Rear shock mount, do these look knackered??

[buze]

Since the garage told me I needed new ones, I've learned all I could about these as I planned to change them myself. How to access them too -- I'm no longer a *complete* newb on *that* topic, and I've been wondering how the hell did they manage to check the mounts without removing the carpet and so on... As I had booked a service I didn't imagine them crawling inside the car and do that sort of 'check'...

Needless to say, I therefore removed the carpet and had a peek -- to me, these look in pretty good nick actually -- what to the expert say? a LITTLE bit of rust on one nut, and it looks like they've been changed fairly reasonably recently... Certainly not 18 years old originals...

Opinion? Did the 'BMW specialist' garage make that one up?

 

[GazHyde]

Cant tell you until you've removed the top nut and washer. You can then see if the rubber has started to deteriorate away from the metal core and surround.

 

[t-tony]

Only way to see if there is excessive movement in the bushes without going inside the car is to jack up the car till the wheel is an inch off the floor then put a long bar under the tyre and lift the wheel. See how much movement there is at the top of the shocker. This is the only check an M.O.T. Tester can use as we are NOT allowed to strip or remove any panels or upholstery. Sounds like they maybe use the old "if the car is that old it will need them regardless" type of inspection.

Tony.

 

[GazHyde]

I'd put money on them being original and needing replacing.

 

[t-tony]

You could well be right Gaz, but if you look closely at the thread of the shocker itself it looks as though that nut has been wound over the yellow paint to me either to check how bad they are or to replace them at some point.

Tony.

 

[mwpe]

Now that you have got that far, you are only a few minutes away from taking them out for a proper look.

 

[buze]

Oh well, and if I'm minutes away from removing the top nut, I might as well change them at the same time!

So, what do I buy? the expensive PowerFlex blue ones, the 'Uprated' one from eBay, or the Mele?

Oh, and I might as well change the shocks as well I suppose -- any suggestions on what to get?

 

[GazHyde]

We've fitted a lot of the Lemforder ones from GSF which are perfectly fine as an OE replacement. Meyle are a good brand but no need for poly unless you plan to drive it hard.

 

[dva99999]

I fitted these about a year ago as recommended by others on the forum
http://www.ca-automotive.co.uk/prod...eXBlPXozJmNhdF9pZD0xMTEmY29tcF9pZD0xNg==.html

Very easy job....