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[2.5v6]

I'm changing the self levelling on my elite to standard shocks and springs...any advice on brands I should buy??

[Andy B]

I'm changing the self levelling on my elite to standard shocks and springs... ..

why? 

[2.5v6]

Mot due soon, it's just to get her through, going to put self levelling back on once the sensors are checked as when got a new compressor it came on for 3 secs then cut off, powered from battery is fine so guessing one of the levelling sensors is kaput had a mess around with it nothing...oh prob need some new self levelling shocks so need to save for them too lol

[Andy B]

Oh!  If it's just to pass an MOT, I'd be inclined to leave the springs that are on ... I know that by rights they'd be the wrong springs, but your tester won't be checking that, only that they're intact.

[Doctor Gollum]

Mot due soon, it's just to get her through, going to put self levelling back on once the sensors are checked as when got a new compressor it came on for 3 secs then cut off, powered from battery is fine so guessing one of the levelling sensors is kaput had a mess around with it nothing...oh prob need some new self levelling shocks so need to save for them too lol

Three seconds or so upon ignition on is normal if the shocks are working

[2.5v6]

It was all connected but nothing happened with weight in the back, I got underneath and played with the 2 sensors and the rear sub frame....nothing, shocks are dry no leakage showing are we saying the shocks are gone for sure? Any way of testing the shocks whist off the car i.e. Home made pressure tester??

[Doctor Gollum]

How much weight?

You can fiddle with the sensor, it's only one and attached to the right hand trailing arm.

The other two on the nearside are for headlight levelling

Best done with the car on a four post lift as if you get it wrong you will crush yourself to death

[Doctor Gollum]

Just to be clear, that's squished like a jelly baby in a vice.

Safest way to check, is car on the level, front wheels chocked and engine running.

1. Empty the boot of everything.
2. Chock the FRONT wheels.
3. Start the engine and leave idling.
4. Measure the height of the rear wheel arches where they meet the corner of the rear doors.
5. Fill the boot with as much heavy stuff as you can... Ten paving slabs/bags of compost etc.
6. Wait five mins.
7. Re measure. Should be the same give or take 10%

[cam.in.head]

It was all connected but nothing happened with weight in the back, I got underneath and played with the 2 sensors and the rear sub frame....nothing, shocks are dry no leakage showing are we saying the shocks are gone for sure? Any way of testing the shocks whist off the car i.e. Home made pressure tester??

.          the actual shock absorbers can fail in one 3 ways assuming not bent due to accident and mounting bushes ok.1 they can get weaker with age due to internal wear.2 they can leak oil due to seal or rust and 3 the 'sock' for want of a better word around the shock can leak air.if they are pressured up with air it will be fairly obvious by squeezing them.the original ones on my mk2 carlton only just failed 3 years ago .one was leaking oil near the bottom after 28 years but the sysem was still holding air ok.

[2.5v6]

Had 2 ppl sat in boot waiting 2 mins nothing happened...I'll try loading more stuff tonight n see what's happens

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Also check the pipework and connectors as you could have an air leak somewhere before it gets to the shocks. Easiest way to tell if system is working is to raise and lower the sensor arm, and the shocks should move accordingly. Be careful though as you don't want the weight of the car crushing your arm or similar.

[Doctor Gollum]

Had 2 ppl sat in boot waiting 2 mins nothing happened...I'll try loading more stuff tonight n see what's happens

Did you bother measuring?

[2.5v6]

I will do tonight, when tested last time I didn't bother, the compressor is supposed to kick in 20 secs or so if I'm correct?
So the plan it tonight as what Doctor Gollum said

[annihilator]

There is only one sensor for self-levelling on the osr the smaller nsr is for hid headlamps. To test it just pop off the little link arm and move it up and down with the ignition on.
John.

[Doctor Gollum]

There is only one sensor for self-levelling on the osr the smaller nsr is for hid headlamps. To test it just pop off the little link arm and move it up and down with the ignition on position 2.
John.

Previously covered, and edited for clarity