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Author Topic: Self leveling rear shocks  (Read 4660 times)

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mantamania

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Self leveling rear shocks
« on: 24 March 2019, 16:20:42 »

I have been informed by main dealers that the self leveling shocks have been discontinued by Vauxhall. After quite a search on Internet I have found they are available in USA and Norway but at a high price, £380 is the cheapest from Norway. I am contemplating replacing them with standard ones. Bilstein said they can supply me with a pair of B4 shocks at a discount £93 delivered. Those of you that have already done this, have you had any problems, can you disable the compressor by removing a relay or fuse. Thanks
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amba

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #1 on: 24 March 2019, 16:51:30 »

Replaced mine about 3 years ago with B4,s although very shortly after fitting them I replaced them with Sachs as found the B4,s quite harsh although sure I had become "brain blocked " to the feel of self levelling which have a much floatier ride.

You will need to also fit new rear springs if you currently have a full self levelling system fitted as they wont hold the cars weight and will end up with a very bad handling car .Factor that cost also .

You can disable the air compressor by either removing a fuse although it will disable the rear 12 volt socket,so preferred method is pulling the pumps relay.It is a black relay sited in the fuse box area although my brain cells cannot remember which at present so others will hopefully advise if I haven't remembered later.
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Doctor Gollum

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #2 on: 24 March 2019, 17:08:52 »

If your self levelling is working, try and remove the complete system as it may have a value.

1. Sensor on right hand trailing arm plus fittings. Connector is under rear seat base, and might be hidden by sound deadening panel.
2. Compressor in front of right front wheel, plus plug and loom tail if you remove the relay. Insulate cut wires individually and carefully regardless.
3. Air line to rear axle T piece plus lines to shocks.

The system is universal regardless if saloon or estate :y
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Doctor Gollum

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amba

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #5 on: 24 March 2019, 22:31:35 »

Saloon and estate have different fittings ,so cant tell from OPs profile of model other than Elite
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Doctor Gollum

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #6 on: 25 March 2019, 04:59:07 »

Saloon and estate have different fittings ,so cant tell from OPs profile of model other than Elite
I mean the airline fittings on the shocks :y
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MonzaGSE

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #7 on: 25 March 2019, 05:22:37 »

I’ve used the Monroes in the eBay link on an estate with self levelling. Works great but as doc Gollum says needs a small modification to the airlines. Cant remember exactly since its been years since ive fitted them, (still works), but i believe that i just cut of the original connector on one side to join the Omegas air line to the shock. On the other side the original air line was a little to short so i believe i used parts of the lines from the monroe kit and joined up with the omega lines at the t-piece over the rear axle.
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mantamania

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #8 on: 25 March 2019, 17:48:46 »

Thanks for the advice. I will replace them with standard shocks, i replaced the springs 2 years ago with standard springs so they are ok to handle the shocks.  It is a shame that the new owners of Vauxhall have decided to delete a lot of parts for the older vehicles. My local dealer said it is has been a nightmare for them, telling customers the parts are no longer available.   
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Nick W

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #9 on: 25 March 2019, 17:54:58 »

Thanks for the advice. I will replace them with standard shocks, i replaced the springs 2 years ago with standard springs so they are ok to handle the shocks.  It is a shame that the new owners of Vauxhall have decided to delete a lot of parts for the older vehicles. My local dealer said it is has been a nightmare for them, telling customers the parts are no longer available.


It's nothing that Vauxhall wouldn't have/weren't already doing. There wouldn't have been a lot of this sort of part in the system anyway. We're talking about cars that are at least 16 years old and a low survival rate.


Interior trim is the first thing to go: there's lots of variations, it's rarely needed when the cars are young, and it takes a lot of space. S
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Vega

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #10 on: 25 March 2019, 19:37:35 »

I do have a pair new ones, they are spares for the time I would need them, because as you also find out the are no longer there anymore.
https://www.opelomegaportal.nl/forum/index.php?threads/nog-iets-bijzonders-met-op-aan-je-omega-gedaan.3852/page-244#post-92755
But I think I do not need them anymore in the future. Still busy with the insurance.
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Doctor Gollum

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #11 on: 25 March 2019, 20:19:40 »

That'll buff out ;)
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dave the builder

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #12 on: 25 March 2019, 21:26:20 »

