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i got a astra 94 1.4 its done 100000 miles now my query is that do shock absorbers need to be replaced as the ride is getting firmer the car is sensitive to minor bumps on the road
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100,000 mls is quite a lot on that age of car have you done a bounce test at each corner? push it down twice see if it levels first time, on the astra the fronts are an insurt into the leg if i remember correctley & the rears are just a standard damper.
worth checking the springs are not broken these do break. good luck.
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Change the shock absorbers on any car of 50,000 miles + and you will be amazed at the difference in ride quality, road holding, braking etc.
Many people swear by certain tyres etc (especially on this forum) and state how they transform the braking distances.
Imo and experience, changing shockers has a bigger impact on braking distances and steering etc than virtually any choice of tyre does.
But as always on here I will be "proved" wrong !
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>>But as always on here I will be "proved" wrong !
What do you mean?
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>>But as always on here I will be "proved" wrong !
What do you mean?
Perhaps I am too easy to wind up but an awful lot of people just seem to want to disprove what other people say !
You read into it what you want !
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>>an awful lot of people just seem to want to disprove what other people say !
I know what you mean - though in a way, perhaps it's quite realistic. In most workshops, there are as many ideas and different methods to do a job as there are mechanics!
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the complaint sounds like either a tracking or suspension bush related. it all depends on what you mean by sensitive. is it making a noise, or you getting some bump steer(where one your tyres flicks momentarily). how are your tyres wearing down, fast?
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You may find at that mileage that changing the front lower wishbones & their bushes will show a dramatic improvement in the handling & ride quality.
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Thanks for the replies, one of the back spring was replaced last year, so far the front tyres have been changed 2 years ago and the wear and tear is normal, still good enough for another year.
i heard that from 95 onwards vauxhall changed the shocks to gas filled, i have not done the bounce test, but are suspensions checked on mot?
how much are they the front shock absorbers is it a diy job or do i have to take down the fast fit stores
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The shock absorbers are tested on the mot. The test amounts to; 1 are they there? 2 Are they leaking? 3 Does the car bounce about the same on each corner ? Not a very good test imo; they do wear out !
Front shcoks on this car are not a job for the inexperienced diy er, but shouldn't be too expensive ata a garage. get 2 or 3 quotes first?
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just took the car for a spin when driving above 70 mph there is a noise coming from a car a yawnimg sound when the speed is below 70 the sound dissappears could it be the shocks?
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Is the noise eminating from the rear?
Is it on one side, or both?
Does the noise increase / decrease depending on whether taking left or righ hand bends?
Have you checked the tyres to make sure they're perfectly symetrical, and haven't gone out of round?
2 thoughts spring to mind - wheel bearing(s) or faulty tyre(s).
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seem to be coming from the back, not sure if its on one side, if its wheel bearings is that part of the tyre or drive shaft?
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Wheel bearing is separate. No drive shaft as your car is front wheel drive.
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