SACHS useful tip:
Impact damage to shocks and dampers.

Accidents or major installation errors can cause severe damage.

Therefore:

• Carefully inspect damage to axles and shock absorber/damper attachments.
• Perform wheel alignment.

Cause:

• Piston rod bent, e.g. by accident
• Extreme trapped stresses, e.g. from incorrect installation

Consequence:

• Piston rod jams in the guide.

Cause:

• Shocks and dampers installed with trapped stresses
• Fastening nut tightened with excessive torque

Consequence:

• Material overstretched, stem mount breaks off.

Comment:

• Never use impact wrenches.

Cause:

• The buffer stop for the spring path is deficient or absent (e.g. from an accident). This means that the shock absorber/damper must perform the buffer stop's function, which causes excessive strain.
• The air-spring ride-height control system was not correctly adjusted.
• Excessive strain caused by extreme use on poor roads.

Consequence:

• Shock absorber or damper performance is limited or non-existent. Vehicle wanders, makes noises.