Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Lizzie Zoom on 28 January 2026, 17:26:49
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My Omega passed it's MOT again today - it has never failed - , but with advisories including requiring new rear shocks, and the need to clean / protect "brake pipes corroded, covered in grease or other material" . So nothing too serious. New shocks will be fitted shortly, and in the Summer I will get underneath the car to clean down / protect spray the pipes.
Happy!! :D :D :D
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:y :y :y
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Good luck finding a pair of rear shocks for an Omega Elite.
If you find a source ,please let me know where from, and how much. :y
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Nice one. :y
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Nice one, always a relief. :y
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My Omega passed it's MOT again today - it has never failed - , but with advisories including requiring new rear shocks, and the need to clean / protect "brake pipes corroded, covered in grease or other material" . So nothing too serious. New shocks will be fitted shortly, and in the Summer I will get underneath the car to clean down / protect spray the pipes.
Happy!! :D :D :D
Will you fit. ::)
Another pass is always welcome especially when you don't have to open your wallet. :)
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That's great Lizzie, always good to have a pass with nothing too serious to rectify another year of bargain motoring.
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Must be the start of the year, and quotas reset, as even mine passed easily this time. In fact the tester was unusually complimentary about the condition underneath....
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Good luck finding a pair of rear shocks for an Omega Elite.
If you find a source ,please let me know where from, and how much. :y
My VX dealer states they can do the work, and have quoted £237.60, all in, to do it. I will be accepting that next week as I cant be bothered now , too aged, to do that type of work, let alone finding the right shocks!
With them looking after my old beast as they have on and off for years, with them always treating her with great respect- they do not have another Omega on their books - and me knowing their General Manager, Service Manager and Parts Manager for a long time, why not! My MOT cost just £35 because of these contacts. ;D ;D :)
:D ;)
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Congratulation on the pass :)
I imagine a dealer or anyone fitting shocks will just fit regular shocks ,not self levelling . is this YOUR case ?
IIRC, swapping from S.L set up to standard requires springs too :-\
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Yes, LZ, check what they are fitting, and also check what yours has - the self levelling ones have an obvious air bladder on the bottom, and obviously air lines at the top (in wheel arch, not at the top in the boot).
Elites all came with them as standard, but may have been removed by a previous owner due to cost (and latterly, availability).
As DtB suggests, springs made for Omega self levelling shocks are not a good choice for non self levelling springs. I'd actually say it's dangerous under certain driving conditions.
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Good luck finding a pair of rear shocks for an Omega Elite.
If you find a source ,please let me know where from, and how much. :y
My VX dealer states they can do the work, and have quoted £237.60, all in, to do it. I will be accepting that next week as I cant be bothered now , too aged, to do that type of work, let alone finding the right shocks!
With them looking after my old beast as they have on and off for years, with them always treating her with great respect- they do not have another Omega on their books - and me knowing their General Manager, Service Manager and Parts Manager for a long time, why not! My MOT cost just £35 because of these contacts. ;D ;D :)
:D ;)
To reinforce what TB has said.
The price you have been quoted is probably a similar amount they would have to pay for each self levelling damper - if they could actually be found.
So they will not be fitting like for like but using standard (2.6 spec) dampers.
This is fine. I have done the same when one of my S/L dampers burst its bladder.
Thing is, the rear springs must also be changed at the same time. S/L spec spings are far too soft to work in conjunction with non S/L dampers.
To leave the original springs on the car will imo leave the car in a potentially dangerous condition.
You may not notice just driving around town, and may well not have a press on driving style these days, but in an emergency situation the handling will be a lot worse, and unpredictable, which is dangerous.
Doc Gollum can provide a link for Kilen springs, which arent that expensive, and will do the job nicely
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Links readily available. But it's not the first time that Betty has been turned over by her VX dealer :-X
Doing the job correctly, means either the correct shocks or new shocks, springs and a couple of hours to remove the self levelling gubbins. Pulling the fuse is to totally half arse it.
Genuine non SL shocks are circa £100 each. Springs around £60. £237 at a main dealer isn't going to buy anything worth getting. :-X
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Good luck finding a pair of rear shocks for an Omega Elite.
If you find a source ,please let me know where from, and how much. :y
My VX dealer states they can do the work, and have quoted £237.60, all in, to do it. I will be accepting that next week as I cant be bothered now , too aged, to do that type of work, let alone finding the right shocks!
With them looking after my old beast as they have on and off for years, with them always treating her with great respect- they do not have another Omega on their books - and me knowing their General Manager, Service Manager and Parts Manager for a long time, why not! My MOT cost just £35 because of these contacts. ;D ;D :)
:D ;)
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Sounds like you've got a good deal Lizzie well done 👍
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Personally, Im not convinced.
