Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing shock absorbers in situ on automotive vehicles, the apparatus including, generally, a light-weight, hand-carried console which in the preferred embodiment includes its own source of energy so that it is truly portable, and which also has an oscillation detector in the form of an accelerometer supported thereon. The console of the apparatus is preferably placed on the fender of the vehicle, directly over the tire or wheel to which the shock absorber to be tested is coupled. The console has thereon easily observable light indicators to visually indicate the number of times the vehicle oscillates up and down. Initially, the vehicle is bounced a pre-determined number of times to activate the apparatus, five times in the disclosed embodiment, with each bounce, that is, each up and down, being visually indicated by means of operating lights. An alarm or warning also is provided to audibly indicate that the vehicle has been bounced the proper amount of times and should be released.