Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Mark S on 12 July 2010, 08:54:14

Title: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Mark S on 12 July 2010, 08:54:14
Folks,

In the process of replacing a leaking damper on my Elite Estate. Followed the excellent instructions in the maintenance section :) But could I get the bottom of the shock off the pivot - No way :( In the end took an angle grinder to it and cut the damper off. The ruber bush seems to bonded on to the pivot at the bottom, so I have had to cut this off with a knife in order to be able to get a new one on. Are they always this difficult to remove and is the rubber bush bonded or glued on?

Any wisdom gratefully received!

Mark S.
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Entwood on 12 July 2010, 09:00:11
One of mine was in extremely tight, took a pry bar and a thwack with a lump hammer to shift it !!! Should just be a "press fit"... but the thing is done up to 110 N/m .. so its in there pretty tight !!
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: TheBoy on 12 July 2010, 09:03:13
Never seen that before.  Sometimes take a bit of persuading, but nothing untoward...


You imply you are only changing one of the shocks :o, I hope that is not the case - all suspension parts should be replaced in pairs :y
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 July 2010, 09:19:46
The trick is to insert a bar inside the tube that is in the centre of teh rubber section.....now hit this at 90 degrees to the tube inorder to 'un-stick' it.

It will then come out.
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Cliffo B on 12 July 2010, 09:36:47
Thats it!!!! tried for ages did that and it worked +wiggle shock make sure your solid on axle stands though :y
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Mark S on 12 July 2010, 09:39:00
Just phoned Vauxhall and was told that the bush is part of the shocker and is not supplied seperately. Now that is a major problem as the shocks I have bought don't have bushes at the bottom. Oh dear me!!  :'(

Quote
Folks,

In the process of replacing a leaking damper on my Elite Estate. Followed the excellent instructions in the maintenance section :) But could I get the bottom of the shock off the pivot - No way :( In the end took an angle grinder to it and cut the damper off. The ruber bush seems to bonded on to the pivot at the bottom, so I have had to cut this off with a knife in order to be able to get a new one on. Are they always this difficult to remove and is the rubber bush bonded or glued on?

Any wisdom gratefully received!

Mark S.
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Cliffo B on 12 July 2010, 09:41:33
oops sorry just remembered you've cut the shock off
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Cliffo B on 12 July 2010, 10:05:58
??? can't follow you the only shocks that will work on a elite are the proper VX ones that have a built in air sac for the self leveling system unless someone has fitted after market std shocks or as an omega model without self level spec
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 July 2010, 10:07:50
Quote
Just phoned Vauxhall and was told that the bush is part of the shocker and is not supplied seperately. Now that is a major problem as the shocks I have bought don't have bushes at the bottom. Oh dear me!!  :'(

Quote
Folks,

In the process of replacing a leaking damper on my Elite Estate. Followed the excellent instructions in the maintenance section :) But could I get the bottom of the shock off the pivot - No way :( In the end took an angle grinder to it and cut the damper off. The ruber bush seems to bonded on to the pivot at the bottom, so I have had to cut this off with a knife in order to be able to get a new one on. Are they always this difficult to remove and is the rubber bush bonded or glued on?

Any wisdom gratefully received!

Mark S.

Are you sure they are Omega shocks?

Any part number/make details?
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Mark S on 12 July 2010, 10:28:34
The ones that were on the car were definitely genuine GM  and the correct spec. The ones I have bought look the same but no rubber bushes at the bottom. I just thought I'd buy new ones from VX - but they don't supply the bushes seperately. Maybe they do for other shocks, and perhaps they would fit?

Looks like I might need to get back to the guy that sold them to me.

At the moment I am defintely stuck.

Mark S.
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Entwood on 12 July 2010, 10:32:01
Mark .. Whats your location ??
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 July 2010, 10:52:56
Quote
The ones that were on the car were definitely genuine GM  and the correct spec. The ones I have bought look the same but no rubber bushes at the bottom. I just thought I'd buy new ones from VX - but they don't supply the bushes seperately. Maybe they do for other shocks, and perhaps they would fit?

Looks like I might need to get back to the guy that sold them to me.

At the moment I am defintely stuck.

Mark S.

You are as all Omega rear shocks have a bonded lower bush.....hence why it is not available seperately.

Are the parts you have new or used....if new, let us know the part number and make so we can look them up
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Mark S on 12 July 2010, 10:59:05
The parts are used - I think I need to contact the guy that sold them to me and see whether he has a solution.

I am based in Telford.

Thanks for the help so far. It at least makes me feel better.
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 July 2010, 11:02:48
In which case who ever removed the used parts suffered the same issues you did.....and hence the rubebrs were pulled from the shocks.

There little more than a hood ornament without them
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Entwood on 12 July 2010, 11:35:32
I'm making some assumptions here ... but it's an Elite .. so self levelling ??

Why use second hand suspension parts ?? I know the "real" ones are not cheap ..  but suspension, steering, brakes, tyres are the 4 things that keep you alive ... and I would never used "pre-owned" for any of them... and always change in pairs.

New Elite (saloon) shockers are £116 each + VAT = £272:60 ... a not inconsiderable sum .. but with an ABS Trade card that came down to £173.85.. a saving of £100 on new ... still a lot of dosh .. but for genuine .. IMHO its worth it as my life depends on it !!

just my views .. nowt else . :(
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 July 2010, 11:40:44
But if an owner does not have that cash to spend today, then even a second hand working part is much safer than a failed one.   :y
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Entwood on 12 July 2010, 11:47:31
Quote
But if an owner does not have that cash to spend today, then even a second hand working part is much safer than a failed one.   :y

Perhaps .. if the "second hand working" are changed as a pair and both are working correctly ... but just one ... is it "in balance" against the other, if you get my drift ... and this one sounds like it may have been "butchered" off .. which would give me little confidence ... to be honest ... but then I'm a coward .... :(
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Mark S on 12 July 2010, 12:00:44
Sure - I take the point. However they were from a low mileage car, so I thought as long as they seemed sound they would be Ok, especially as they don't have any springs etc in them. Looks like one is not that clever anyway, so that won't be much good. I think my next course of action is to contact the guy that sold them to me.
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Dishevelled Den on 12 July 2010, 12:02:55
Quote
Quote
But if an owner does not have that cash to spend today, then even a second hand working part is much safer than a failed one.   :y

Perhaps .. if the "second hand working" are changed as a pair and both are working correctly ... but just one ... is it "in balance" against the other, if you get my drift ... and this one sounds like it may have been "butchered" off .. which would give me little confidence ... to be honest ... but then I'm a coward .... :(



Although Mark has a valid point - some people may struggle to raise the money required for new parts - I would walk with you on this one E.  I would never have the confidence to use parts of doubtful provenance. (especially in this critical application)
Title: Re: Rear shock replacement - bush bonded on??
Post by: Sixstring on 12 July 2010, 12:09:22
I know i'm an old fart, but my bloke I was apprenticed to ALWAYS told me that anything on an axle from brakes to suspension, to bearings MUST always be changed together on both sides, and s/h parts too must be applied in pairs.
he always reckoned "balance" was affected if only one side done.

Just a comment, dunno if its really the case, but he swore by it.