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[David Wilson]

Recently changed the rear self leveling shockers on my Omega. 

Two things are bothering me, one the ride height at the back seems higher than what it was and two going round sharp corners causes the back end to step out.  Now I was told the ride height sensor might need replacing because of this but is there any other reason for the way it is behaving? 

Me and my friend (who is a mechanic) fitted them and he told me the front isn't self leveling - because we were debating the gap between the wheel arches (lower at the front than the back) and why it might be like it.

It doesn't seem to be stable, is this just a characteristic of this car?

Any advice would be appreciated greatly.

[mrgreen]

have you checked the sensor to see if it's working correctly? very simple to do look in the guides but obviously it will step out if it thinks it should be fully jacked all the time the body roll alone will probably do that, first port of call is certainly the sensor

[David Wilson]

Thanks I'll give that a try tomorrow and see what happens.

[David Wilson]

Today I checked the rear sensor and it doesn't work.  I called the local motor factors and they don't do them, it appears its a dealer job so I called them and they want £135. Plus they had none in stock.  Can you use the trade card on this item? 

Does anyone know of anyone selling a second hand sensor?  Also I was told by the dealer there is a sensor on the front of the car too but I have yet to test it.

[Entwood]

You have 3 sensors that all "look" pretty much the same ... 2 for the headlight levelling and one for the self levelling suspension.

Please ensure you are testing the correct one !!

Headlight ones are nearside front wishbone and NEARSIDE rear suspension arm

Suspension is OFFSIDE rear suspension arm.

The suspension does not need a front sensor a the front suspension does not move under self-levelling .... loads tend to go in the big space at the back called the boot ..

[Lazydocker]

Well spotted Entwood

[Entwood]

Well spotted Entwood

Even I learn from my mistakes ..... been there and got the T-shirt !!!  'Twas a while back on the 2.5 mind ..

[David Wilson]

Well following your advice we had another look at the sensor and yes we were looking at the wrong one! lol Although we did check the suspension sensor previously and it seems to be working although it still seems high at the back.

We looked at the pump which whirs when the arm is moved up or down, the vac pipes don't seem to have a leak and nothing seems obviously wrong.  Only thing we could think of was that the sensor maybe packing up?  When the car is running the suspension raises a little and then goes down and then back up? Its still too high and it rolls all over the road and the back end keeps stepping out  :-/

Any ideas whats causing the problem?  I called the mechanics at Vauxhall and they couldn't 'remember' enough about the self leveling to say what it was over the phone and wanted to see the car.  So we are stumped 

Any help would be appreciated.

[tunnie]

have you watched to see if the suspension is moving externally? Fill the boot up with heavy junk or a fat mate 

Start the car, see if the suspension / rear ride height climbs.

Was GM Self Leveling ones on there before, you replaced with genuine?

[David Wilson]

Yeah I was laid underneath the car and watched the shockers moving, although its not a big movement.  I tried adding loads of weight lol.

I'll try it again with something heavier tomorrow and see what it does.

The self leveling shockers on before were original so I take it they were GM, I replaced them with genuine shockers.

Its a mystery to me.   :-/

[05omegav6]

Just a thought, did you pressurise the shocks before you refitted the airlines?  :-/

When I fitted new shocks to my estate, I compressed the rods then used a low pressure airline to extend the rods into place and slightly inflate the bellows. I then reconnected the airlines from the pump. Seems to work as intended.

It may be worth shortening the sensor arm if it is adjustable, or failing that swapping the pump and sensor with known good units to see if that makes a difference. :-/

Al.

[David Wilson]

We didn't pressurise the shocks before, I wasn't aware you had to?   

[Entwood]

We didn't pressurise the shocks before, I wasn't aware you had to?   

The instructions that came with mine .. and the relevant paragraph in Haynes, both say to slightly pressurise first

13 On models with rear suspension level control, charge the shock absorber slightly with compressed air. An exact initial pressure is not specified by the manufacturer but carefully inflate the shock absorber until it protrudes through the upper mountings. Refit the pressure line to the shock absorber valve and secure it in position with the retaining clip. Ensure that the pressure line is positioned so that it does not foul any suspension components.

I think it is to "start" it off and prevent sticking .. but I did it and had no problems

HTH

[Varche]

Today I checked the rear sensor and it doesn't work.  I called the local motor factors and they don't do them, it appears its a dealer job so I called them and they want £135. Plus they had none in stock.  Can you use the trade card on this item? 

Does anyone know of anyone selling a second hand sensor?  Also I was told by the dealer there is a sensor on the front of the car too but I have yet to test it.

Yoiur profile doesn't say what year your car is but they changed the sensor and wiring loom on the elite around Oct 97. I know because I have two 97 cars and the sensor is different. If the sensor turns out to be the problem I may be able to help.

[David Wilson]

I read that in the haynes manual just the other day as well.  I don't understand what difference it can make but there is obviously a reason for doing this.

The car is a 2001 Y reg.  I am beginning to wish I hadn't bought the Elite spec that way I could have avoided the whole self leveling suspension problems I have encountered