strut or shock lengths on passenger car vehicles, 99% of the time its going to be factory length parts.
How do you know when your golf cart needs new shocks?
Is your cart extra noisy when going over bumps or even when driving around gently? Chances are your suspension parts are getting old. Golf cart shocks, struts, coil-over suspension and leaf spring parts fade out over time due to use and age.
Why does my golf cart ride so rough?
Your golf cart ride can be rough because of tire problems, suspension problems or issues with the transmission. Tire Problem: Incorrect air pressure and wrongly aligned tires are two key tire-related problems that can trigger rough golf cart rides.
How do I know when my shocks need to be replaced?
The Warning Signs Of Worn Shocks And StrutsInstability at highway speeds. ... Vehicle “tips” to one side in turns. ... The front end dives more than expected during hard braking. ... Rear-end squat during acceleration. ... Tires bouncing excessively. ... Unusual tire wear. ... Leaking fluid on the exterior of shocks or struts.
Where is the ride height on a shock?
Ride height is supposed to be in the middle of the shock travel length, so we're able to see how much travel you should have in both directions at the given height. Find a part number somewhere on the shock, this isn't always feasible, but as a last resort it could help out. Shocks aren't universal in length or fitment.
Do lowered trucks have shorter shocks?
There are also lowered trucks and cars which may have shorter shocks, bottom line is that you never guess! Mount types are another important aspect of buying shocks, assuming an eyelet-to-eyelet shock will work on every application doesn't hold true.
How to measure shock absorber?
To find the correct measurement for a shock absorber, you will need to measure from the center of a loop style mount and from the closest point on the mount for a stud type shock (since the shock is measured from the base of the stud, not the tip). To get the collapsed length measurement for your vehicle, you will need to compress your suspension ...
How to get extended shock length?
To get the collapsed length of a shock, compress it by hand or by using a strap and take a measurement.
What happens if a shock doesn't fit?
A shock that does not fit correctly could have a reduced life or cause improper and dangerous handling characteristics. Often, the description of the type of upper and lower mounts on a shock are only listed by the manufacturer code for the mount. Below you will find a list of values to identify what each code means.
How to get extended suspension?
To get the extended length of your suspension, you will need to jack and secure your vehicle and allow the suspension to drop. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel is off the ground, then lower it so the tire is just on the ground. Take a measurement with the suspension at this point.
When did they start selling shocks?
Selling Shocks Since 1988. When ordering shocks for most vehicles, all you will need to do is enter your vehicle information into our shock finder and pick the best shock for your needs. Some vehicles do not have shocks built specifically for them, usually this is only the case with particularly rare vehicles or trim lines, ...
Do you need to remove shocks before measuring?
If your vehicle currently has shocks on it , you will need to remove them before measuring, as the shock could limit the suspension travel. Once you have determined the correct size for your shocks, find one that is as close as possible to your measurements using one of the guides at the bottom of this page.
Can you drive up a ramp with one side of the vehicle?
To do this, you can drive up a ramp with one side of the vehicle until the suspension is fully compressed or put a jack under one wheel to compress it *THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY A COMPETANT, EXPERIENCED MECHANIC WITH A FULL ARRAY OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
What is the motion ratio of a shock?
For example, if a shock is mounted vertically on a solid axle, the motion ratio is 1:1. If a shock is mounted at an angle, the motion ratio will change as the shock shaft goes through its range of motion.
What is Bilstein 5160 shock?
Certain shocks, such as the Bilstein 5160 , move the dividing piston to the reservoir, thereby shortening the body and increasing the amount of uptravel the shock shaft has. These shocks are a great upgrade where suspension uptravel is at a premium. Finally, if you are in doubt about how much your shock shaft is cycling, run travel indicators, ...
What is the importance of measuring ride height?
In addition to understanding collapsed length, measuring for ride height is equally as important. Knowing the length of the shock body and the amount of shock shaft compression remaining will ensure you don’t over compress the shock and bottom out on the shock body, causing permanent damage.
Do you need to change the height of a bumpstop to install a shock?
It is also important to know that as a general rule, installing longer shocks will almost always require a corresponding change to the height of the bumpstop. The reason for this is that the longer a shock’s travel is, the longer the collapsed length is.
Do shocks have limiting straps?
On some applications where lots of unsprung mass and high speeds are present together, it is important to pair shocks with limiting straps. Most shocks are not designed for the high tensile loads that may be experienced at full droop when heavy axles and high-velocity shock cycling are mixed.
