Shock Absorbers, Checking on Shock Tester

Shock Absorbers, Checking on Shock Tester

Shock absorbers can be checked while installed using the shock tester (shock absorber testing device). The damping effect can be evaluated based on the dial reading or print-out.

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Boge Shock Tester or

• Sachs Shock Tester (V.A.G 1975) or

• Maha Shock Absorber Tester (VAS 1990)

• Temperature +10 to +40 °C.

• Driver in vehicle.

• The vehicle is stationary.

• Tire pressure OK

• Drive vehicle straight onto center of wheel contact plates.

• Front wheels in straight position.

• Parking not engaged, foot brake not activated.

• The ignition is switched on.

• On vehicles with Audi Magnetic Ride (AMR) - electronically controlled damping, test mode is active.

Activating Test Mode for Audi Magnetic Ride (AMR) - Electronically Controlled Damping

- Press the damping adjustment button (E387) => Service and Repair inside the center console or instrument panel for 5 seconds. The indicator lamp inside the damping adjustment button will start blinking to confirm that the test mode is working.

- To stop the test mode, either press the damping adjustment button, turn the ignition on or off or drive the vehicle at 10 km/h.

Threshold

Shock absorber condition can only be judged as follows:

• Sufficient damping effect

or

• Insufficient damping effect

• Intermediate values for reduced damping performance cannot be read out.

• A prognosis on service life is not permitted.

• Measured values that occur with the involvement of the suspension travel end stops are incorrect.

The following values apply only to the test stands named above. If the specified values are exceeded, the shock absorber action has weakened enough that a replacement is recommended.

Example:






Threshold = 70

• - a - = greater than 70: Insufficient damping effect

• - a - = less than 70: Sufficient damping effect

Threshold - a - in mm

• If the readout value is greater than the limit value - a - (table value) : Damping effect insufficient => Replace shock absorber.

• If the readout value is less than the limit value - a - (table value) : Damping effect sufficient => Shock absorber does not need to be replaced.

FWD











AWD











Audi S3, RS 3






Vehicles with Audi Magnetic Ride (AMR) - Electronically-Controlled Damping

• These values only apply when test mode is on. The indicator lamp in the dampening adjustment button blinks to indicate when test mode is active. Refer to => Service and Repair.











Audi S3 with Audi magnetic ride (AMR) - electronic damping

• These values only apply when test mode is on. The indicator lamp in the dampening adjustment button (E387) blinks to indicate when test mode is active. Refer to => Service and Repair.