I have an '82 also, and the original shocks that suprisingly still
work fine. (Unlike the crap some other VW products came with)
I think they will simply rust out before they get soft from wear.
Just do the standard test: Stand on the bumber in one corner.
Jump off. The bus should rise up but not keep moving up and down.

The shocks on my Quantum (B2 chassis Passat) are temp sensitive!
In the cold they get too stiff (maybe moisture in the oil?) and
that makes for a real bumpy ride and not optimal road contact.
Don't know what replacement # I'm on the Quantum, but they
definitely don't last 17 years like the '82 Westy.

Guess you won't have that cold problem where you are. GF is
postdocing at UNSW and tells me about all the fun outdoor stuff
she does while I sit here and freeze... any cheap plane tickets?

/Martin
--
Westy 1.9l Turbo Diesel
Quantum 1.6l Turbo Diesel

Martin Jagersand                 email: jag@cs.yale.edu
Computer Science Department             jag@cs.rochester.edu
Yale University

        Slow down and visit the VW diesel Westy page:
          WWW: http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw
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> Greetings from downunder.  I have an '82 Transporter (camper).
> The shock absorbers are all original.  I am wondering what
> comments people have on replacing them.  I ask, because the front
> left one has just commenced to leak a drop of oil occasionally.
>
> How does one decide it is time to replace?  Apart from oil leaks,
> that is?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
> David Yates
> '82 Auto Transporter (Vanagon)