Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: denisaok on 17 April 2008, 22:27:18

Title: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: denisaok on 17 April 2008, 22:27:18
Help
I need to change my Shock Absorbers as they are both leaking,i have the Self Levelling type fitted i have seen post that say that i can fit the Standard Rear Shocks

What the difference between the two types I.e what do they do different
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: Entwood on 17 April 2008, 22:32:49
Quote
Help
I need to change my Shock Absorbers as they are both leaking,i have the Self Levelling type fitted i have seen post that say that i can fit the Standard Rear Shocks

What the difference between the two types I.e what do they do different


Self levelling ones adjust the level ... normal ones don't ??  :)

On a more serious note ....  I believe the "damping rate" is the same for both, so unless you fit different specification the ride will be the same, but it might "feel" different due to a variable height depending on the load with non-self leveling.

I'm probably wrong.. if so an expert will pass by shortly and correct me !!  :)
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: TheBoy on 17 April 2008, 22:34:39
Quote
Quote
Help
I need to change my Shock Absorbers as they are both leaking,i have the Self Levelling type fitted i have seen post that say that i can fit the Standard Rear Shocks

What the difference between the two types I.e what do they do different


Self levelling ones adjust the level ... normal ones don't ??  :)

On a more serious note ....  I believe the "damping rate" is the same for both, so unless you fit different specification the ride will be the same, but it might "feel" different due to a variable height depending on the load with non-self leveling.

I'm probably wrong.. if so an expert will pass by shortly and correct me !!  :)
bang on :y
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: denisaok on 17 April 2008, 22:41:03
Thanks for the reply i think i understand do you mean the Self levelling Shock Absorber keep the same level no matter what the load
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: Entwood on 17 April 2008, 23:01:54
Quote
Thanks for the reply i think i understand do you mean the Self levelling Shock Absorber keep the same level no matter what the load

Exactly correct. If the load in the boot (or on a towbar) increases the back end lowers, this is picked up by a sensor on the rear suspension, an air pump runs and inflates the shock absorber back to the original height - hence "self levelling suspension" ... :)
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: CaptainZok on 17 April 2008, 23:22:05
Was discussing this with my mate the mot tester the other day.
His opinion was that the springs on the self levelling setup are softer than standard so if non leveling shocks are fitted I would imagine the car will sit lower than normal due to the lack of air assist.
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: Entwood on 17 April 2008, 23:28:24
I've just checked the EPC and it does list different springs for self-levelling/ normal systems so you could well be correct

 :y :y
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: CaptainZok on 17 April 2008, 23:31:07
Quote
I've just checked the EPC and it does list different springs for self-levelling/ normal systems so you could well be correct

 :y :y
Tell me about it I need a pair for mine at £189 + vat at the moment unless I can find em cheaper.
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: denisaok on 17 April 2008, 23:32:45
Thanks i think ill just get the Standard ones as i dont carry much load in the back
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: CaptainZok on 17 April 2008, 23:35:00
Quote
Thanks i think ill just get the Standard ones as i dont carry much load in the back
Self levellers will cost you £65 + vat each if you can get them on TC.
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: denisaok on 17 April 2008, 23:51:21
After reading the above Self levelling ones seem the cheaper option than to change springs & Shock Absorbers think ill go down route
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: Andy B on 17 April 2008, 23:54:51
Quote
After reading the above Self levelling ones seem the cheaper option than to change springs & Shock Absorbers think ill go down route
You know it makes sense!  ;)  :y
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: Entwood on 17 April 2008, 23:57:42
If you don't have a TC... drop a PM to andyc .. he can do some good prices ...  :)

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?action=viewprofile;username=andyc
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: DC on 18 April 2008, 20:56:04
just wandering. can you buy self leveling shocks anywhere else but VX
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: Ironingboard on 18 April 2008, 21:39:32
is it not sachs that makes the vx ones? You could try eurocarparts they normally deal with sachs and lemforder stuff. Get them to see if have them, if not try

http://www.sachs-boge.co.uk/

They have an online catalogue, get the part numbers and see if euro car parts can order them for you.
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: DC on 18 April 2008, 21:45:54
dont really need them yet but recently replaced front ones and its good to know
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: DC on 18 April 2008, 22:07:58
had a look at sachs-boge site. very usefull. thanks
Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: Nextgen on 19 April 2008, 10:03:02
I paid the penny, and got genuine self levelers from Vx main dealer.... With a trade club card = 63 +vat each + new fitting kit
 Worth every blooming penny - fitted first time, went on easily, and work like a dream....

Title: Re: Shock Absorbers whats the Difference
Post by: Steve1077 on 19 April 2008, 12:07:26
Changed my self levellers for standard ones, £40 a pair, I never needed the self levelling anyway, seems to handle the same, glad to say its an easy job, cant say that often on the Omega, lol, I have a bag of bits waiting to do a thermostat change, one VX dealer wanted £65 for the inlet manifold gaskets, no thanks, got them online for £16, it says genuine, we will see, can you ever get non genuine inlet manifold gaskets?