Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Mr Hagon on 30 March 2012, 00:18:11

Title: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Mr Hagon on 30 March 2012, 00:18:11
So, I made the trip to WIM today and it was a very short one, albeit one that didn't cost me anything  :y.  I will, of course, be returning.

Both the wishbones are shot, so a pair of Lemforders will be ordered from All German Parts in due course (yes, I've decided against poly bushes for now).

However the o/s/r shock looks in poor health, as the picture shows.

(http://www.mhagon.demon.co.uk/omega/wim/20120329/shock.jpg)

As this is an Elite estate and I have the pipe going on to the shock, I'll assume it's the self levelling system and in order to maintain this I would need to buy the GM shocks (on TC of course) as a pattern part, say from Monroe, won't immediately fit.

Can someone confirm this, as a search of the site hasn't made this clear in my mind.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: mathewst on 30 March 2012, 00:21:49
to my knowledge only gm parts will fit but are too expensive
You can always replace rear shocks and springs and turn off the air suspension.
Last non leveling rear shocks on my previous mig were KYB and I would recomend them
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: davethediver on 30 March 2012, 00:28:04
Ditch the self levelling side of things and fit pattern shocks may have to disconnect the pump or something but sure that's what a lot on here have done :y
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: mathewst on 30 March 2012, 00:34:23
I think he needs to replace the spring also but there are plenty second hand springs available there in UK as opossed to here >:(
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Mr Hagon on 30 March 2012, 00:39:27
I think he needs to replace the spring also but there are plenty second hand springs available there in UK as opossed to here >:(
Yup, if I ditch the self levelling shocks, then I need new springs.  Given that s/l shocks on TC come out at £150 + VAT I can live with that as that's roughly the same price for Monroe air shocks.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: feeutfo on 30 March 2012, 00:43:41
Depends on your needs. If you tow, carry heavy loads, have an Estate, then keeper the SL system as standard.

If saloon and you don't carry much weight, then fit a non SL shock of choice to improve handling. However if the springs are SL as well they will also have to be changed to match the new shocks as they are way too soft without SL shocks to support them. The new shocks will leak/fail in short order, and the car will sway and wallow.

IMO either keep as standard Elite SL. Or change the full suspension set up. With the exception of plod spec suspension with SL or similar combinations.

Need more info, do you need SL?

(cross posted your last)
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Mr Hagon on 30 March 2012, 00:53:24
Depends on your needs. If you tow, carry heavy loads, have an Estate, then keeper the SL system as standard.

If saloon and you don't carry much weight, then fit a non SL shock of choice to improve handling. However if the springs are SL as well they will also have to be changed to match the new shocks as they are way too soft without SL shocks to support them. The new shocks will leak/fail in short order, and the car will sway and wallow.

IMO either keep as standard Elite SL. Or change the full suspension set up. With the exception of plod spec suspension with SL or similar combinations.

Need more info, do you need SL?

(cross posted your last)
Don't tow, only carry heavy loads when going on holiday in UK, but its an Estate so....

...will keep the SL as ditching it means new shocks and springs.  Question is, is the only way to do this by buying the GM SL shocks; i.e. no other pattern manufacturer/part is available at a cheaper price.  If this is the case then fine, will just get the GM shocks on TC via andyc.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: doz on 30 March 2012, 06:46:20
I've only ever come across Monroe units. Are they more expensive than the genuine ones? One of mine is starting to mist slightly so guess they will need doing at some point
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: feeutfo on 30 March 2012, 10:18:26
Gm only.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Elite_L0ver on 30 March 2012, 10:26:01
Ditch the self levelling side of things and fit pattern shocks may have to disconnect the pump or something but sure that's what a lot on here have done :y

That's what I dine but make sure you do them in pairs or you will have an uneven suspension and need to replace again soon paid 24 on TC from local factors  ;D
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: SteveAvfc. on 30 March 2012, 16:31:03
Just purchased a set of genuine Vx rear shocks from Vauxhallworldparts.com  yes genuine Vx £101.00 delivered not self levelling though but you can do with out self levellers  :y :y
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: VXL V6 on 30 March 2012, 21:11:55
Shame it's an estate, I have a pair of self levellers from a saloon with about 30K on them and will have another pair with about 12K on them later in the year.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: TheBoy on 31 March 2012, 09:48:48
GM only for self levellers.

If you go non self levelling, you need to change the springs as well.


If you are happy with the Elite ride, stick with the levellers.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Mr Hagon on 31 March 2012, 11:22:53
Shame it's an estate, I have a pair of self levellers from a saloon with about 30K on them and will have another pair with about 12K on them later in the year.
Shame but at least I can get them cheaper on TC.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Mr Hagon on 31 March 2012, 11:24:53
GM only for self levellers.

If you go non self levelling, you need to change the springs as well.


If you are happy with the Elite ride, stick with the levellers.
Thanks TB, a sweet and succinct answer.  I am happy with the ride and don't want to worry about change the springs too, so GM self levellers are the way to go, via TC  :y.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Bixy1 on 31 March 2012, 11:28:40
I thought self-levellers were air shocks . . . What is the fluid leaking out?   Or is it just me?  ???
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: doz on 31 March 2012, 11:50:44
Oil filled normal shock with a airbag mounted on he top. If they were just air it would get mighty bouncy  ;)
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Bixy1 on 01 April 2012, 23:02:32
Chuff Me! You learn something everyday!
Anyway, bouncy is good . . . ::)
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: adey2 on 02 April 2012, 01:04:49
shocks 95 each on tc delivered, andy sent me mine out and were here in days, ive got one here that got damaged to go back, ask him if hell do it cheaper lol, dhl squashed the top swction of it during delivery
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Mr Hagon on 02 April 2012, 15:27:32
Spoke to andyc and the shocks are £75 + VAT each (on TC) plus a bit of delivery and should be with me by Wednesday.

Also spoke to All German Parts and ordered the Lemforder wishbones, having ordered a pair they're free delivery, again should be here in the next day or two.

Finally spoke to Tony B @ WIM and booked back in for Wednesday 11 April to have it all fitted and the geo sorted  ;D.

I love it when a plan comes together  :y.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Mr Hagon on 25 April 2012, 23:37:47
Just to close this one off, everything went well...apart from picking up a screw in the n/s/r tyre.  But helpful chaps at WIM ordered one in and fitted it at last year's price - saved a lot of hassle as the MOT was two days later.

Wishbones and shocks fitted which resulted in passing the MOT with no real problems.

Steering wheel isn't level when driving straight ahead, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I've always found it's a pain to get it level anyway.  Not the end of the world and at least I won't be destroying front tyres  :y :y :y.
Title: Re: Which shocks to buy?
Post by: Cliffo B on 26 April 2012, 11:10:15
At last Mr Hagon :y
Someone who believes in not devalueing his Miggy
And loseing one of it's nearly unique safety assets for the sake of a paltry few quid :y :y