rear shocks

[mzbmw325i]

i wanted to ask if there is a way i can tell if the rear shocks are dead. lately i notice when i drive over bad road patches the rear is to ruff, it rattles, also i noticed my rear tires are not wearing evenly, there is like ups/downs on the outer mid to outer edges, had them balanced not so long ago.

i looked at the shocks, it doesn't look like they are leaking, or is leakage the only way they can go out. They are yellow billies, but can't tell if they are sports or OEM. Could it be anything else, the shock mounts or something. Would the subframe bushings cause such a ride as well. any input is greatly appreciated.

i read somewhere to step on the side door frame and shak eup the car and listen for sqeaks, but don't hear anything. thanks

[celsdogg]

stand at the corner of the car and get it bouncing up and down. once you stop it should rebound once and then quickly move to its rest position. if it continues bouncing, then your dampeners are dead.

[Dudesky]

Originally Posted by mzbmw325i

also i noticed my rear tires are not wearing evenly, there is like ups/downs on the outer mid to outer edges

Sounds like cupping or feathering. If the valleys are 90 degrees to the tire tread, check for bad shocks as celsdogg mentioned above. If they're diagonal to the tread, you need an alignment.

[3050rpm]

If the wheels are behaving badly over rough, uneven surfaces, something shocks are meant to deal with, then I'd say that's an indication that they're shot, as well as problems with tire wear, although in addition to balancing you should check the rear wheel alignment (I believe that's adjustable on that model) as well as any bushings and other rubber fittings and suspension components that have probably served their useful life.

[stevo]

A general indication of worn rear shocks is rapid vibration as the rear wheel passes over potholes in the road surface, this is caused by the shocks not absorbing the "bounce" and results in the wheel bouncing rapidly against the road surface and yes it would cause uneven tyre wear but as stated above it could also be bushes or subframe mountings.

[elsabor67]

If your shocks are letting your car take a solid hit when you hit bumps on the road, they are shot. Just like Cels and the others said, check the travel of the shock by bouncing the car. Also, if it feels like it doesn't rebound back, get some new ones.

I don't think that your subframe bushings are causing you uneven tire wear, unless they are sooooooo worn out that the crossmember that holds the diff is dancing under your car(you would be able to tell because you would hear a knocking noise when you go over almost anything).

I don't think (by what's been told to me) that you can do a rear wheel alignment on an E30. Time to look at the bentley's and ask around. Will let you know later.

[mzbmw325i]

i appreicate all your suggestions, last night i did press on the rear couple of times and did not feel the rear even went back up, maybe i am not doing it right but that was my observation, it just felt like did not go up once on it's so called proper seating.

if i take one out and how do i test if its bad, just by pressing it in right.

I was told rear alignment is not possible on my model car, but i will have to verify that, maybe i will just ask the dealer see what BS they say.

thanks again.

[Dudesky]

My bad, no alignment on e30's. But there may be something worn if the feathering is diagonal. Blown shocks will usually leak oil, have you checked for that?

[stevo]

if you remove one of the shocks from the car , 1st check for the obvious, oil leakage, then push the piston all the way into the body of the shock if it goes all the way in with little or no resistance and stays in it is shot. A good shock should have firm resistance as you push it in and it should slowly rebound when you release pressure.

[CroCop>]

yeah, ive had that the same problem. my tires were wearing unevenly for a time. ive always thouht it was bc idnt do allignment, then I noticed that my rear right side of the car had droped by like half an inch. the rear right and left were uneven, my dad took a glance at the car and told me the shocks were shot. he took them out, at the rear, and the rear right was completly gone, it just sunck when u pushed it in, dont wait to get the shocks changed theyll just keep droping replace em.
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[mzbmw325i]

i was planning of dropping the car with H&R springs but other things are in my path and need to take care of them first.

would any cheaper brands suffice the rear, i mean pep boys has the monroe sensa-trac (their so-called premium shock( for 40 each, that is 2 for 1 Bilstein OEM. they have another lower class rear for 20$. i know you pay what u get for. any input

any one use other names besides Bilstein or Koni.

[nick_318is]

Originally Posted by mzbmw325i

Bilstein or Koni.

The only way to go, especially if your going to lower it. Lowering without going to a different shock may cause your struts to die early.

[celsdogg]

^^^ +1

i would stick with these two brands, bilstein especially. often times they can be had for a pretty good price, especially for rear shocks.

if you do get those shocks from pep boys, you will most likely get what you pay for. just my humble opinion.

[mzbmw325i]

i know bilstein and koni are the shocks for sport suspension. i was refereing to the cheap brands as OEM replacement until i can have the funds for the sport drop.

I was thinking of getting the monroe sensa trac premium at 40 a piece or the gabriele brand for 20 a piece as a temporoary fix at least.


thanks for all the input, greatly appreciated!

[Dudesky]

Just don't mix gas and hydraulic shocks- bad combination. You'll get weird handling characteristics.