Strut, checking while removed
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Faulty struts are noticeable when driving due to loud rumbling noises - a result of wheel hopping - especially on poor stretches of road. Moreover, they can be recognized by a large loss of oil.
NOTE:
- Struts are maintenance-free, shock absorber oil cannot be topped off.
A removed strut can be checked by hand as follows:
- Press strut together by hand.
- Piston rods must move smoothly and with uniform difficulty over the entire range
- Release piston rods.
- On struts with sufficient gas pressure, piston rods return to initial position by themselves.
NOTE:
- If this is not the case, strut must be replaced. As long as there is no large loss of oil, the mode of operation corresponds to that of a conventional strut.
- The damping function is also completely available without gas pressure, as long as there is no large loss of oil. However, noise may increase.