Shock Absorbers

**installer** · 12th August 2005, 16:55

As some may know I have Vectra c CDTi SRi Estate,it went to where I bought it from today for new discs and pads all round - Free Of Charge cos they should of replaced them before picking it up.
At the same time they said that my rear right shock had at exploded and they`d replaced it F.O.C again.

Now should shocks be replaced in pairs is my question?
The car has done 11k and is 2004(54) plate.

**GARY3306** · 12th August 2005, 18:57

The short answer to your question is YES. It is good practice and I would ALWAYS recommend renewing shock absorbers as a pair. You wouldn't renew only one brake disc would you? That said, if the car has done something like 2300miles from new and one goes faulty, then that it is reasonable to just replace that one, or if you had a new pair fitted and a couple of hundred miles later one goes t*ts up, but 11,000 is a few now. There is a possibility of imbalance with handling, it may cause the car to pull to the weak side under heavy braking etc. HTH mate.

**installer** · 12th August 2005, 19:17

Originally Posted by GARY3306

The short answer to your question is YES. It is good practice and I would ALWAYS recommend renewing shock absorbers as a pair. You wouldn't renew only one brake disc would you? That said, if the car has done something like 2300miles from new and one goes faulty, then that it is reasonable to just replace that one, or if you had a new pair fitted and a couple of hundred miles later one goes t*ts up, but 11,000 is a few now. There is a possibility of imbalance with handling, it may cause the car to pull to the weak side under heavy braking etc. HTH mate.

Right thanks for the reply.
Went under and got the part no`s etc of the shocks - could just see them.Will ring localish dealer that ok and check they are the correct shocks for my car,get another opinion then take it from there.
Phone where got car from see what they say.
Definately had one done cos got new torx bolt in bottom fixing and it`s all clean,other side is dirty.

**installer** · 13th August 2005, 09:59

UPDATE

Got part no`s for my car shocks SRi estate = 913183316 from local dealer,who also confirmed ideally replace in pairs.

Well the garage bought the car from have fitted the wrong shock it`s from a Signum = 913183312.

Now yes could be the same identical part,just no` different for each model of car,but what happens if it failed in an accident?
Wrong shock fitted there mate - insurance invalid - liability?
So they`ve ordered right shocks and I gave them the part no`s and get them to replace both shocks next week.

**Jamie** · 13th August 2005, 13:03

Originally Posted by installer

Now yes could be the same identical part,just no` different for each model of car,but what happens if it failed in an accident?
Wrong shock fitted there mate - insurance invalid - liability?

The only way someone would find out it was the wrong shock following a collision (There are no accidents, there is always someone to blame!) would be if the shock was the cause of the collision, and if the collision was what the government (for the sake of statistics) like to call a KSI (Killed/Serious Injury) collision and then a vehicle examiner would crawl over your car picking out the reasons it shouldn't have been on the road.

And at the end of all that... if you have proof that the dalership put the shock on, the liability is theirs anyway..... you just have to live with the fact that you were driving a car when it changed somebodies life forever, in a bad way

!

**SAMMYBOY** · 13th August 2005, 14:56

Hi, The Bodyshop I Work In Will Only Replace The Shocker On The Damaged Side Of The Car.....i Myself Always Replace 2 Of Anything Ie Tyres, Shox Etc.....we Even Put On Bottom Arms Etc, But Never In Pairs.....we Are Regularly Checked By Aa Inspectors, And They Do Not Have A Problem With This Type Of Thing....

**installer** · 13th August 2005, 17:02

Originally Posted by Jamie1979

The only way someone would find out it was the wrong shock following a collision (There are no accidents, there is always someone to blame!) would be if the shock was the cause of the collision, and if the collision was what the government (for the sake of statistics) like to call a KSI (Killed/Serious Injury) collision and then a vehicle examiner would crawl over your car picking out the reasons it shouldn't have been on the road.

And at the end of all that... if you have proof that the dalership put the shock on, the liability is theirs anyway..... you just have to live with the fact that you were driving a car when it changed somebodies life forever, in a bad way

!

They`re changing it and thats the bottom line,if they fuss hell will be let forth.
They`ve put the wrong part on,they`ve given me the part no` off their invoice - it`s the wrong part.
So it`s their problem not mine,whether they`ve ordered it wrong or were supplied wrong - they`ve fitted the wrong part.
Got to ring monday and get it put back in to them and I`ll get them to do the other side even if I pay for that one.

**Jamie** · 13th August 2005, 17:33

Result... thats how it should work!!!

**Gsi3.2** · 13th August 2005, 17:37

Good Result..

Just goes to show that perhaps it's not sad to check any work that we have done at garages or the main stealers..

How many people just sign blindly for the car??

Perhaps I'm not the only one??? Mrs GSi thinks I'm off my trolley when I do!!