Anyone who knew the ins and outs of Omegas at Vauxhall dealers, back in the day, is probably retired by now.
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I had a Monroe set of air shocks on my camaro.
Did a check - few options out there.
Google this - air ride shock absorber replacement for 2003 vauxhall omega elite
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Book time is probably an hour a side. That's got to be a minimum of £120 a side plus VAT
There's no way this side of the moon that that job is being done correctly.
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Book time is probably an hour a side. That's got to be a minimum of £120 a side plus VAT
There's no way this side of the moon that that job is being done correctly.
I’m using a main Vauxhall dealer who knows my car, and I know their management team. Therefore. I know I have redress if they get things wrong, and anyway on a car that is 23 years old and hardly does 3,000 miles in a year, I just want what is easy to do; that is a professionally outfit doing the work whilst I keep in the warm and dry that now I must do for age and health reasons :)
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Links readily available. But it's not the first time that Betty has been turned over by her VX dealer :-X
Doing the job correctly, means either the correct shocks or new shocks, springs and a couple of hours to remove the self levelling gubbins. Pulling the fuse is to totally half arse it.
Genuine non SL shocks are circa £100 each. Springs around £60. £237 at a main dealer isn't going to buy anything worth getting. :-X
Really?? !! :o :o
The only time I have had a problem with them because of a new genuine GM A/C compressor failing within two years of being fitted, the General Manager of the dealership arranged for a full reimbursement of all costs of fitting a replacement that is still working without issue.
Recently they also assisted me in sourcing an alternator that was exactly right for the Omega, after others were found not being suitable, even they they were rated as being correct for my car.
So I have NEVER been “turned over” by this Vx dealership, and in fact have received great, well priced, service by them. I am not one to be easily “turned over”, having taken others through the legal process to successfully obtain what I am due when things have gone wrong. I also have always spread my business across other suppliers and dealers to get the best deals.
In any case, please read my immediately previous post. When you get to my age and health levels, you have to go for the best options, which for me and my car I need to keep on a straightforward, sensible, standard. :D ;)
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I had a Monroe set of air shocks on my camaro.
Did a check - few options out there.
Google this - air ride shock absorber replacement for 2003 vauxhall omega elite
Yes Skruntie, Monroe shocks from Autodoc range from £29 to £64 for standard shocks for my 3.2 Omega, and there is a version priced at £112, of a type which isn’t fitted to mine.
So for me, the £238 for fitting two is more than acceptable for me these days! ;D ;D ;)
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I had a Monroe set of air shocks on my camaro.
Did a check - few options out there.
Google this - air ride shock absorber replacement for 2003 vauxhall omega elite
Yes Skruntie, Monroe shocks from Autodoc range from £29 to £64 for standard shocks for my 3.2 Omega, and there is a version priced at £112, of a type which isn’t fitted to mine.
So for me, the £238 for fitting two is more than acceptable for me these days! ;D ;D ;)
.
As I said earlier you've found a great deal with a dealer that knows you, peace of mind for another year, keep on top of the repairs & it will motor on forever 👍
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Book time is probably an hour a side. That's got to be a minimum of £120 a side plus VAT
There's no way this side of the moon that that job is being done correctly.
I’m using a main Vauxhall dealer who knows my car, and I know their management team. Therefore. I know I have redress if they get things wrong, and anyway on a car that is 23 years old and hardly does 3,000 miles in a year, I just want what is easy to do; that is a professionally outfit doing the work whilst I keep in the warm and dry that now I must do for age and health reasons :)
Nobody is saying paying somebody to do the work is a bad idea. None of us are getting any younger, and I'm still sporting an injury from changing a wheel last year ;D
But there is an old adage, if something is too good to be true, it probably is. The price sounds massively low *IF* yours still has self levelling.
Hence, I urge you to just check (nothing strenuous, just getting down on hands and knees to check (or photo, if unsure) the base of the shock). It's possible in a former life, its have the SL removed, in which case that price doesn't sound low at all.
Given that I believe SL springs coupled with a non SL shock will dramatically impact handling in an unpredictable way, I really do urge you to do this simple check, and if you have got SL shocks, contact your dealer and check they know this.
Obviously, your car, your choice, so I will say no more on the matter. But I think we'd all be sorry to hear you'd reversed it into a hedge, or worse, because somebody who doesn't know Omegas put the wrong combination of parts on.
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Exactly. :y
Also just listen for the S/L compressor kicking in for a few seconds when ignition is switched.
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I will just quickly add, if your has got SL springs, and they can only fit non SL, its worth asking them how much extra to fit non Elite springs at the same time :y - likely to be just parts cost at that point, as it's already stripped down....
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i have to agree with some of the above comments yes .
if the car has been modified over the years to non self levelling then yes fitting a pair of normal standard shocks and cleaning /greasing the brake pipes would be doable at that quoted price (if not a little expensive ?)
