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[Rangie]

I had a Monroe set of air shocks on my camaro.

Did a check - few options out there.

Google this - air ride shock absorber replacement for 2003 vauxhall omega elite

Yes Skruntie, Monroe shocks from Autodoc range from £29 to £64 for standard shocks for my 3.2 Omega, and there is a version priced at £112, of a type which isn’t fitted to mine.

So for me, the £238 for fitting two is more than acceptable for me these days!

.

As I said earlier you've found a great deal with a dealer that knows you, peace of mind for another year, keep on top of the repairs & it will motor on forever 👍

Exactly Rangie   After my last near death experience in October 2023, nothing matters so much now when it comes to everyday simple challenges that just are not worth the hassle and worry that when I was younger could cope with.  Keeping it as simple as possible is now my daily aim! 

It is funny that yesterday a male friend of mine was under the front of a car, owned by a female friend, laying on the damp and cold road.  He is 40 years of age, and I joked that when I was 17 I could do that, but not now, and he will soon suffer from doing what he still does!!

. 

I know exactly what you mean Lizzie , I always used to service my cars myself & thought nothing of it, the more modern they became the less I did, the last oil change I did was on our old Subaru Forester about 4 years ago, after getting up from underneath it I swore that would be my last time under a vehicle, I actually struggled to get to my feet. Both our cars go to garages now servicing & I like you have no complaints , certainly with my wife's Toyota I wouldn't know where to start under the bonnet is a complete mystery to me but it returns 72mpg as an average & has shown 136 mpg on a long run ,in my eyes that is sheer magic ✨
Having said that if I could have my Omega back in the same condition I sold it in I'd snatch the owners hand off, it will always be the car I regretted selling the most.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Book time is probably an hour a side. That's got to be a minimum of £120 a side plus VAT

There's no way this side of the moon that that job is being done correctly.

I’m using a main Vauxhall dealer who knows my car, and I know their management team.  Therefore. I know I have redress if they get things wrong, and anyway on a car that is 23 years old and hardly does 3,000 miles in a year, I just want what is easy to do;  that is a professionally outfit doing the work whilst I keep in the warm and dry that now I must do for age and health reasons

Nobody is saying paying somebody to do the work is a bad idea.  None of us are getting any younger, and I'm still sporting an injury from changing a wheel last year

But there is an old adage, if something is too good to be true, it probably is.  The price sounds massively low *IF* yours still has self levelling.


Hence, I urge you to just check (nothing strenuous, just getting down on hands and knees to check (or photo, if unsure) the base of the shock).  It's possible in a former life, its have the SL removed, in which case that price doesn't sound low at all.

Given that I believe SL springs coupled with a non SL shock will dramatically impact handling in an unpredictable way, I really do urge you to do this simple check, and if you have got SL shocks, contact your dealer and check they know this.


Obviously, your car, your choice, so I will say no more on the matter.  But I think we'd all be sorry to hear you'd reversed it into a hedge, or worse, because somebody who doesn't know Omegas put the wrong combination of parts on.

Thanks TB, I note your comments.   However I know already that my Omega has not got S/L shocks fitted, being just plain, everyday ones.  I don't know if it ever did have them, but there is no sign of them now.

How do you know it hasnt got S/L shocks fitted ?
It will 100% definitely have had them fitted from new, so if it hasnt got them now someone has removed them for some reason.
If it hasnt got them fitted now  I hope whoever removed them fitted appropriate springs when they changed the shocks.

[Doctor Gollum]

Links readily available. But it's not the first time that Betty has been turned over by her VX dealer :-X

Doing the job correctly, means either the correct shocks or new shocks, springs and a couple of hours to remove the self levelling gubbins. Pulling the fuse is to totally half arse it.

Genuine non SL shocks are circa £100 each. Springs around £60. £237 at a main dealer isn't going to buy anything worth getting.

Really?? !!

