Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 20:38:41

Title: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 20:38:41
Stumbled access this pic the other day. On a gallery thread by Paul K.

Hope he doesn't mind me pinching it copy and paste style, but I thought it was a bit if an eye opener tbh. I've seen oil leaks from sl shocks, and the severe rust around the shock body under the bladders, common sense suggested that 2+2 should go together and mean the oil was leaking from the rusted shock body and if left long enough the thing would snap off.

But I had trouble believing the metal was so thin, and didn't quite believe it. WRONGGGG!

Here's the proof. But how to stop it..?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/billycabrio/Vauxhall%20Omega%20Estate%20V6/null_zps82d44f59.jpg)
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: symes on 25 August 2013, 21:08:45
That's what happens when accountants run the motor industry---cheaper metal(thinner) so lowers price of vehicle or increases profit  :y that's why modern cars wont last and 99% characterless bland/fugly devices
I got a pair of consul shocks here made in 1960 and they still work/leak free Vauxhall never was or will be that good :'( thats why not many old ones around mate :-\ my rover lives outside 24/7-archs/body no rust(47yrs) miggy 13-rust in arches doors and bumpers would too but they're plastic
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: Rods2 on 25 August 2013, 21:36:39
I did wonder if it was worth painting mine when I replaced them, but I didn't bother. :-[ Now would you use underseal or more coats of enamel paint?
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: SMD on 25 August 2013, 21:38:16
Mine failed last month. So quite so dramatically though. The car was bouncing all over the place
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 25 August 2013, 21:45:02
I did wonder if it was worth painting mine when I replaced them, but I didn't bother. :-[ Now would you use underseal or more coats of enamel paint?

Can't use oil or petrol chemical based stuff as it might well eat the bladders, although they seem to last on failed shocks ok. Although anything sticky will attract dust and stones under the bladders too.

So that leaves painting IMO. Under seal stays sticky I thought...?

Hammerite? But how to get the bladders off or out the way...?

I've got an old pair in the garage, I might do an autopsy, see what's what.
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: Mr.OmegaMan on 25 August 2013, 21:53:40
Few layers of paint and a coat of Silicone on new ones before fitting maybe  :-\
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: kevinp58 on 25 August 2013, 23:10:12
heres mine too.   >:( http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=112995.msg1424701#msg1424701
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: jonny2112 on 26 August 2013, 07:36:51
Mine failed last month. So quite so dramatically though. The car was bouncing all over the place

Mine's started this now too. At first thought it was the extra weight of the gas tank that I wasn't used to, but convinced now it's the shocks. Must get the B4s fitted.
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: Andy H on 26 August 2013, 08:31:23
I can't see paint lasting TBH but a thicker coating might last longer than the factory finish. I think the problem is that salt and grit gets under the bladder and turns into a corrosive grinding paste that roughs up the surface every time the car is driven and then gets held in place as a warm wet poltice until the next drive :(

I did wonder about wrapping the steel tube with PVC tape :-\
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: VXL V6 on 26 August 2013, 09:55:14
Take those horrid self levellers off and fit B4's  :y

Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: jonny2112 on 26 August 2013, 10:05:31
Take those horrid self levellers off and fit B4's  :y

Looking forward to seeing the difference  :y
Mot is next month so may have to get them done rather than do them myself.
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 26 August 2013, 10:18:00
Take those horrid self levellers off and fit B4's  :y


I have, as its a saloon. But there have been times when I've seriously considered re fitting them, carrying heavy loads etc.


Plus Estate owners won't be too keen to drop sl. I know I wouldn't if I had one.
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 26 August 2013, 10:27:21
Which, come to think if it, was why I/we/whoever it was can't remember, where asking pedders about air bags that fit in the springs. Best of both worlds then. Fit B4's or shocks of your choice, with sport springs or whatever you fancy AND have a self levelling option if carrying loads.

Sadly Pedders refused to import any without cash up front, and I wouldn't pay without knowing they would work. They are £200 plus too though:( . Iirc. :-\

Bit short sited on pedders behalf I thought, ESP seeing as they could fit a few models, lc as well. I hoped they'd get a set in and try them as they did with polly donuts. But no... :(
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 26 August 2013, 10:29:25
Cliffo B has a set if mad cats spring air bags in his.

But again, I couldn't get any sense out of management, as they're not an official approved fit.
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: kevinp58 on 26 August 2013, 11:27:27
When I got my secondhand set from albitz, they were in very good condition, so before I fitted them, I extended them out and put some copper grease on the tube, that should give some good protection.  :-\
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: Andy B on 26 August 2013, 11:52:48
.... and put some copper grease on the tube, that should give some good protection.  :-\

Did you get the OK from Chris first?  ::)  ::)  ::)
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: aaronjb on 26 August 2013, 15:22:14
Hopefully mine won't snap before I get chance to fit the replacements!  :y

Especially as I need to go and strap a shed to the roof of the car shortly (flat pack, obviously..)  :-[
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: kevinp58 on 26 August 2013, 16:23:13
.... and put some copper grease on the tube, that should give some good protection.  :-\

Did you get the OK from Chris first?  ::)  ::)  ::)







 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 26 August 2013, 17:20:38
Of course he didnt. :P
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: tunnie on 26 August 2013, 19:06:00
SL's on the 3.0 Elite did got like that too, MotherT had not noticed  :o

Shit happens really, amount of muck and salt on the roads its to be expected. Plus parts to a cost, GM exhausts were a very visible drop in quality as you could see it.