That'll buff out ;)
With a polishing stick  :-\

Sorry for your loss Mr Vega  :'(
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456lbft

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #13 on: 25 March 2019, 22:37:24 »

I did get one from USA to make sure it was right, as we use them on the Lotus Carltons too. Same part number as Cadillac Catera. It was exactly the same as Omega B Elite saloon.  Not the same for the estate, which has a different length.
Works out quite expensive, but maybe better for a bigger quantity.  Let me know if anyone is interested. 
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Doctor Gollum

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« Last Edit: 25 March 2019, 23:08:30 by Doctor Gollum »
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TestOmega

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #15 on: 26 July 2019, 03:41:16 »

Doctor, are the ones from Australia the same spec as Monroe 825.

PART MOUNTING    LENGTHS UNIT PARTS
NO.   Upper Lower  Comp. Ext.      Trav.

MA825 S1 SPEC    15.000"  25.750" 10.750"

I have used the MA825 in the past on my Cadillac Catera. I have switched to Sachs fixed but would not mind going back to Self-leveling if fair price sourced. Believe it or not my car (Cadillac Catera) is only been driven 109,000 km. Body in pretty good shape too.

Thank you.
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Doctor Gollum

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #16 on: 26 July 2019, 14:12:47 »

The ones I linked to are for the estate/wagon.

You would need saloon/sedan ones for the Catera ;)
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TestOmega

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #17 on: 28 July 2019, 19:13:41 »

I believe for me the closest to the MA825 is the Australian shock Monroe MG118. The MG118 are within 1/4" of the MA825 in extended and compressed specification. I believe the mountings are correct too based on the visual. These are available on eBay below,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOLDEN-COMMODORE-VT-VX-VY-V6-V8-SEDAN-MONROE-REAR-AIR-SHOCK-ABSORBER/181122802977

EXT. L   COM. L   D. SHIELD     MOUNTINGS
                                         Top   Btm
662mm    385m       NO             S    FS
(26.1")   (15.2")

So if it helps, these may fit the Omega Saloons with self leveling too.
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Doctor Gollum

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #18 on: 28 July 2019, 19:53:00 »

Them's the ones :y

You'll probably need the upper mounting parts as they tend to take a beating ;)
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johnnydog

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #19 on: 28 July 2019, 23:16:01 »

I have been informed by main dealers that the self leveling shocks have been discontinued by Vauxhall. After quite a search on Internet I have found they are available in USA and Norway but at a high price, £380 is the cheapest from Norway. I am contemplating replacing them with standard ones. Thanks

I may have missed something in this or later posts, but are you after saloon or estate s/l shocks?
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Duke01

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #20 on: 31 July 2019, 22:34:34 »

I changed mine for Bilstein B4s aswell, coupled with Killen heavy duty springs. (Saloon with lpg tank and towbar)
Personally i think the ride is excellent...
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TestOmega

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Re: Self leveling rear shocks
« Reply #21 on: 01 August 2019, 17:29:09 »

If it helps any one with Omega Saloon, etc., there has been extensive well researched effort made by a poster on Cadillac Catera (equivalent to X30XE Omega Saloon) as follows,

https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/suspension-conversion-kit-for-catera.121726/page-3#post-1836104

I have excerpted some of the information to give you a flavour of the post,

BILSTEIN (Opel/Vauxhall)
    -Strut - B4 Gas: part # VNE-4480 (OE Replacement)
    -Shock Absorber - B4 Gas: part # BNE-2861 (OE Replacement)
    -Strut - B6 SPORT: part # VE3-4425 (Firm)
    -Shock Absorber - B6 SPORT: part # B46-2260 (Firm)
    -Strut - B8 SPRINT: part # VE3-4426 (Firm/Lowered)
    -Shock Absorber - B6 SPORT: part # B46-2258 (Firm/Lowered)
    -Boot & Bumpstop: part # ASP-C245 (front)
       
KYB GR2:
    -Strut: # 334903
    -Strut Mount: part # SM5285
    -Shock Mount: part # SM5287
    -Strut Boot & Bumpstop: part # SB101
   
MONROE
    -SENSATRAC Rear: part # 5786

ACDELCO
    - 560227   Shock Absorber
    - Alternate Monroe MA825

Cheers
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