The only time I have had a problem with them because of a new genuine GM A/C compressor failing within two years of being fitted, the General Manager blah blah blah

I presume this is the same place that tried to charge £320 to change a ball joint at the last MoT

I have two questions:
As your car left the factory with self levelling suspension:

1. When was it removed?
2. Was it removed correctly or did they simply pull the fuse and fit standard shocks?

Any VX dealer would know from the VIN that it should have self levelling rear suspension even if they don't know or understand why or how it works. Actually any garage would be able to find that information easily enough

That they apparently are prepared to throw on whatever is currently fitted raises more than an eyebrow.

I get that you may no longer be able to get under the car to do things, especially suspension work, (it's a bear to do even 15 years ago), but you are being led up the garden path by people that are only interested in depriving you of your money whilst smiling and making you think they've done you a favour. They haven't and they're not..

I'm not going to waste my time digging up links because you'll only ignore them and the advice given.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Links readily available. But it's not the first time that Betty has been turned over by her VX dealer :-X

Doing the job correctly, means either the correct shocks or new shocks, springs and a couple of hours to remove the self levelling gubbins. Pulling the fuse is to totally half arse it.

Genuine non SL shocks are circa £100 each. Springs around £60. £237 at a main dealer isn't going to buy anything worth getting.

Really?? !!

The only time I have had a problem with them because of a new genuine GM A/C compressor failing within two years of being fitted, the General Manager blah blah blah

I presume this is the same place that tried to charge £320 to change a ball joint at the last MoT

I have two questions:
As your car left the factory with self levelling suspension:

1. When was it removed?
2. Was it removed correctly or did they simply pull the fuse and fit standard shocks?

Any VX dealer would know from the VIN that it should have self levelling rear suspension even if they don't know or understand why or how it works. Actually any garage would be able to find that information easily enough

That they apparently are prepared to throw on whatever is currently fitted raises more than an eyebrow.

I get that you may no longer be able to get under the car to do things, especially suspension work, (it's a bear to do even 15 years ago), but you are being led up the garden path by people that are only interested in depriving you of your money whilst smiling and making you think they've done you a favour. They haven't and they're not..

I'm not going to waste my time digging up links because you'll only ignore them and the advice given.

No DG, I have not had any issue with ball joints, or any other item, following an MOT or anything else.  The only issue was the A/C co0mpressor which the dealer sorted quickly.

As for your last comment, I do note your comments and advice but I cannot always act on them due to not being abloe to work on cars like you do, and once I could many years ago!

However, I have also noted your questions, and those of TB, Migv6, cam in the head, etc, about S/L shocks on my car.  I was convinced that I did not have that system as the rear of the cars height does not change between the engine being on, or off, and there is no sound of a system working as there was with previous Vauxhalls I have possessed.

BUT, I am an honest, straightforward women who does not bullshit like many men so (sorry men!! ) and I will now state that I believe I WAS WRONG IN MY ASSESSMENT that I did not have a S/L system!!!

Because you all cast much doubt in my mind over this, I went outside, down to my garage, and jacked up the offside rear of my car, taking the wheel off.  What I found was, I now believe, signs that there is a S/L system, but I don't think it is working due to what I have stated previously.  I have taken photos of the shock and diff which show signs of a S/L system, and I am trying to remember how now we can transfer photos from a current host site onto the OOF so you can judge yourselves and advise please.

[cam.in.head]

basically if the shocks have a large rubber bellow covering the centre section rather than a simple tube over tube look then they are indeed SL shocks but it cannot see how SL shocks could have a light misting of oil (ie a leak ?)all over them as where would the oil come from unless the rubber is perished or the actual body has a pinhole .

[Lizzie Zoom]

YES!! Managed it finally!!

Sorry for the Photobucket banner!  But can you see enough to advise please??

 

[cam.in.head]

yep self levelling indeed so if thd vx garage can keep ti their price you will indeed get a bargain but they wont !
so its as suggested ealier
2options
find the correct shocks and make sure the system is working or
convert springs and shocks to normal style (dont know if this would be classed as a modification to the vehicle thou ??

