How to tell if shocks are bad?

[PNWrider]

I've never had new atv shocks so I can't compare my current shocks to anything. I've got stage 3 Elka's that don't seem to be affected much by any of the adjustments I make (compression rebound). Now I haven't got to ride it yet but was thinking I should be able to tell just by pushing up and down on the quad. It's got 140lbs of nitrogen. Not sure how to check the oil.

[fearlessfred]

checking and knowing what the nitrogen pressure is now and what it started with can tell you a lot.when you check the pressure with out using the proper tool you can loose a large amount of pressure and even with the right tool there is a small loss. elka will have record of what the setup was on your shocks.Im guessing the factory settings for the fronts are much higher than 142.They have floating pistons in the rezzys and when the oring starts leaking it lets the nitrogen go over to the oil side and makes them kinda dead feeling

[rablack21]

checking and knowing what the nitrogen pressure is now and what it started with can tell you a lot.when you check the pressure with out using the proper tool you can loose a large amount of pressure and even with the right tool there is a small loss. elka will have record of what the setup was on your shocks.Im guessing the factory settings for the fronts are much higher than 142.They have floating pistons in the rezzys and when the oring starts leaking it lets the nitrogen go over to the oil side and makes them kinda dead feeling

^^^ Good info here. Also a couple other things to look for but requires you to have some seat time with your shocks. If the oil is worn out, the shocks will become alot softer than they were intially, prone to bottoming out. If most of the oil has leaked out due to a bad seal, the shock with feel extremely stiff, resisting movement. You may not really be able to tell much from the adjusters because some of them don't really make much of a change. Alot of older type shocks had adjusters that were very "fine tune" and don't really change the shock feel much.

[08IRS]

I've never had new atv shocks so I can't compare my current shocks to anything. I've got stage 3 Elka's that don't seem to be affected much by any of the adjustments I make (compression rebound). Now I haven't got to ride it yet but was thinking I should be able to tell just by pushing up and down on the quad. It's got 140lbs of nitrogen. Not sure how to check the oil.

If you do not know how old they are or how they are setup I would send them off to be serviced.  Money well spent in my opinion.