Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: SuffolkMan on 13 May 2018, 10:58:05
-
Omega 3.2 Elite 2003, 67000 miles: at recent MOT my local garage mentioned that the rear shocks will probably not pass next year. They said that the shocks are 'electric ones' and that they don't know what the electric connection is for but they are now no longer available. They suggested replacing with standard parts. The shocks do have what looks like an electrical connection right at the top, although it is quite rigid and could also be a thin hydraulic pipe.
Does anyone know what 'electric shocks' do, whether they are available or can be refurbished or whether it is ok to replace with currently available parts?
-
As yours is an Elite it'll have self levelling rear suspension I believe.Do your shocks have a pipe going to them?there's an electric pump[at the front of the car somewhere]which feeds air[?] to them to level the car depending on weight-rear passengers/boot full of stuff etc.-if these are available I understand they can be expensive.As far as I'm aware you can change these to ordinary shocks[you'd have to disconnect the pump to stop it from keeping running]but you'd also have to change the rear springs at the same time as the self levelling type are too soft when ordinary shocks are fitted.
-
They're air shocks, not electric.
They are Vauxhall only, and expensive. But replacing them with standard shocks and the necessary stiffer springs costs about the same, and is a lot more work.
-
If you can find a pair for sale they are different from Saloon to Estate so be aware .
Due to N/A I replaced both mine with Boge shocks and Std Omega rear springs as they are readily available.Shocks were around £60 the pair and springs £80 the pair so not alot different than 1 OEM air shock at prices when VX stocked them
-
I believe (although I could be wrong) that Monroe air shocks will work but you'll need to make an adapter to fit the pipe connection.
-
They're air shocks, not electric.
They are Vauxhall only, and expensive. But replacing them with standard shocks and the necessary stiffer springs costs about the same, and is a lot more work.
If you think OE self levelling shockers for an Omega are expensive, try my R Class rear shockers. Pattern were £200 each :'( Merc wanted about £400 each :o
-
They said that the shocks are 'electric ones' and that they don't know what the electric connection is for but they are now no longer available. They suggested replacing with standard parts.
The garage does not know what the connector is for? I’d stop using this garage!
I think it’s shocking a garage would class the shocks as electric and not know what the loom connector is for.
I’ve got standard shocks and springs on my 3.2 which previously had self levelling. I don’t miss it
-
You clearly have never used working self levelling suspension then...
-
Many thanks for all the replies so far, I really appreciate the help and advice. The local garage took me under the ramp and showed me the 'electric shocks' but the 'wires' were very small bore rigid pipes so I didn't believe them, however they were certain! Not going back there again for sure.
Replacement isn't urgent but it is on the horizon. Does anyone know if direct replacements are available or, failing that, if reconditioning is possible? Also, if I have to use the non-levelling Omega part, will I definitely have to replace the springs (that would be really annoying as a year ago - previous MOT, that time at Main Dealer - they were replaced because one had cracked)?
-
Do you know what springs the main dealer used[this might show on the invoice for the work]? My understanding is you can fit any spring with the air shocks,but if fitting standard shocks the springs must be changed as the ones factory fitted with self levelling suspension are too soft to cope with none air shocks[hope this is making sense] I would doubt the air shocks can be refurbished but can't say for definite.
-
nice to hear of another Omega in Ipswich ,there's not many in Suffolk :y
-
Stupid question and I may of missed it but why do they need replacing? Why will they not pass the next MOT?
If the garage got the type of shock absorber wrong, maybe they did not understand the shock absorber itself and it’s abilities/limitations and assumed?
-
Stupid question and I may of missed it but why do they need replacing? Why will they not pass the next MOT?
If the garage got the type of shock absorber wrong, maybe they did not understand the shock absorber itself and it’s abilities/limitations and assumed?
The air shocks are just normal shocks with a small air bag wrapped around them. So they're subject to all the failures that normal ones are, plus problems with the bag.
