Shock absorber weeping - anyone else?

[deviousrich]

Morning all

Third service yesterday - all good (97% SOH which i was quite pleased with) on 40,000 miles

but they did notice rear offside shock weeping - hopefully they will be fixing it under warranty, but wondered if anyone else had similar?

i'm glad i took it in a month before the three year anniversary as thats when the warranty runs out on those parts.

 

[Alb]

Not common but this can be caused by hitting a pothole and it can be months after the event before you see the evidence.

 

[omega22]

Cleevely tell me mine is also weeping. Maybe take it to an MG dealer before 3 years are up. (72 reg with 35k)

 

[Lovemyev]

There have been a few instances of the rear shocks leaking prematurely.
A quick read of this thread will tell the tale.
I am a little surprised that they are still using the “old school” oil filled units ?.
I though that gas filled struts would have been the order of the day by now ??.

 

[Mickandsej]

Fitted mudflaps today and I discovered my rear shocks are leaking. Impossible to see normally but on full sag it was obvious. 21/71 LR so out of 36 month cover, but I’ve only had the car 5 weeks and 7/800 miles from Main Dealer so it’s going back in for them. Initial call to them seemed to go well so I can’t see the bill landing on me. In my days in the trade you always replaced shocks in pairs so can’t see that being a valid dodge for the dealer.
The car was quite bouncy compared to my then-new 74 SE and I put it down to age and mileage. Finding the leak is good for me as it’s a clear dealer issue

 

[Alb]

Did you get a fresh MOT when you bought the car?

 

[Mickandsej]

No - WLMG stated their used car policy is only to MOT if less than six months. They’d also serviced it in December before it was taken in px late January.

 

[Lovemyev]

No - WLMG stated their used car policy is only to MOT if less than six months. They’d also serviced it in December before it was taken in px late January.

I would have to question the validity of the service conducted in December myself ?.
I find it difficult to believe that the shockers only started leaking, about 4 weeks after it was serviced myself.
Also when the car was sold in January, why was the leaking shocks not picked up up on the PDI service ? ( assuming it had one ).
Strange how things get missed when the car is still in warranty, but suddenly get noticed when the car falls just outside of the warranty .

 

[Everest]

I am a little surprised that they are still using the “old school” oil filled units ?.
I though that gas filled struts would have been the order of the day by now ??.

But gas filled shock absorbers still have oil to provide damping - the gas just helps stabilize the oil IIRC. My OH just said that he considers shock absorbers to be consumable items, albeit with a few years worth of usage in them.

 

[Mickandsej]

I accept wear and tear of shocks at 64k/4.5yrs if it was my car from new/nearly new. But, I bought it used from MG Approved so definitely a valid claim, notwithstanding the mot/service oversight.

 

[Mickandsej]

I’d just repeat that the damping seemed substandard so I’m glad I’ve found a definite cause of that. Last car I had to put shocks on was a 1985 SD1 and that was a seriously sickness-inducing driving experience!
Frankly I’m not going to lose my rag with the dealer, I’d be happy to take the parts and fit them myself.