How do you know if shock absorbers are gone (Merc)?

[Porkupine]

Hi guys
I think my Merc shock absorber may be gone on left rear as hear a noise every time I go over a bump which has worsened over last couple of months. It's a dull noise not a shar knock. Local indie had it on ramp couldn't find anything at all. Saying could be shock absorber and would need to change both rear. But said he cannot guarantee this is the problem as you cannot examine them on the ramp as of they are damaged they will be so internally.
Sound about right? Or anything else I should check before changing as they are not cheap!?
Also does anyone know what brand Merc uses? Euros are selling Sachs which I was thinking of going for.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[surveyor]

Spring...

[scotty_d]

Push down on the that side of the car if the shock is working the car should settle right away if not it will bounce around a little before settling.

[Porkupine]

surveyor said:

Spring...

Care to expand?

Thanks Scotty. Will try that.

[Codswallop]

A broken spring (quite a common problem on most cars at some point or another) can cause suspension realted noises, and depending on how much of the coil has broken/ where it has broken, it can be difficult to spot without looking more closely.

[Porkupine]

So you suggest may not be the shock absorbers?

[lgw]

Which Merc is it ? the W211 E class 2002 on is well known for breaking springs

[LuS1fer]

Spings can break the ends off so look normal. Chances are it is a spring if it's a noise. Shocks go and p*ss oil everywhere and it's fairly obvious.

[CurvaParabolica]

Other thing it could be is the rear anti-roll bar bushes; I went through every other possible fault before settling on changing the bushes; 10 min job later and no more dull knocking when driving over uneven surfaces. The main killer beforehand was that you couldn't tell if the bush was knackered just by looking at it; even when it came off it looked largely fine, but that was the source of the problem for me.

[Porkupine]

Definitely haven't seen oil anywhere.
So from the advice about best bet is o get someone to examine the springs more thoroughly and possibly replace bushes out of caution? Was hoping this isn't going to end in trial and error looks like it may do now!

[LuS1fer]

Porkupine said:

Definitely haven't seen oil anywhere.
So from the advice about best bet is o get someone to examine the springs more thoroughly and possibly replace bushes out of caution? Was hoping this isn't going to end in trial and error looks like it may do now!

Borrow some spring clamps and compress them - it will be obvious if they are damaged without taking them off.