-
Stupid question and I may of missed it but why do they need replacing? Why will they not pass the next MOT?
If the garage got the type of shock absorber wrong, maybe they did not understand the shock absorber itself and it’s abilities/limitations and assumed?
The air shocks are just normal shocks with a small air bag wrapped around them. So they're subject to all the failures that normal ones are, plus problems with the bag.
Get all that, but my point is that there may be nothing wrong with what he has already and the garage is assuming a fault appearing when it may be the natural condition for the shocks?
-
Good question: one is moist along its length with a very very thin deposit of oil...
-
it sounds like the actual lower part of the shock is actually pinholed then.if you wipe it off with a thinners soaked rag you may see where its coming from.not repairable thou if it is.
someone on here may have some or its like they suggest ,switch back to std springs and fit std shocks of your choice.sooner rather than later because you dont want it to start spraying oil onto thr exhaust !
-
In view of the very dubious nature of the garage that you used, may I recommend Serek (SOSautomotive), a member here and an excellent, thoroughly competent engineer. He has a garage in Huntingdon, about 75 miles from you, and well worth the journey. Talk to him; he will at the very least give you good advice and may even have parts to help you. He is very busy, so be patient if you telephone!
Ron.
-
it sounds like the actual lower part of the shock is actually pinholed then.if you wipe it off with a thinners soaked rag you may see where its coming from.not repairable thou if it is.
someone on here may have some or its like they suggest ,switch back to std springs and fit std shocks of your choice.sooner rather than later because you dont want it to start spraying oil onto thr exhaust !
Why all the clutching at straws?
Shocks are a consumable part. Oil leaking from them only happens once they've moved beyond the stage of ought to be replaced into they needed to be replaced sometime ago. One of the problems with wornout shocks is they deteriorate so gradually that you don't notice that it's happening. Somebody else driving the car is often the catalyst for changing them; I'm sure we've all driven cars with faults that were immediately obvious, but the regular driver had trained themselves to ignore them. That's why inspections of critical equipment are never done by the user.
-
Thanks again everyone for your advice.
Just to reply to Nick: I'm actually well aware of the dangers of worn shocks but you made a very good point about the driver becoming used to the changing performance. My concern is to try to return the car to the original spec, with either new or repaired parts if possible, rather than reverting to the standard non-leveling shocks if I can and I was very disappointed to find that new parts are no longer available, hence my enquiries.
-
Seek and ye shall find...
Starter for 10...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Spring-to-Coil-Spring-Conversion-Kit-Rear-Westar-fits-97-01-Cadillac-Catera-/163044799197?_ul=GB
-
nice to hear of another Omega in Ipswich ,there's not many in Suffolk :y
Mine often goes for a little jaunt there, whenever I have to go to Martlesham Heath.
I try not to stay long enough for the skin to form between my digits ;)
-
I dumped two self levelling shocks at the weekend, no idea if they worked as the pump hasn't been running, mind you the shocks were covered in rust so I doubt they were up to much.
-
Better value @ $346.23 on Amazon.com? (https://www.amazon.com/Westar-Industries-Spring-Conversion-CK-7623/dp/B007ZRZC4U) Add shipping to the UK, customs clearance and VAT. And you'll be looking at a ballpark £350-£400?
-
TB if i knew you visited Suffolk i would have alerted the border control authorities ;) Also i'm guessing the Martlesham visit is to the police station to sign in :D
-
TB if i knew you visited Suffolk i would have alerted the border control authorities ;) Also i'm guessing the Martlesham visit is to the police station to sign in :D
Nope, that silly technology campus, where half of that part of Suffolk seem to work...
-
Ah yes , the one that cogs the A12 around teatime, im about a mile from there down Foxhall road :)
-
Ah yes , the one that cogs the A12 around teatime, im about a mile from there down Foxhall road :)
Yup, that'll be the one. Poxy place :D