Shock bounce test

[kevinswan007]

I have been doing alot of reading about the possible solutions to my 'vibration' issues I have been having with my 2nd hand Ford Focus.

Obviously Ford says everything is fine, even though they didnt even take it for a ride!! (btw, FORD service is the worst I ever seen, even though their product is not bad at all)

My question and observation is that, the standard 'bounce test' or the machine they use during the bounce test is obsolete. It doesnt work, unless the shocks are REALLY stuffed.
But it doesnt pick up any other problems the shocks can encounter.

The vibration issues I had was really frustrating, from 90km/h to 120km/h the rear of the car would 'bounce' or 'vibrate' and was slightly uncomfortable.
I spoke to Ford, they said rear suspension is fine, so I though, ok, Its probably the mags or tires un-balanced or warped etc.

R7500 later, new 17" mags and tires, the problem is still there!!!
After fighting with ford, they eventually replace the rear shocks, and the problem goes away.

You can imagine how upset I am!

 

[iDOL]

I was gonna say your shocks - but see that they came to the right conclusion eventually.

I had the similar problem with a BMW a while back. It used to start from 85-100 km/h the left rear wheel area. I changed so many things on the vehicle , that I was also at a loss (out fo pocket as well) only to find a mere shock change resolved the issues - needless to say I was mad.

 

[kevinswan007]

I was gonna say your shocks - but see that they came to the right conclusion eventually.

I had the similar problem with a BMW a while back. It used to start from 85-100 km/h the left rear wheel area. I changed so many things on the vehicle , that I was also at a loss (out fo pocket as well) only to find a mere shock change resolved the issues - needless to say I was mad.

The problem is, if you leave it too long (8000 km for me) the tires form flat spots, so even if you do change the shocks, you will still feel the vibration and will need to buy new tires as well to properly fix it.

 

[Obelix]

I have been doing alot of reading about the possible solutions to my 'vibration' issues I have been having with my 2nd hand Ford Focus.

You do know that ford Badge started out round? but, form all the bonnets getting slammed on it, the badge eventually turned oval ;-)

Obviously Ford says everything is fine, even though they didnt even take it for a ride!! (btw, FORD service is the worst I ever seen, even though their product is not bad at all)

You will have at least one person that can say the same for every other motor dealership in the country...

 

[Claymore]

Best way of checking shocks is to find a shock place that uses a vibration machine that plots the shock bounces on graph paper, and you can see where it exceeds acceptable parameters.

 

[kevinswan007]

Best way of checking shocks is to find a shock place that uses a vibration machine that plots the shock bounces on graph paper, and you can see where it exceeds acceptable parameters.

do you know of any in CT that have those machines?

 

[Claymore]

do you know of any in CT that have those machines?

No idea, I'm afraid...

 

[kevinswan007]

Found a place on Vootrekker Road. Autospeed.

My front shocks failed on the machine horribly.
Then they tested my rear suspension, where the shocks have been replaced 3 months ago, they too failed!? Dont know how reliable that machine is.

If only my rear passed, then I would have something to prove, but I cant go to Ford saying front and rear failed, they will be skeptical.