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[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

When a final decision is reached, if you do have the shocks (and springs remember) changed, please keep the old ones and I may well be interested in buying them from you. 

[Doctor Gollum]

A damp rag will suffice.

[Lizzie Zoom]

When a final decision is reached, if you do have the shocks (and springs remember) changed, please keep the old ones and I may well be interested in buying them from you. 

    Now I think I will be keeping them!

On a serious note, how long do these shocks last on average?  My Omega is 23 years old this June, and has done 88k miles

[Lizzie Zoom]

A damp rag will suffice.

Thanks DG

But what is safe to soak the rag in to remove the grime please? 

[Sir Tigger KC]

A damp rag will suffice.

Thanks DG

But what is safe to soak the rag in to remove the grime please?

Water. It gets wet under there every time you drive in the rain. 

[Lizzie Zoom]

A damp rag will suffice.

Thanks DG

But what is safe to soak the rag in to remove the grime please?

Water. It gets wet under there every time you drive in the rain. 

Yes, but water usually requires something to eat into grime and crud, which my shocks are covered in, let alone the signs of rust.  So maybe washing up liquid added can help and not do any damage?    I was also thinking this morning of white spirit which could be safe and not damage anything??

[Doctor Gollum]

Wipe it off with a rag and forget about it. Anymore involved and you may regret it.

The alternative is to replace everything... Because that's the only outcome from scrubbing.

[Lizzie Zoom]

Wipe it off with a rag and forget about it. Anymore involved and you may regret it.

The alternative is to replace everything... Because that's the only outcome from scrubbing.

Right, thanks DG.   I will take your advice

[Lizzie Zoom]

With all the valued advice I have been given, I have decided on a programme of works that I WILL DO myself come warmer and dryer weather.

I am not even going to speak to any garage, just clean the shocks and brake pipes, wire brush the light rust on the callipers, and do the cam cover gaskets that will need doing by then.

The MOT mentions that the steering idler bearing/bush is “worn allowing slight movement”.  This I will get quotes for from my two local garages, and even make a trip up to Serek’ later in the year.

That will then ready the car for the next MOT in Jan 2027, without any rush and letting any garage to get one over on me, as DG would say! 

I just need my health to hold up and have the energy for all this

[STEMO]

You're experienced enough to know how much play, if any, is in the steering. Words like 'slight' are known as 'arse covering' words. Your car passed with a few advisories, leave it at that.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Wouldnt worry about steering idler unless you can feel the steering wandering while your driving.
Why will the " camcover gaskets need doing by then" ?
If you keep the breathers clean, camcover gaskets shouldnt present problems.
I did mine years ago when I first got the car but havent needed to touch them since, because I clean the breathers regularly.