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[chrisgixer]

Stumbled access this pic the other day. On a gallery thread by Paul K.

Hope he doesn't mind me pinching it copy and paste style, but I thought it was a bit if an eye opener tbh. I've seen oil leaks from sl shocks, and the severe rust around the shock body under the bladders, common sense suggested that 2+2 should go together and mean the oil was leaking from the rusted shock body and if left long enough the thing would snap off.

But I had trouble believing the metal was so thin, and didn't quite believe it. WRONGGGG!

Here's the proof. But how to stop it..?

[symes]

That's what happens when accountants run the motor industry---cheaper metal(thinner) so lowers price of vehicle or increases profit  that's why modern cars wont last and 99% characterless bland/fugly devices
I got a pair of consul shocks here made in 1960 and they still work/leak free Vauxhall never was or will be that good thats why not many old ones around mate my rover lives outside 24/7-archs/body no rust(47yrs) miggy 13-rust in arches doors and bumpers would too but they're plastic

[Rods2]

I did wonder if it was worth painting mine when I replaced them, but I didn't bother. Now would you use underseal or more coats of enamel paint?

[SMD]

Mine failed last month. So quite so dramatically though. The car was bouncing all over the place

[chrisgixer]

I did wonder if it was worth painting mine when I replaced them, but I didn't bother. Now would you use underseal or more coats of enamel paint?

Can't use oil or petrol chemical based stuff as it might well eat the bladders, although they seem to last on failed shocks ok. Although anything sticky will attract dust and stones under the bladders too.

So that leaves painting IMO. Under seal stays sticky I thought...?

Hammerite? But how to get the bladders off or out the way...?

I've got an old pair in the garage, I might do an autopsy, see what's what.

[Mr.OmegaMan]

Few layers of paint and a coat of Silicone on new ones before fitting maybe 

[kevinp58]

heres mine too.    http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=112995.msg1424701#msg1424701

[jonny2112]

Mine failed last month. So quite so dramatically though. The car was bouncing all over the place

Mine's started this now too. At first thought it was the extra weight of the gas tank that I wasn't used to, but convinced now it's the shocks. Must get the B4s fitted.

[Andy H]

I can't see paint lasting TBH but a thicker coating might last longer than the factory finish. I think the problem is that salt and grit gets under the bladder and turns into a corrosive grinding paste that roughs up the surface every time the car is driven and then gets held in place as a warm wet poltice until the next drive

I did wonder about wrapping the steel tube with PVC tape

[VXL V6]

Take those horrid self levellers off and fit B4's 

[jonny2112]

Take those horrid self levellers off and fit B4's 

Looking forward to seeing the difference 
Mot is next month so may have to get them done rather than do them myself.

[chrisgixer]

Take those horrid self levellers off and fit B4's 

I have, as its a saloon. But there have been times when I've seriously considered re fitting them, carrying heavy loads etc.


Plus Estate owners won't be too keen to drop sl. I know I wouldn't if I had one.

[chrisgixer]

Which, come to think if it, was why I/we/whoever it was can't remember, where asking pedders about air bags that fit in the springs. Best of both worlds then. Fit B4's or shocks of your choice, with sport springs or whatever you fancy AND have a self levelling option if carrying loads.

Sadly Pedders refused to import any without cash up front, and I wouldn't pay without knowing they would work. They are £200 plus too though:( . Iirc.

Bit short sited on pedders behalf I thought, ESP seeing as they could fit a few models, lc as well. I hoped they'd get a set in and try them as they did with polly donuts. But no...

[chrisgixer]

Cliffo B has a set if mad cats spring air bags in his.

But again, I couldn't get any sense out of management, as they're not an official approved fit.

[kevinp58]

When I got my secondhand set from albitz, they were in very good condition, so before I fitted them, I extended them out and put some copper grease on the tube, that should give some good protection.