Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[tino]

hello, just got a quick question about changing shocks.

I'm just about to change all 4 shocks on a 51-plate Omega and I was wondering what's involved and how long it normally takes? 

Thanks,
Tino. 

[feeutfo]

swapping the parts is easy enough, but you'll need spring compressors and pay special attention to setting the camber angle ar the front. Pre measure the gap from wheel rim to shock body is one way to do it, and replicate on reassembly. Then get it set up correctly at the likes of wheels in motion.

[tino]

Can the camber be set by a man at the wheel alignment place while the tracking is sorted or is it very difficult to do it quickly? 

[hoofing it]

The rear is the easy to do you don't realy need spring compressors I use a small bottle jack once the shocker is unbolted to push down the axle.
the front you will need spring compressors and be very very careful if this is your first time doing this you must compress the coil before you take the top cap off

[Andyb]

dont use these people mate they dont know what there doing and you will be wasting ££££££
when i first got my car i had the alignment done at a local dealer  the tyres lasted about 6 months
went to wim long drive but worth it in the end  18 months later no signs of wear on any tyre they still look new
if you update your profile someone close may be able to help
Andy

[feeutfo]

Can the camber be set by a man at the wheel alignment place while the tracking is sorted or is it very difficult to do it quickly? 

its important to understand the the differant levels of set up needed for various vehichles. Most small cars only need or have tracking adjustment. So this basic adjustment can be done by most small tyre fitting companys. However the Omega is not a small car and is very sensative to camber and tracking settings. With this in mind clearly your normal run of the mill tyre fitter is not equiped to set it up correctly, more than likely they'll make an arse of it tbh.

So as mentioned, visit Wheels in motion, either on the web in person or ring them for a chat on the subject and get an idea of whats involved. You need full geomotric set up on a hawk eye rig or similar. Camber caster and toe can be set at the front and toe on the rear as part of the complete set up.

Merely setting toe(tracking) on its own is a complete waste of time and money as it needs to work in conjunction with the othet settings.

So as said, set the camber as best you can to save your tyres from wareing too much until you can the car to a set up bay. hth

ps helps to include your rough location in your profile, we can then direct you to any services you may ask about. Wheels in motion are in Chesham.

[tino]

Fine, advice RE wheel alignment accepted. 

I run quite a large fleet of ancient Saab 900's and 99's - love those cars.  They also have a fully adjustable setup.  The guy I use isn't the nearest.  I go past many other tyre shops specially to go and see Mark at WheelPower in Brockley.  His wheel alignment setup is very high tech and he does my camber and caster settings according to the specifications I give him.  I completely trust him to get it right.  I've used other places like Kwik Fit and another independent and in both cases they made a hash of my setup.  One of my cars is a track car, so very sensitive to correct setup.




Note the checquer boards attached to the wheels.  They match up with the magic eyes mounted on the wall above the car.  Since this photo was taken he's further updated the equipment and purchased a more precise ramp for the car to stand on while the readings are done.  The measurement can be plotted to within hundredths of a degree.