BUT as said if your still on the factory self levelling system then id be asking what they are actually going to do ??
but aside all that -what and why are the shocks an advisory anyway .had they thought they seemed a little soft whilst maybee dropping into the brake test rollers ? or what .they dont do the corner bounce check anymore and you wouldnt spot a leaking shaft seal because of the air boot ???
marking brake pipes as "covered in grease or other material " is pretty standard anyway unless obviously rusty !
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Book time is probably an hour a side. That's got to be a minimum of £120 a side plus VAT
There's no way this side of the moon that that job is being done correctly.
I’m using a main Vauxhall dealer who knows my car, and I know their management team. Therefore. I know I have redress if they get things wrong, and anyway on a car that is 23 years old and hardly does 3,000 miles in a year, I just want what is easy to do; that is a professionally outfit doing the work whilst I keep in the warm and dry that now I must do for age and health reasons :)
Nobody is saying paying somebody to do the work is a bad idea. None of us are getting any younger, and I'm still sporting an injury from changing a wheel last year ;D
But there is an old adage, if something is too good to be true, it probably is. The price sounds massively low *IF* yours still has self levelling.
Hence, I urge you to just check (nothing strenuous, just getting down on hands and knees to check (or photo, if unsure) the base of the shock). It's possible in a former life, its have the SL removed, in which case that price doesn't sound low at all.
Given that I believe SL springs coupled with a non SL shock will dramatically impact handling in an unpredictable way, I really do urge you to do this simple check, and if you have got SL shocks, contact your dealer and check they know this.
Obviously, your car, your choice, so I will say no more on the matter. But I think we'd all be sorry to hear you'd reversed it into a hedge, or worse, because somebody who doesn't know Omegas put the wrong combination of parts on.
Thanks TB, I note your comments. :y However I know already that my Omega has not got S/L shocks fitted, being just plain, everyday ones. I don't know if it ever did have them, but there is no sign of them now. :D ;)
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i have to agree with some of the above comments yes .
if the car has been modified over the years to non self levelling then yes fitting a pair of normal standard shocks and cleaning /greasing the brake pipes would be doable at that quoted price (if not a little expensive ?)
BUT as said if your still on the factory self levelling system then id be asking what they are actually going to do ??
but aside all that -what and why are the shocks an advisory anyway .had they thought they seemed a little soft whilst maybee dropping into the brake test rollers ? or what .they dont do the corner bounce check anymore and you wouldnt spot a leaking shaft seal because of the air boot ???
marking brake pipes as "covered in grease or other material " is pretty standard anyway unless obviously rusty !
Thanks for your comments. :y The shocks are slightly leaking, which the MOT inspector noted as "light misting of oil" on each shock. So they could last another year or two, but I always rectify any advisories as quickly as possible to keep the car up to standard.
The brake pipe cleaning I (think) I will do when it is dry and warm, with the right tool and coatings for the job identified for purchase. The £300+ cost being quoted by the dealer is too steep for a job I can, just, still do, as I have done before.
I am also going to clean up the callipers, so need to identify whast is the right paint to use. Any ideas anyone please? ??? ??? :D :)
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Nice rare colour for the Omega owned by Lizzie, although obviously not as rare as the almost unique star silver. :y
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I had a Monroe set of air shocks on my camaro.
Did a check - few options out there.
Google this - air ride shock absorber replacement for 2003 vauxhall omega elite
Yes Skruntie, Monroe shocks from Autodoc range from £29 to £64 for standard shocks for my 3.2 Omega, and there is a version priced at £112, of a type which isn’t fitted to mine.
So for me, the £238 for fitting two is more than acceptable for me these days! ;D ;D ;)
.
As I said earlier you've found a great deal with a dealer that knows you, peace of mind for another year, keep on top of the repairs & it will motor on forever 👍
Exactly Rangie :y :y After my last near death experience in October 2023, nothing matters so much now when it comes to everyday simple challenges that just are not worth the hassle and worry that when I was younger could cope with. Keeping it as simple as possible is now my daily aim! >:D >:D ;)
It is funny that yesterday a male friend of mine was under the front of a car, owned by a female friend, laying on the damp and cold road. He is 40 years of age, and I joked that when I was 17 I could do that, but not now, and he will soon suffer from doing what he still does!! >:D >:D >:D
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Nice rare colour for the Omega owned by Lizzie, although obviously not as rare as the almost unique star silver. :y
Thanks Opti ;D ;D :y
Funnily enough, yet again, I was approached by a young chap whilst sitting in my car who was praising such a rare beast. He went on to ask if he could video it whilst revving the engine. He explained his father used to own Omega's and loved them, so he wanted to show him one of the few still around! :D ;)
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I had a Monroe set of air shocks on my camaro.
