Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Omega Pixie on 01 February 2008, 09:15:30
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How do i conferm that my shocks are not self leveling.
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Look at the shocks, if there is a thin plastic air pipe connecting near the top then they are self-levelling.
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Have a look at them.
Believe that self levelling will have an air pipe fitted to the shocks. Also, there is a level sensor on the rear drivers side suspension arm, similar to those on the rear passenger and front passenger lower arms if the car is fitted with factory HID's.
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Rear shocks only, obviously....
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What if the shock absorber is leaking? I think I just found a leak - oil is coming from underneath the rubber . I think I've seen some photos of dismantled absorber but cant find it.
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...... oil is coming from underneath the rubber ......
Then they're 'rubber ducked' I'm afraid Marcin! :(
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What if the shock absorber is leaking? I think I just found a leak - oil is coming from underneath the rubber . I think I've seen some photos of dismantled absorber but cant find it.
If you want to confirm whats fitted, you can see the air pipe R clipped to the shock body visible above the wheel.
If you want to check the sl is working open the boot, turn the ignition/ engine on and sit on the bumper/boot ledge with you feet on the floor. When the pump kicks in you'll feel the back end rise to compensate for your extra waite.
But if they are leaking oil thats nowt to do with sl. Your damper oil is leaking out and as with any shock, they are breaked. No damping, the back end will hop bounce and bang over bumps. Its exactly what happened to mine. Go steady in the corners untill you get it sorted, you stand a good chance of loosing the back end.
150 a pair from vx on tc.... Ffs!
Still got my old ones with a view to taking them apart and see whats wrong with em, but first glance does not look hopefull. One day... :-)
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Thanks Andy & Chris. I must say, I don't know how this system works. I mean is it a normal shock absorber with extra space to add some air, or ca it be dismantled and parts can be replaced?
It looks like there is a leak between bottom tube and a rubber and I think I've seen photos on OOF with dismantled NIVO.
The bottom line is whether I can fix it or do I have to buy a replacement (over my car budged as I have already spent almost £200)?
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Thanks Andy & Chris. I must say, I don't know how this system works. I mean is it a normal shock absorber with extra space to add some air,
Yes! :y
..... or ca it be dismantled and parts can be replaced? ....
Afraid not, new shockers needed. :'(
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More toys, more problems... I have already paid £150 for fluids and cambelt kit, today I have rounded auto box plug, so will have to replace oil, filter and gaskets instead of topping up (extra £80-90) and now this.
(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7800/angryu.jpg) (http://img16.imageshack.us/my.php?image=angryu.jpg)
(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/angryu.jpg/1/w640.png) (http://g.imageshack.us/img16/angryu.jpg/1/)
Is it worth to go for a second hand one or new set is required?
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Estate with self-levelling suspension 72119085 £107.00 £90.98 £67.46
£135+vat for the pair on Trade Club. You could probably find plenty of other things to spend that amount of money on though. :-?
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or just fit standard shocks, 50 sobs i think. And pull the fuse for self levelling?
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I will have to think about it. Nivo is pretty rare on scap yards, dont know if it's worth to get a second hand ones or just get a new set.
Second option reminds me about my old Omega - another £30, another £40, another £15 and I ended up spending around £1000 on this car because there always something to be fixed.... >:(
I also consider replacing these with standard ones as I cant see the difference (apart from the stiffness of 17" alloys) but I already paid for this comfort ;) At least I didn't pay a lot for this car.
I think that I will do all engine maintenance (oil leaks, spark plugs, cambelt, fluids etc) and find how it behaves (extra failures, petrol consumption etc). If it deserves to be maintained properly and will not disappoint me in a big way, I will make her happy with new dampers :)
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Rear shocks only, obviously....
Yep!
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I'm pretty sure that my 1999 3.0 Elite estate has the SL shox on having had a grovel around under the car and can see a pipe and a sensor thing on the rear arm. We use the car to toe a caravan who's jockey wheel has been getting lower and lower over the last 12 months so guess the shox have had it (10 year old shox I guess). Have checked the fuse box panel and see also that there is a 20 amp fuse in slot 27, so presume this confirms it, but was wondering where the pump is to pump the shox up and wonder if anyone knows if you can tell if this is working correctly? Lastly, where best to get these items from? Thanks to anyone with the answers!
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I'm pretty sure that my 1999 3.0 Elite estate has the SL shox on having had a grovel around under the car and can see a pipe and a sensor thing on the rear arm. We use the car to toe a caravan who's jockey wheel has been getting lower and lower over the last 12 months so guess the shox have had it (10 year old shox I guess). Have checked the fuse box panel and see also that there is a 20 amp fuse in slot 27, so presume this confirms it, but was wondering where the pump is to pump the shox up and wonder if anyone knows if you can tell if this is working correctly? Lastly, where best to get these items from? Thanks to anyone with the answers!
Compressor is under the offside side of the front bumper. :y If failed I'm sure that you'd be able to get good useable 2nd hand parts from the breakers on the forum. :y
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Yep!
checked I've got the compressor and it appears to work as the car rises when switched on with the caravan on but looks like there might be a leak on one of the shocks, so guess this why it won't hold the correct level. Think I'll get new shocks as they are 10 years old now - found them online at Online Automotive for £61.41 inc VAT as below - anybody know of anywhere else might supply them, most places online sell the non-variable ones.
http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/product_details.php?search_type=P&pr_id=138009&se_pc_id=5&se_sc_id=52&se_ft_id=1&se_ma_id=73&se_mo_id=1227&se_es_id=34&se_bt_id=9&se_yr_id=50&se_pr_ref=
Thanks :)
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I think the perceived wisdom on the site is that you can only buy self levelling shocks via a VX or Opel dealer. The prices are quite high but with trade club discount come down to a reasonable level particularly if you get 10 years worth of life out of them. Mine lasted four years but we have rough roads here.
Saloon are different from estate.
The Elite has softer springing so changing to non self levelling shocks won't be as good as they are designed for use with non self levelling springs.
Varche
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Thanks Varche,
How do you claimTrade Club discount? Anyone how much these shocks cost from Vauxhall? I've found that Monroe do a replacement kit for about £200 for both sides.
Thanks
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Trade Club - do a search on this forum. There are plenty of references and info.
Ditto prices of genuine VX shocks. The subject comes up very regularly.
V
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roughly 150 a pair on trade club.(Tc link below.) 300 retail.
The monroe shocks you mention are said to be independent of the cars level system as i understand it. ie you have to pump them up yourself and are not automatic!
The link above does not seem to show a self level item?!?