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Mazda Miata (MX-5)This compact RWD model, offered with many engines options for those are who want to cruise with the top down in a base model, or hit the track in one of the high performance models, has been a popular model since its introduction.
How do you tell when a Miata MX5 needs new shocks?
Generally, shock absorbers have weakened at around 50,000 miles. That doesn't mean they are shot, just that they are weakened. If they are REALLY bad you can start bouncing the car and when you stop, it will keep on bouncing. Shock absorber is actually a misnomer. They are actually shock dampers. The tires and springs actually absorb the road shocks. The "Shocks" dampen the bouncing. They wear out gradually so you won't notice how worn they are until you replace them.
Gas, which is pressurized act differently than hydraulic dampeners once an industry standard. The only absolute way to high pressure dampeners removing them and feeling for the resistance by compressing them and watching how they return to full extended length . And then the 2 inch push and pull the shaft in to the main body. If both compression and rebound move the same the dampener is bad On a hydraulic fluid filled shock the compression and rebound is pretty much the same. However of high pressure gas struts and shock it is different. Mainly because many have internal valving in the main body tubes that slows the rate of the gas and fluid. Some think that the easy compression over rebound if an indication of a worn dampener. The old school "bounce" test.
On vehicle's with high pressure struts and shocks you really need to measure the vehicle's ride height and then push down on a corner and release it allowing the dampener to return to its current state of neutral position. If any dampener is worn out your ride height will measure differently on each front and rea axles.
Natually if there is any sign of physical damage or fluid leaking it should be replaced.
My 2016 Miata has 26900 miles and the dealer said I need new rear shocks. The bounce test looks fine but they noted that there is leakage. Seems early to be replacing them. Any input appreciated. Quote is for about $700 plus $170 for alignment.
The bounce test does not work on high pressure gas dampeners. "OLD SCHOOL" that went out more or less when production daily driver started having high pressure gas dampeners from the factory like most all Mazda from about the mid 90's or sooner.
The bushing on high mileage vehicles are generally start to deteriorate and many owners just keep on driving and stating that they don't need new dampeners.
My 2016 Miata has 26900 miles and the dealer said I need new rear shocks. The bounce test looks fine but they noted that there is leakage. Seems early to be replacing them. Any input appreciated. Quote is for about $700 plus $170 for alignment.
I recently did my rear brakes on my '16. I always check the shocks as a matter of course and didn't notice anything wrong with mine at 117K miles. The car still handles as well as it ever has.
Speaking to DIY only.... cuzzzz this is not the professional way to test dampeners but I get there are dozens owners and members that are born knowing how to service a car because they are a vehcle enthusiast have some tools and maybe did a lot of their own basic servicing at one time year (decades) ago that their daddies taught them .
And to be clear again you can't test high pressure dampeners using the bounce test unless the dampers are clearly damage or leaking fluid !
Your suspension as 2 main components the damper and the spring. Because the design is high pressure you cant fundamentally use old ways to tell if they are worn. You '"must" remove them and if you are a DIY compare either front or rears with each other by first completely compressing then together and releasing then then watch and learn....
You can then take a household bathroom scale and when the dampener is completely extended push down as fast as you can and note the lbs. registering. Then do this to the other dampener same thing note the lbs and then learn the results between the 2 dampeners.!!!!!
If there are no sign of damage on the main body ,now excessive oil on the dampener s piton rod then your dampeners by a DIY method of checking are fine. But it your are smart enough and see that comparing front or rear and there are differences between the dampeners results then unless you can find the engineering operating specifically (not likely) then a wiseman would replace both dampeners no matter the miles or age of the dampeners.
The same goes for the rear...
There is no real normal miles or life expectancy from gas dampeners, and it all has to do with how they are used if once in a while cleaned and what road and load conditions,
As far as knowing how any vehcle is handling with age is having a baseline of lateral G force applied on a known road or large pave area and then re measuring after a period of age or miles to see the changes. Most humans that are not performance road track drivers unless the suspension is badly worn cane feel small changes in the "G" forces.
One inexpensive gauge that can do this and may other valuable input information be an Auto Meter D-pic.
And if you had this you could easily have information about the performance level of your suspension like the dampeners.
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