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[Shackeng]

I've had my 125K TD Estate now for 16 years, as far as I can tell the shocks are all still OK with no leaks, of course I don't thrash it round corners like some on here (you know who you are!), but it is still a comfortable ride, so should I change them anyway, and if so why?

[The Sheriff]

If the MOT tester says they're ok, your stopping distance is fine and the ride is comfortable.....why waste your money?

If it's burning a hole in your pocket (your money, not your shock absorber), send it to me and I'll put it to good use 

[tunnie]

I'd leave them personally, I have my doubts on the quality of GM's parts of late. 8 years ago, no question, get GM. But from droplinks to exhausts, the quality is just not there.

I replaced the shocks on my 2.2 at around 135k, far as I could tell (nothing in the service history) they were orginal 

[05omegav6]

120k miles is a reasonable life expectancy for rear shocks, and 150k miles for fronts...

Change the rears for B4s, (£50ish each) and you will notice the improvement immediately 

If it has self levelling, then you only have one real option but same applies re the improvement 

[05omegav6]

That's to say that is the consistant life span of the shocks on my ragged white estate, but have changed them on a couple of Omegas at much lower mileages... so anything from 70k+ isn't unheard of

[Shackeng]

120k miles is a reasonable life expectancy for rear shocks, and 150k miles for fronts...

Change the rears for B4s, (£50ish each) and you will notice the improvement immediately 

If it has self levelling, then you only have one real option but same applies re the improvement 

But how Al? I don't rag it, and it is a comfortable ride (CDX), so what is to improve? 

[The Sheriff]

120k miles is a reasonable life expectancy for rear shocks, and 150k miles for fronts...

Change the rears for B4s, (£50ish each) and you will notice the improvement immediately 

If it has self levelling, then you only have one real option but same applies re the improvement 

But how Al? I don't rag it, and it is a comfortable ride (CDX), so what is to improve? 

Take no notice of him, Chris, he knows nowt. 

[The Sheriff]

And don't forget, if you do listen to him, then Gixer the fixer will tell you that you have to have a full geometry set up as well. 

[Shackeng]

 

[05omegav6]

If you're used to the car, then you don't notice the effects of gradual deterioration as various components wear out... you're well within your rights to wait until the MoT chappies fail it, and if you're happy with the way the car feels then great, save your pennies for the 19th hole Even replacing the shocks with genuine ones woulld rejuvenate it noticeably...

And don't forget, if you do listen to him, then Gixer the fixer will tell you that you have to have a full geometry set up as well. 

With the state of the roads, there's already a strong case to get this done annually

[Nick W]

I've NEVER regretted fitting new shocks to anything. The deterioration is so gradual, nobody notices just how bad they are until new ones are fitted. At 125k miles, yours will be so knackered that if you had to remove them for some other reason, you wouldn't want to refit them.


The Omega's problem is the maintenance unfriendly front suspension that adds an alignment session to £120 for the new shocks and the 90mins work.

[05omegav6]

I was struggling to think of a good analogy earlier, but you could almost liken it to your favourite slippers/coat/armchair...

[Nick W]

I was struggling to think of a good analogy earlier, but you could almost liken it to your favourite slippers/coat/armchair...

A better analogy would be the incontinent old labrador you can't bring yourself to have put to sleep because he's still so friendly and good with the postman kids.

[henryd]

I've NEVER regretted fitting new shocks to anything. The deterioration is so gradual, nobody notices just how bad they are until new ones are fitted. At 125k miles, yours will be so knackered that if you had to remove them for some other reason, you wouldn't want to refit them.


The Omega's problem is the maintenance unfriendly front suspension that adds an alignment session to £120 for the new shocks and the 90mins work.

Doesn't the omega have strut inserts on the front?,if so why not remove complete front leg at ballpoint and don't break the strut to hub joint, that way the geometry shouldn't be affected 

[Nick W]

I've NEVER regretted fitting new shocks to anything. The deterioration is so gradual, nobody notices just how bad they are until new ones are fitted. At 125k miles, yours will be so knackered that if you had to remove them for some other reason, you wouldn't want to refit them.


The Omega's problem is the maintenance unfriendly front suspension that adds an alignment session to £120 for the new shocks and the 90mins work.

Doesn't the omega have strut inserts on the front?,if so why not remove complete front leg at ballpoint and don't break the strut to hub joint, that way the geometry shouldn't be affected 

Nope, replacements are the whole assembly, which means unbolting them from the hubs and losing the camber adjustment.