Mondeo Shocks - Replace?

[breamster]

Quick question - is it worth changing the shocks?

Car is a 2009 Mondeo 2.0 diesel. It is the 'sport' spec if that makes a difference. 150k miles with no history to suggest the shocks have been replaced yet.

The ride is very harsh. On a slick motorway it is great but on rough roads its painful.

Could the shocks be worn out? I always thought worn shocks were soft but am I wrong? Car drives fine otherwise, no pulling to either side, even tyre wear etc. No visible leaks, bounciness etc.

[Taita]

Bushings perished rather than shocks failed?

[breamster]

Taita said:

Bushings perished rather than shocks failed?

Good idea. Would this have been picked up though in a recent MOT?

[E-bmw]

Start with the basics first, check tyre pressures, even experimenting with just under the "normal load" setting if you run mainly 1 up.

I have dropped mine (different car) to 31 instead of 33 as 33 is for 2 x pax & 2 x bags.

[GreenV8S]

Worn dampers that have started to leak will often feel very harsh due to hammering from pockets of gas going through the valves.

[Fusion777]

Could well be the shocks. Try the obvious first as has been suggested. One of mine had gone on my Golf so recently had it replaced, rides like a different car now. Ride started getting worse at maybe 90k ish miles.

[Smint]

You mention 'sport', is it on massive wheels with little tyre sidewall to speak of? if so is there an alternative wheel/tyre combo ideally giving 60 or higher aspect ratio, as a bonus tyre costs are usually less painful.

[breamster]

Thanks all.

I'm going to price it up and see. I think it sounds like it's worth a try.

The car I think never used to be so harsh. I think!!

I swapped tyres a month or so ago and it made no difference. I've got a kit car that is very sensitive to tyre pressure so all cars get checked periodically. I'm very familiar with the drawbacks of skinny tyre walls as well.