Suspect same with others parts, just can't tell so easily
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: aaronjb on 27 August 2013, 09:33:09
SL's on the 3.0 Elite did got like that too, MotherT had not noticed  :o

I didn't notice mine were on their way out until it totally failed, and even then it just felt 'odd' rather than feeling classically like a dead shock.. I think that's because they're so soft normally anyway. Now, with it totally failed, it feels like the car is going to fall over in a left hand corner ;D
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 August 2013, 19:26:12
Ime, when the shocks fail, which is at the point the oil leaks out, often accompanied by an odd fizzing noise from the rear of the car, the most obvious symptom is the wheels bouncing off bumps and banging as they land back on the road after the bump.

A typical sign of lost damping. The ride height should remain stable at least initially,  if not necessarily the same. So I wonder, does AaronJB have a buggered spring as well? :-\
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: kevinp58 on 27 August 2013, 22:34:26
Ime, when the shocks fail, which is at the point the oil leaks out, often accompanied by an odd fizzing noise from the rear of the car, the most obvious symptom is the wheels bouncing off bumps and banging as they land back on the road after the bump.

A typical sign of lost damping. The ride height should remain stable at least initially,  if not necessarily the same. So I wonder, does AaronJB have a buggered spring as well? :-\






Acctually mine went BANG because of a ferking big pot hole in the dark.  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 27 August 2013, 22:56:18
Ime, when the shocks fail, which is at the point the oil leaks out, often accompanied by an odd fizzing noise from the rear of the car, the most obvious symptom is the wheels bouncing off bumps and banging as they land back on the road after the bump.

A typical sign of lost damping. The ride height should remain stable at least initially,  if not necessarily the same. So I wonder, does AaronJB have a buggered spring as well? :-\






Acctually mine went BANG because of a ferking big pot hole in the dark.  >:( >:( >:(
What, burst the bladder? Lordy. :o


Or collapsed the shock?
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: aaronjb on 27 August 2013, 23:23:40
A typical sign of lost damping. The ride height should remain stable at least initially,  if not necessarily the same. So I wonder, does AaronJB have a buggered spring as well? :-\

I don't think so - certainly nothing looked broken when we were under there last week.. There's just no damping going on so the car is free to wallow over in corners (but only one corner of the car, so it feels like the back end drops as you load up that side of the suspension)..

Ride height at rest is still even on all corners.
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: kevinp58 on 28 August 2013, 00:20:20
Ime, when the shocks fail, which is at the point the oil leaks out, often accompanied by an odd fizzing noise from the rear of the car, the most obvious symptom is the wheels bouncing off bumps and banging as they land back on the road after the bump.

A typical sign of lost damping. The ride height should remain stable at least initially,  if not necessarily the same. So I wonder, does AaronJB have a buggered spring as well? :-\






Acctually mine went BANG because of a ferking big pot hole in the dark.  >:( >:( >:(
What, burst the bladder? Lordy. :o


Or collapsed the shock?








the bottom part rusted and then went spectacularly when I went over a pot hole,  >:( >:( as in photos.  :y
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 August 2013, 10:32:47
Rear shocks rusting throguh has been happening for as long as I can remember, seen it on Triumphs, BMW's, Rovers, VAG the works.
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: P6UL K on 29 August 2013, 14:21:38
Stumbled access this pic the other day. On a sales thread by Paul K.

Hope he doesn't mind me pinching it copy and paste style, but I thought it was a bit if an eye opener tbh. I've seen oil leaks from sl shocks, and the severe rust around the shock body under the bladders, common sense suggested that 2+2 should go together and mean the oil was leaking from the rusted shock body and if left long enough the thing would snap off.

But I had trouble believing the metal was so thin, and didn't quite believe it. WRONGGGG!

Here's the proof. But how to stop it..?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/billycabrio/Vauxhall%20Omega%20Estate%20V6/null_zps82d44f59.jpg)

No that's fine, help yourself lol... Although the photo was in my gallery thread ;-)
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: chrisgixer on 29 August 2013, 14:55:17
....beg your pardon Paul, my wording implies entirely the wrong thing.

sincere apologies. :-[


I,ll see if admin will alter it.
Title: Re: Self levelling shock failure, heads up.
Post by: P6UL K on 29 August 2013, 15:21:15
Honestly Chris don't worry about it it's no biggie  :y