[Lizzie Zoom]

yep self levelling indeed so if thd vx garage can keep ti their price you will indeed get a bargain but they wont !
so its as suggested ealier
2options
find the correct shocks and make sure the system is working or
convert springs and shocks to normal style (dont know if this would be classed as a modification to the vehicle thou ??

Thanks

I will now give that problem to my Vx dealer, and hold them to their quote!!

They are meant to be the experts and have not let me down before

[Doctor Gollum]

Links readily available. But it's not the first time that Betty has been turned over by her VX dealer :-X

Doing the job correctly, means either the correct shocks or new shocks, springs and a couple of hours to remove the self levelling gubbins. Pulling the fuse is to totally half arse it.

Genuine non SL shocks are circa £100 each. Springs around £60. £237 at a main dealer isn't going to buy anything worth getting.

Really?? !!

The only time I have had a problem with them because of a new genuine GM A/C compressor failing within two years of being fitted, the General Manager blah blah blah

I presume this is the same place that tried to charge £320 to change a ball joint at the last MoT

I have two questions:
As your car left the factory with self levelling suspension:

1. When was it removed?
2. Was it removed correctly or did they simply pull the fuse and fit standard shocks?

Any VX dealer would know from the VIN that it should have self levelling rear suspension even if they don't know or understand why or how it works. Actually any garage would be able to find that information easily enough

That they apparently are prepared to throw on whatever is currently fitted raises more than an eyebrow.

I get that you may no longer be able to get under the car to do things, especially suspension work, (it's a bear to do even 15 years ago), but you are being led up the garden path by people that are only interested in depriving you of your money whilst smiling and making you think they've done you a favour. They haven't and they're not..

I'm not going to waste my time digging up links because you'll only ignore them and the advice given.

No DG, I have not had any issue with ball joints, or any other item, following an MOT or anything else.  The only issue was the A/C co0mpressor which the dealer sorted quickly.

As for your last comment, I do note your comments and advice but I cannot always act on them due to not being abloe to work on cars like you do, and once I could many years ago!

However, I have also noted your questions, and those of TB, Migv6, cam in the head, etc, about S/L shocks on my car.  I was convinced that I did not have that system as the rear of the cars height does not change between the engine being on, or off, and there is no sound of a system working as there was with previous Vauxhalls I have possessed.

BUT, I am an honest, straightforward women who does not bullshit like many men so (sorry men!! ) and I will now state that I believe I WAS WRONG IN MY ASSESSMENT that I did not have a S/L system!!!

Because you all cast much doubt in my mind over this, I went outside, down to my garage, and jacked up the offside rear of my car, taking the wheel off.  What I found was, I now believe, signs that there is a S/L system, but I don't think it is working due to what I have stated previously.  I have taken photos of the shock and diff which show signs of a S/L system, and I am trying to remember how now we can transfer photos from a current host site onto the OOF so you can judge yourselves and advise please.

This garage. Last year.

https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=151422.0

 

[Doctor Gollum]

yep self levelling indeed so if thd vx garage can keep ti their price you will indeed get a bargain but they wont !
so its as suggested ealier
2options
find the correct shocks and make sure the system is working or
convert springs and shocks to normal style (dont know if this would be classed as a modification to the vehicle thou ??

Thanks

I will now give that problem to my Vx dealer, and hold them to their quote!!

They are meant to be the experts and have not let me down before

That's the funniest thing I have heard all year.

Expect a bill for about a grand to do that job properly. Even bodged you're looking at about £500 for the parts and fitting. The brake lines will be in addition to that.

If they just fit the shocks, they've no business being in business. It's really that simple.

[Doctor Gollum]

yep self levelling indeed so if thd vx garage can keep ti their price you will indeed get a bargain but they wont !
so its as suggested ealier
2options
find the correct shocks and make sure the system is working or
convert springs and shocks to normal style (dont know if this would be classed as a modification to the vehicle thou ??

