What is the life expectancy of shock absorbers?

My cars feels wobbly, its in tomorrow having the fuel gauge looked at, and might get them to look at these too

44,000 miles and 4 years old, is that normal, or early as I wonder if this would be covered by extended warranty as a early failure

I don't think it's a big job to replace, if you have the tools, which I don't, so can see labour costing much on top of parts Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

How do you test them? Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I think you test them by bouncing the car. Ie push down on the car around the wheels. If the car bounces up and down a few times then the shocker is worn. If you press down on the car and it just comes up and doesn't bounce then the shocker is ok. That is how it was explained to me when as a lad studying engineering at college, part of the course was motor vehicle engineering. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

I can understand that, and that's what I thought myself

But a FL2 has beefier suspension than say a Vauxhall Corsa, woudi be still the same, I just have too push a big harder Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Yeah maybe push harder, It was explained at the time (this was 20 years ago!) this is what an MOT tester does. I'll try mine tomorrow and see if it works, sorry I can't be more help. Black MY2013 SD4 GS Auto, Wood Company Armrest, Freel2 sticker.
Gone MY2010 Freelander 2 Manual TD4.e S, Alaska White.

shocks are just dampers to stop spring rebounding , this gives more of a smooth ride, shocks like all suspension componenta do not like loads more than normal ie heavy trailers caravans etc etc

vanning the holiday that keps costing you money long after you get home  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Sorry for CG comment it appears the records stuck on repeat  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

He never gives up!

Must be a bit frustrating after having his comments for 5 years!

Used to it now, that's why I apologised to others  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Some people never change.

Stevie5tapes wrote:

Yeah maybe push harder, It was explained at the time (this was 20 years ago!) this is what an MOT tester does. I'll try mine tomorrow and see if it works, sorry I can't be more help.

Just today, driving down the motorway, and it might have been the full load( not towing) but I felt my head bobbing side to side, might have been the road, or just me Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Were you anywhere near Liverpool? Never tell me the odds.

No not today, wetherby area Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Shocks under normal wear and tear even towing a van should last 60k plus miles. However if you were to tow heavy trailers, or drive off road at speed then shockers could fail at any time.


Both hands over the front shocker point, a good couple of pushes and see how long for it to settle, could it be your tyres or low on pressure, or bushes worn? More likely than than worn shocks.


Given that the freelander can have a nose weight of up to 250kgs ( if gross weight is reduced by 100kg) I suspect that the rear shocks will be fine. My11 freelander 2, xs, Manual, 18" hse sparkles, sidesteps, privacy, zermatt silver metallic, almond nutmeg alacantra, twin electric towbar

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