Shock absorbers wear from age or mileage?

anewman

Just bought some Boge hydraulic oil twin tube shock absorbers off ebay and noticed the date of manufacture is 12 years ago :eek: (they were described as new old stock but didn't imagine they'd be quite that old).

The damping action seems to have been restored by moving the piston up and down, and I assume the damping action is as it should be, although these are fronts and it seems to damp a little less than the rears I have worked with..

Just wondering if they wear from age or more from mileage and bumpy roads?

LandyAndy

Those of us who have been involved in the classic car scene are all too familiar with new old stock. It can be a minefield.

Might be worth asking here http://www.zf-trading.co.uk/direkt.php?link=owx_56_322547_2_6_0_b2f47fb359883e.html to see if they have any advice.

I think its got to be worth putting them on and giving them a go, after all its not a difficult job. I just wouldn't expect the same lifespan from them.

Conor_3

TBH, it's a bit of both. Rubber seals deteriorate with age as well as usage.

anewman

LandyAndy wrote: »

I think its got to be worth putting them on and giving them a go, after all its not a difficult job. I just wouldn't expect the same lifespan from them.

Sounds like the best idea. Guess it's why they cost £24 a pair delivered and not the £70+ they'd cost new not long out of the factory