It's technically a modification but it fits within the description of a reasonable repair as long as the springs and shocks are equivalent of/or factory fitted parts for an Omega B of the same age.

Just replacing the shocks for standard ones will take it outside type approval, notwithstanding that the handling will become unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Links readily available. But it's not the first time that Betty has been turned over by her VX dealer :-X

Doing the job correctly, means either the correct shocks or new shocks, springs and a couple of hours to remove the self levelling gubbins. Pulling the fuse is to totally half arse it.

Genuine non SL shocks are circa £100 each. Springs around £60. £237 at a main dealer isn't going to buy anything worth getting.

Really?? !!

The only time I have had a problem with them because of a new genuine GM A/C compressor failing within two years of being fitted, the General Manager blah blah blah

I presume this is the same place that tried to charge £320 to change a ball joint at the last MoT

I have two questions:
As your car left the factory with self levelling suspension:

1. When was it removed?
2. Was it removed correctly or did they simply pull the fuse and fit standard shocks?

Any VX dealer would know from the VIN that it should have self levelling rear suspension even if they don't know or understand why or how it works. Actually any garage would be able to find that information easily enough

That they apparently are prepared to throw on whatever is currently fitted raises more than an eyebrow.

I get that you may no longer be able to get under the car to do things, especially suspension work, (it's a bear to do even 15 years ago), but you are being led up the garden path by people that are only interested in depriving you of your money whilst smiling and making you think they've done you a favour. They haven't and they're not..

I'm not going to waste my time digging up links because you'll only ignore them and the advice given.

No DG, I have not had any issue with ball joints, or any other item, following an MOT or anything else.  The only issue was the A/C co0mpressor which the dealer sorted quickly.

As for your last comment, I do note your comments and advice but I cannot always act on them due to not being abloe to work on cars like you do, and once I could many years ago!

However, I have also noted your questions, and those of TB, Migv6, cam in the head, etc, about S/L shocks on my car.  I was convinced that I did not have that system as the rear of the cars height does not change between the engine being on, or off, and there is no sound of a system working as there was with previous Vauxhalls I have possessed.

BUT, I am an honest, straightforward women who does not bullshit like many men so (sorry men!! ) and I will now state that I believe I WAS WRONG IN MY ASSESSMENT that I did not have a S/L system!!!

Because you all cast much doubt in my mind over this, I went outside, down to my garage, and jacked up the offside rear of my car, taking the wheel off.  What I found was, I now believe, signs that there is a S/L system, but I don't think it is working due to what I have stated previously.  I have taken photos of the shock and diff which show signs of a S/L system, and I am trying to remember how now we can transfer photos from a current host site onto the OOF so you can judge yourselves and advise please.

This garage. Last year.

https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=151422.0

 

Ah, now I understand your confusion.  I actually had the TRACK ROD ends replaced all in for £188 using my other favoured garage, including the parts sourced from Autodoc.  I knew I hadn’t had “ball joints” done by Vx or anyone else.

You certainly don’t give up in trying to catch me out Why the interest?

And why do you always look on the worst senerio?   Do you want to scare me silly?

Whatever the Vx dealer has quoted I will just go along with - to start with.  But there really is far worse to fear in life than challenges to do with cars, especially one that is now 23 years old that does not owe me a penny.  It has given me a great means of transport for a total of £17,557. Over 13 years this July I reckon that is great value for such a car, that I could now sell for at least £4,000, but even without that it is still good value at £1,350 per year.  The finance, depreciation, let alone servicing costs on a brand new car would well exceed that.

I was looking at a deal on a brand new Vx EV, with £13,000 off the list price, so costing £18,000 before even going out on the road.  Not only would their be the significant cost of finance and depreciation per year, but a new battery every, say, 10 years can cost £10,000.

So give me my Omega “deal” anyday

[Lizzie Zoom]

Links readily available. But it's not the first time that Betty has been turned over by her VX dealer :-X

Doing the job correctly, means either the correct shocks or new shocks, springs and a couple of hours to remove the self levelling gubbins. Pulling the fuse is to totally half arse it.

