a shock absorber testing device wherein the vehicle body is raised relative to the vehicle wheels , and is then released . the vehicle wheels are not raised . upon releasing of the raised spring - suspended body of the vehicle , the resulting oscillations of the movement of the body is sensed , and various quality factors are determined and displayed to display the dampening proficiency of the shock absorber . the damping proficiency of a pair of shock absorbers located opposite each other on the vehicle may have their damping proficiencies displayed simultaneously and compared , and the difference therebetween also displayed to indicate uneven wear or imbalance of the shock absorbers of the vehicle .