Did a check - few options out there.
Google this - air ride shock absorber replacement for 2003 vauxhall omega elite
Yes Skruntie, Monroe shocks from Autodoc range from £29 to £64 for standard shocks for my 3.2 Omega, and there is a version priced at £112, of a type which isn’t fitted to mine.
So for me, the £238 for fitting two is more than acceptable for me these days! ;D ;D ;)
.
As I said earlier you've found a great deal with a dealer that knows you, peace of mind for another year, keep on top of the repairs & it will motor on forever 👍
Exactly Rangie :y :y After my last near death experience in October 2023, nothing matters so much now when it comes to everyday simple challenges that just are not worth the hassle and worry that when I was younger could cope with. Keeping it as simple as possible is now my daily aim! >:D >:D ;)
It is funny that yesterday a male friend of mine was under the front of a car, owned by a female friend, laying on the damp and cold road. He is 40 years of age, and I joked that when I was 17 I could do that, but not now, and he will soon suffer from doing what he still does!! >:D >:D >:D
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I know exactly what you mean Lizzie , I always used to service my cars myself & thought nothing of it, the more modern they became the less I did, the last oil change I did was on our old Subaru Forester about 4 years ago, after getting up from underneath it I swore that would be my last time under a vehicle, I actually struggled to get to my feet. Both our cars go to garages now servicing & I like you have no complaints , certainly with my wife's Toyota I wouldn't know where to start under the bonnet is a complete mystery to me but it returns 72mpg as an average & has shown 136 mpg on a long run ,in my eyes that is sheer magic ✨
Having said that if I could have my Omega back in the same condition I sold it in I'd snatch the owners hand off, it will always be the car I regretted selling the most.
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Book time is probably an hour a side. That's got to be a minimum of £120 a side plus VAT
There's no way this side of the moon that that job is being done correctly.
I’m using a main Vauxhall dealer who knows my car, and I know their management team. Therefore. I know I have redress if they get things wrong, and anyway on a car that is 23 years old and hardly does 3,000 miles in a year, I just want what is easy to do; that is a professionally outfit doing the work whilst I keep in the warm and dry that now I must do for age and health reasons :)
Nobody is saying paying somebody to do the work is a bad idea. None of us are getting any younger, and I'm still sporting an injury from changing a wheel last year ;D
But there is an old adage, if something is too good to be true, it probably is. The price sounds massively low *IF* yours still has self levelling.
Hence, I urge you to just check (nothing strenuous, just getting down on hands and knees to check (or photo, if unsure) the base of the shock). It's possible in a former life, its have the SL removed, in which case that price doesn't sound low at all.
Given that I believe SL springs coupled with a non SL shock will dramatically impact handling in an unpredictable way, I really do urge you to do this simple check, and if you have got SL shocks, contact your dealer and check they know this.
Obviously, your car, your choice, so I will say no more on the matter. But I think we'd all be sorry to hear you'd reversed it into a hedge, or worse, because somebody who doesn't know Omegas put the wrong combination of parts on.
Thanks TB, I note your comments. :y However I know already that my Omega has not got S/L shocks fitted, being just plain, everyday ones. I don't know if it ever did have them, but there is no sign of them now. :D ;)
How do you know it hasnt got S/L shocks fitted ?
It will 100% definitely have had them fitted from new, so if it hasnt got them now someone has removed them for some reason.
If it hasnt got them fitted now I hope whoever removed them fitted appropriate springs when they changed the shocks.
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Links readily available. But it's not the first time that Betty has been turned over by her VX dealer :-X
Doing the job correctly, means either the correct shocks or new shocks, springs and a couple of hours to remove the self levelling gubbins. Pulling the fuse is to totally half arse it.
Genuine non SL shocks are circa £100 each. Springs around £60. £237 at a main dealer isn't going to buy anything worth getting. :-X
Really?? !! :o :o
The only time I have had a problem with them because of a new genuine GM A/C compressor failing within two years of being fitted, the General Manager blah blah blah
I presume this is the same place that tried to charge £320 to change a ball joint at the last MoT ???
I have two questions:
As your car left the factory with self levelling suspension:
1. When was it removed?
2. Was it removed correctly or did they simply pull the fuse and fit standard shocks?
Any VX dealer would know from the VIN that it should have self levelling rear suspension even if they don't know or understand why or how it works. Actually any garage would be able to find that information easily enough :-X
That they apparently are prepared to throw on whatever is currently fitted raises more than an eyebrow.
I get that you may no longer be able to get under the car to do things, especially suspension work, (it's a bear to do even 15 years ago), but you are being led up the garden path by people that are only interested in depriving you of your money whilst smiling and making you think they've done you a favour. They haven't and they're not..
I'm not going to waste my time digging up links because you'll only ignore them and the advice given.