Early failure of a shock absorber
Discussion
Are those scratches on the rod?
There's a ton of oil in the area. I guess that came from the damper. Most rubbers are not good at resisting oil, and I suppose the combination of oil contamination and continual flexing could have degraded the rubber relatively quickly.
As to why it's leaking, perhaps you hit a pothole or speed ramp too hard and burst a seal.
There's a ton of oil in the area. I guess that came from the damper. Most rubbers are not good at resisting oil, and I suppose the combination of oil contamination and continual flexing could have degraded the rubber relatively quickly.
As to why it's leaking, perhaps you hit a pothole or speed ramp too hard and burst a seal.
GreenV8S said:
Are those scratches on the rod?
There's a ton of oil in the area. I guess that came from the damper. Most rubbers are not good at resisting oil, and I suppose the combination of oil contamination and continual flexing could have degraded the rubber relatively quickly.
As to why it's leaking, perhaps you hit a pothole or speed ramp too hard and burst a seal.
Trying to work out which came first… did the rubber go first and then road dirt on the rod killed the seal, or did an impact kill the seal and the oil killed the rubber?There's a ton of oil in the area. I guess that came from the damper. Most rubbers are not good at resisting oil, and I suppose the combination of oil contamination and continual flexing could have degraded the rubber relatively quickly.
As to why it's leaking, perhaps you hit a pothole or speed ramp too hard and burst a seal.
Reason for the debate is that it failed literally a week after the two year warranty for the part expired. So if it’s a failure of new damper or dust seal other than wear and tear the there’s a chance of a goodwill payment from BMW UK.
NDT said:
GreenV8S said:
Are those scratches on the rod?
There's a ton of oil in the area. I guess that came from the damper. Most rubbers are not good at resisting oil, and I suppose the combination of oil contamination and continual flexing could have degraded the rubber relatively quickly.
As to why it's leaking, perhaps you hit a pothole or speed ramp too hard and burst a seal.
Trying to work out which came first… did the rubber go first and then road dirt on the rod killed the seal, or did an impact kill the seal and the oil killed the rubber?There's a ton of oil in the area. I guess that came from the damper. Most rubbers are not good at resisting oil, and I suppose the combination of oil contamination and continual flexing could have degraded the rubber relatively quickly.
As to why it's leaking, perhaps you hit a pothole or speed ramp too hard and burst a seal.
Reason for the debate is that it failed literally a week after the two year warranty for the part expired. So if it’s a failure of new damper or dust seal other than wear and tear the there’s a chance of a goodwill payment from BMW UK.
What's the other side like?
TwinKam said:
Dirt doesn't kill the seal; some cars don't have gaiters from new, many others with them long rotten away, sitting in loose rings in the spring seat. I always remove them if I see them as I once found a ring had been ingested into the damper... now that did wreck the seal! Whatever it is that they're banned from being in rubber ('for our own good', no doubt) has dramatically affected its longevity.
What's the other side like?
Thanks.What's the other side like?
The rubber gaiter on the other side is fine. I haven’t tried looking at the rod underneath.
NDT said:
TwinKam said:
Dirt doesn't kill the seal; some cars don't have gaiters from new, many others with them long rotten away, sitting in loose rings in the spring seat. I always remove them if I see them as I once found a ring had been ingested into the damper... now that did wreck the seal! Whatever it is that they're banned from being in rubber ('for our own good', no doubt) has dramatically affected its longevity.
What's the other side like?
Thanks.What's the other side like?
The rubber gaiter on the other side is fine. I haven’t tried looking at the rod underneath.
NDT said:
It’s a BMW with electronically controlled dampers. Yes, the dampers were replaced with genuine parts by a main dealer two years ago.
Ah, i could see the electical connector at the bottom and knowing VW always have an issue thought it might be that.Its a 2 year warranty on the BMW parts I think, if its the same as VW then Monroe make them, although you could replace them with Billsteins
stevemcs said:
Ah, i could see the electical connector at the bottom and knowing VW always have an issue thought it might be that.
Its a 2 year warranty on the BMW parts I think, if its the same as VW then Monroe make them, although you could replace them with Billsteins
Yes, two year warranty and it failed the MoT on this 2 years and 1 week after they were replaced. Dealer has hinted at the possibility of a goodwill contribution from BMW UK. Sounds unlikely though.Its a 2 year warranty on the BMW parts I think, if its the same as VW then Monroe make them, although you could replace them with Billsteins
Interestingly I can find a Monroe damper with the right part number on autodoc for half the price of the BMW part.
NDT said:
Any thoughts?
NDT said:
It’s a BMW with electronically controlled dampers. Yes, the dampers were replaced with genuine parts by a main dealer two years ago.
For a pattern part, just one of those things.... ... but for a genuine BMW part I would certainly be questioning it.I would be anonymously asking the dealer (or maybe another in the same group) what the warranty on shocks is, and if its two years, either asking for a replacement by the skin of your teeth, or at least holding out for a goodwill gesture. If its only covered for one year, suck it up?
For what it's worth, the Bilstein B4's I stuck on my E46 six years and 70k ago are still going strong, on the front, although I had the rears replaced just last week as the top mount failed and the dampers where pretty tired.
NDT said:
Yes, two year warranty and it failed the MoT on this 2 years and 1 week after they were replaced. Dealer has hinted at the possibility of a goodwill contribution from BMW UK. Sounds unlikely though.
Interestingly I can find a Monroe damper with the right part number on autodoc for half the price of the BMW part.
even if you are at 2 years now, clearly that has failed some time ago.Interestingly I can find a Monroe damper with the right part number on autodoc for half the price of the BMW part.
That's pretty s
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