Performance Shocks - Rod Doesn't Push Back Up - Ok ?

[V8RX7]

I'm clearing out my garage and have found a set of performance shocks that were fine when placed in there - many years ago

However I've just pushed down on the rods to check they weren't seized and whilst the rears slowly return to position the fronts don't

Is this just from storage or a sign of a problem as I intended to sell them and don't have a suitable car to test them on.

[GreenV8S]

They would typically be pressurised with an internal gas reservoir as a spring to take up the volume of the rod. It sounds as if yours no longer are.

[V8RX7]

Googling suggested oil and gas mixing after being stored for years on it's side could cause it but not if it would correct itself once fitted.

Or if it actually matters when a spring is installed

[paintman]

www.carid.com/images/gabriel/info/pdf/how-to-prime...
Stand them upright & operate through full range of travel several times then see what happens.
Might make it easier to sell if doing cash on collection & hopefully you will be able to say they were working normally if selling by post.
Not that the latter is likely to make any difference to paypal/ebay

Edited by paintman on Thursday 29th November 12:39

[V8RX7]

I've done that and they do come back up but it takes around an hour

The question is - when used normally the car's springs pull them up so does it matter ?

[GreenV8S]

V8RX7 said:

when used normally the car's springs pull them up so does it matter?

Probably not, as long as they haven't lost oil..

[PhillipM]

Well, if they were supposed to be gas charged, yes, because they've got a leak.
Are you sure they were gas charged fronts and not just the rears?