Priming shock absorbers

It used to be necessary if shocks were stored/transported in a non- vertical alignment, but I've seen no reference to it recently. I believe it was done in order to get the fluid back to the reservoir part.

Try it by all means, but I'm not sure it will solve your present problem; I'd imagine that the fluid would have drained back to where it should be by now.

Chris

Thanks for the reply. It's a BMW 325i and it failed the MOT on broken rear springs. I thought I might as well change the shocks at the same time as I occasionally carry a rear passenger with a back problem. I don't know how much shocks deteriorate over time but thought it can't do any harm. It did. :-) I'll get back under there and see what else I can find.

Presumably by being used on the car they have already extended and contracted a few times (in the orientation they will be when on the car)?

Good point. :-) The only difference is, not to their full range. Having spoken to a friend, he said he'd never done the priming thing. I'm wondering if I've just got a pair of faulty new shocks or or damaged something when the suspension went to full extension.

Where did the shocks come from?

Chris

German, Swedish and French. There were two available and on the spur of the moment I chose the more expensive on the off chance that they might be better.

Because I carry an 86 year old Mum with a back problem I had considered adjustable shocks but a google didn't show up anything that wasn't very expensive. I suppose coil springs are a consideration as well on that front..

Was the issue resolved after you "reprimed" the suspension? I Just put on new front struts and also forgot to prime. I'm also getting a rapid series of clunks and obviously am wondering if it's because I didn't prime. How did you manage to fix?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!