When should you replace shocks?

**addyboy1982** · 18th October 2008, 17:35

I've been going back through the car's maintenance print out today to see when various bits were last changed, discs were done not too long ago (phew) but the car seems to be on its original shocks - do they have a 'normal' lifespan? Car is 4.5 years old now....

**solorider** · 18th October 2008, 19:16

shocks do get worn,on the vectra c that would show as a knocking when going over bumps (make sure the rear bushes are ok first though) and this can happen anytime usually after about 50k sometimes earlier hence why the rear shocks have a shorter warranty than the rest of the car,they can loose their damping properties over time but most people only change the rear shocks when they start to leak,usualy when the mot is due

**BlueRob** · 18th October 2008, 19:34

When you feel your car is loose and tries to have a life of its own on the curves

**wickedwillie** · 18th October 2008, 19:51

When its an MOT failure

**merikiito** · 18th October 2008, 21:22

Give them check for oil leaks and poor bounce. Rears are easy to change along with the rear arms. UR welcome to come round and I can check them and help u change the rears if needed

**addyboy1982** · 19th October 2008, 11:59

Originally Posted by merikiito

Give them check for oil leaks and poor bounce. Rears are easy to change along with the rear arms. UR welcome to come round and I can check them and help u change the rears if needed

Cheers Lee I may just take you up on that. I'll have a look when I'm back home later on and see. It's due an oil and filter next week, so if the garage report that they're starting to get a bit tired, then I may just go the whole hog and get it lowered on new springs too