Question about purging new shocks

Have you guys heard of purging new shocks of air?
Is this practice still necessary? I've always just installed shocks and been done.

Apparently you're suppose to let the shock extend, then turn it over and collapse it. Repeat several times.
Can I feasibly even collapse a new shock?

I've always positioned them on the bottom mount, cut the wire retainer, and then as it rose slipped it over the upper mount. I've never tried to push it back down.

 

you can compress new shocks, but it isn't the easiest thing to do. I've also never heard of purging new shocks of air. I would think that has to be some kind of myth, because if you purge them of air, the air will have to have a means to escape the shock body, which means you would have to have a crappy seal, or a valve to open, like bleeding brakes. So if you did that, it would move all the "air" to one spot, and just have a large air void instead of lots of smaller ones (assuming there is a lot of air in your shock). And if the seal was able to let air bypass it to purge your shock, why would you not also lose nitrogen out of nitro charged gas shocks, or leak hydro fluid out of hydro filled shocks? I think just bolt up one end, cut the wire, and install the other, like you say you do. That's what I've always done, and I've never noticed any shock fade or wierd effects on my vehicles vs. anyone elses. Also, I can't imagine the guys at any shop spending time purging your shocks during a lift kit install either. I think you are safe.

 

I have installed several sets of shocks and I have never heard of this, that doesn't mean it is not true, but I have never done this or heard of it. None of my shocks seem to have had any problems

 

In most states it is against the law to purge the air, because the air is from a foriegn country, and is assumed to be quite poluted. Maybe on some high dollar shocks this is a process used but not on normal shocks..

 

This hasn't been required for 30 years or more. Gas charged shocks don't require purging, there's nothing to purge. Purging helped old non-gas charged shocks work better when they were first installed, the air worked its way out eventually anyway.

 

Good to know. Thanks

Yeah, I've never done this and never had any problems either.
I won't worry about it.

Also, good point, modern shocks are gas filled, you won't haven't anything left if you purged the air!!