I'm embarrassed that I don't know this but...

just bought new front shocks, why is it that every shock I've ever installed was under pressure, [had to compress it by hand to install it], but the shocks I just got in the mail have no compression at all, the piston doesn't try to push out like other shocks.

Is this the way XJ front shocks are supposed to be? How does that even work?

 

sounds like a defected shock every shock i have installed no matter what make the vehicle was they all are under pressure if you feel no resistance in the shock then it is defective

 

But both shocks are the same way, what are the odds of them both being defective.

 

depends on who you buy them from, cheap shocks will have more defective units

 

not all shocks are under pressure they will be just fine

 

Throw em on and go for a drive. It won't be hard to tell if they aren't doing anything.

 

What he said.

I just put shocks on when I did my lift. They weren't under pressure (x4). The ride is great and they let it flex.