Genuine non SL shocks are circa £100 each. Springs around £60. £237 at a main dealer isn't going to buy anything worth getting.

Really?? !!

The only time I have had a problem with them because of a new genuine GM A/C compressor failing within two years of being fitted, the General Manager blah blah blah

I presume this is the same place that tried to charge £320 to change a ball joint at the last MoT

I have two questions:
As your car left the factory with self levelling suspension:

1. When was it removed?
2. Was it removed correctly or did they simply pull the fuse and fit standard shocks?

Any VX dealer would know from the VIN that it should have self levelling rear suspension even if they don't know or understand why or how it works. Actually any garage would be able to find that information easily enough

That they apparently are prepared to throw on whatever is currently fitted raises more than an eyebrow.

I get that you may no longer be able to get under the car to do things, especially suspension work, (it's a bear to do even 15 years ago), but you are being led up the garden path by people that are only interested in depriving you of your money whilst smiling and making you think they've done you a favour. They haven't and they're not..

I'm not going to waste my time digging up links because you'll only ignore them and the advice given.

No DG, I have not had any issue with ball joints, or any other item, following an MOT or anything else.  The only issue was the A/C co0mpressor which the dealer sorted quickly.

As for your last comment, I do note your comments and advice but I cannot always act on them due to not being abloe to work on cars like you do, and once I could many years ago!

However, I have also noted your questions, and those of TB, Migv6, cam in the head, etc, about S/L shocks on my car.  I was convinced that I did not have that system as the rear of the cars height does not change between the engine being on, or off, and there is no sound of a system working as there was with previous Vauxhalls I have possessed.

BUT, I am an honest, straightforward women who does not bullshit like many men so (sorry men!! ) and I will now state that I believe I WAS WRONG IN MY ASSESSMENT that I did not have a S/L system!!!

Because you all cast much doubt in my mind over this, I went outside, down to my garage, and jacked up the offside rear of my car, taking the wheel off.  What I found was, I now believe, signs that there is a S/L system, but I don't think it is working due to what I have stated previously.  I have taken photos of the shock and diff which show signs of a S/L system, and I am trying to remember how now we can transfer photos from a current host site onto the OOF so you can judge yourselves and advise please.

This garage. Last year.

https://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=151422.0

 

Ah, now I understand your confusion.  I actually had the TRACK ROD ends replaced all in for £188 using my other favoured garage, including the parts sourced from Autodoc.  I knew I hadn’t had “ball joints” done by Vx or anyone else.

You certainly don’t give up in trying to catch me out Why the interest?

And why do you always look on the worst senerio?   Do you want to scare me silly?

Whatever the Vx dealer has quoted I will just go along with - to start with.  But there really is far worse to fear in life than challenges to do with cars, especially one that is now 23 years old that does not owe me a penny.  It has given me a great means of transport for a total of £17,557 over13 years this July. I reckon that is great value for such a car, that I could now sell for at least £4,000, but even without that it is still good value at £1,350 per year.  The finance, depreciation, let alone servicing costs on a brand new car would well exceed that.

I was looking at a deal on a brand new Vx EV, with £13,000 off the list price, so costing £18,000 before even going out on the road.  Not only would their be the significant cost of finance and depreciation per year, but a new battery every, say, 10 years can cost £10,000.

So give me my Omega “deal” anyday

[Lizzie Zoom]

……..and one more point regarding S/L shocks, apart from your estimate of costs DG, is that they are not available. I note even as early as 2019 comments on the web mention that.

So standard shocks it is

[cam.in.head]

putting all the above to one side for the moment
i cannot underdtand how 2 rubber booted shocks can have a light misting of oil anyway ?  i would have thought the only way oil could leak out of those would be a holed body in ehich case they surrly should be a definate fail so i suspect theres nothing actually wtong with your shocks at all