Hissing Sound From Suspension

[MAF72]

I Have a MK3 Golf 1.6 GL (1997). When going over any kind of bump I hear a hissing sound coming from the front & rear suspension, is this normal or does it mean the shocks are on the way out.
If the shocks do need replacing is it a garage job or can a DIY mechanic tackle it. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

[SammoVWT]

Mine make a slight hissing noise and they are all new as of last year, they still damp as it only gets through half a bounce on the push test.

Ive checked the top and theres no oil leaking out of the shocks, so im guessing its the oil moving about inside.

When my shocks went, especially the front ones you will hear an almost shearing metal sound where the internals scrape with no oil, and maybe a slight clang. The hissing is also much more pronounced.

Unless it feels noticeably unstable at the front i would say they are fine.

If the back ones go, you wont be able to corner very well, as it will make the car shake if you try to take a bend 'quickly'. Noticeable on the motorway slip roads for sure.

If you arent excessively being thrown about by minor bumps, youre probably fine.

You can feel for oil on the top of the shocks if you move the protective cover up ( fingers through the spring) if they are dry at the top where the shaft meets the top of the shock then youre fine.

If they are dry, do a bounce test by pushing the corners of the car down, if it does more than 1 bounce they may be dry of oil (you will hear this too) and wont provide any damping at all.

If you have some spring compressors, for the back ones you can do it yourself. You will need a bar to pull the frame down a bit when you try to pop the bottom of the shock out of its socket, reverse for reassembly.

The front ones are harder as the bolts are pretty hard to undo, so that will probably need a compressed air tool for speed.

If you dont have spring compressors, you will struggle to re-assemble the suspension leg, as the springs are designed to hold a ton or so of car.

[MAF72]

Thanks for the info, I suspect they are alright but I will check for leaks in the morning to be certain.

[SammoVWT]

No worries