Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: duggs on 30 January 2011, 17:29:14

Title: Air Shocks !
Post by: duggs on 30 January 2011, 17:29:14
Followed the "test" to check my rear air shocks today.

Reason being that she seems to sit a bit low on the rear passenger side.

Moved the "arm" up with the engine running and sure enough both shocks slowly moved up. Twas interesting to watch BUT after a while the offending shock started to hiss, especially as it got to it's highest elevation. Once there, after about 1 min. it stopped hissing and remained there.

Lowed and raised her again and after a "feel around" as she rose after a while, I found the air was escaping from the large rubber section at the bottom of the main shock body.

I assume  it's not worth repairing or can't be.

Any ideas or has anyone got a spare ?
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Lazydocker on 30 January 2011, 18:03:42
I've got a leaky air shock too... Need to get a new pair myself really but justifying the £150 odd (IIRCC) is a little hard :(
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Seth on 30 January 2011, 18:39:23
Why not consider these?:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA-SALOON-AIR-SHOCK-ABSORBER-KIT-NEW-/230232503729?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item359aed35b1#ht_1175wt_815

Have fitted 'em on all three of our Omegas with great success!
 :y
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: duggs on 30 January 2011, 18:49:50
£ 209.00 is sadly why I can't consider them !
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Boditza on 30 January 2011, 19:04:02
genuine gm with trade card are cheaper than those ugly monroes
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Lazydocker on 30 January 2011, 22:05:33
Quote
£ 209.00 is sadly why I can't consider them !

And more expensive than GM because your car already has a pump etc :y :y

Duggs... If you have a chat with andyc at Drive he'll give you the best price he can. They're easy enough to fit :y :y
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Varche on 30 January 2011, 22:45:44
Or you could do like I and others have done and fit standard shockers and pull the fuse on the self levelling.

I got some Bilstein B4's from balance motorsport.
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Lazydocker on 30 January 2011, 22:58:43
Quote
Or you could do like I and others have done and fit standard shockers and pull the fuse on the self levelling.

I got some Bilstein B4's from balance motorsport.

I like the S/L though... Handy for when I'm pulling the 'van, especially with the added weight of the LPG tank too. :y :y

I used to end up with a lot of heavy stuff in the car for some charity work I did but I've given that up now so perhaps I could go to standard shocks :-/ :-/

Mind you... The towing thing ^^^ ::) :-/
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: duggs on 30 January 2011, 23:26:43
Hmmmmmmmm !   Is the ride the same ?

I don't tow anything and rarely have tons of luggage in the boot or full load of passengers.

Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: feeutfo on 31 January 2011, 00:17:33
I think the Monroes are a good bet for cars with non self levelling, ie not elite. Can't see them being of use to Elite owners tbh. ESP given tc prices and the automatic standard set up?

However I suspect self levelling is not the best in the damping dept. They seem to struggle to work independently and transmit a role around the dif sensation to the back. I can't help but wonder if the air can't transfer from side to side quickly enough when one side hits a bump. It's like it needs a bigger diameter air line to link the two shocks.... :-/

Can't beat the self levelling aspect though, ESP for LPG'ers and pikeys towers.
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: feeutfo on 31 January 2011, 00:22:02
Also mine will be getting b4's on the front soon, with irmscher springs all round. Let's hope all that works half decently with sl. :-/
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Martin_1962 on 31 January 2011, 10:17:05
I have Monroes and they are fantastic for towing.

However I don't think they are the best option as shocks I think the KYBs I took off were better for handling
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: MutantCav on 31 January 2011, 12:32:19
I'm breaking an elite with nicely working genuine self levelling shocks...if anyone wants the pair for £80 delivered including the rest of the gubbins as spare parts then let me know :y
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: duggs on 31 January 2011, 14:48:48
I've had a price to supply and fit 2 new standard rear shocks (uni-part) for £100.00 all in.

Using trade card VX quoted me £88.00 for a single genuine air shock and close to £100 for two VX standard shocks. Supply only basis.

The working air shock looks like it's on its last legs also so am tempted to have the two Uni-parts fitted.

Any thoughts please ?
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Lazydocker on 31 January 2011, 15:06:31
Just make sure that the pump is disconnected/isolated and the pipes are secured
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: duggs on 31 January 2011, 15:15:25
Will do Paul...thank you.

Read somewhere that "fuse 27" covers the pump.In all honesty do you think you'd know the difference between the air shocks and standard.

Having laid underneath the car and watched them rise and fall, they move very slowly, certainly not enough to bounce up and down with the bumps of the road.

Seems to me (perhaps obvious) that all omega air shocks do is "self level" the car as it detects the arse end  coming down for one reason or the other. On a day to day, moment to moment basis as you're driving along they don't make any difference to the ride.
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: Varche on 31 January 2011, 16:30:47
Quote
I've had a price to supply and fit 2 new standard rear shocks (uni-part) for £100.00 all in.

Using trade card VX quoted me £88.00 for a single genuine air shock and close to £100 for two VX standard shocks. Supply only basis.

The working air shock looks like it's on its last legs also so am tempted to have the two Uni-parts fitted.

Any thoughts please ?

Best to always replace shockers in pairs. I went for the Bilsteins as they are cheaper than std shocks and I believe they are also upated. I fitted a pair of spring assisters too as I tow a lot and also carry a lot in the boot. You could maybe just fit the spring assisters the once or twice a year you go caravanning.
Title: Re: Air Shocks !
Post by: duggs on 31 January 2011, 16:53:02
Yep will replace both at the same time.