How to detect shock absorber issue?

cooa99 · Post by **cooa99** » Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:49 pm

When the Front wheel on passenger side hits a pot hole or I go fast over a speed bump, you can feel the vibration transferred across the whole car. Apart from that I get no issues.

Am I correct in thinking this a suspension strut issue or something else?

Assuming strut, I was going to have the unit(+mounting,bearing) changed on both sides. Is it important to change the springs as well?

Its a 3.0d with 200k miles on the clock so not so keen on spending too much on it considering I plan to replace the car maybe in the next 15months or costly issue arises such that I just get rid of the car. After-all Ive had my monies worth on it after 15 yrs of ownership

Looking at ebay, there are no shortage of new suspension kits to buy. Does it have to branded?

I have been looking out for a similar aged 3.0 Petrol to buy to tie me over but they seem to be gold dust at the moment!

Thanks

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:30 pm

Could be a damper issue. If I remember the theory correctly, if you force the suspension down on that side (pressing hard in the wing- but not so you dent it!) the car should rise and stop with almost no other movement. Check it with the other side.

3.0i E53’s were very rare. Most petrol versions were the V8s. I think when it got to the E70 version, BMW didn’t bother importing a petrol version other than the X5M (V8 twin turbo) because diesel sales far outstripped petrol with the E53 in the UK.

There should be no need to replace the springs unless they are cracked. You should also replace the auxiliary damper (at the top of each gas strut) inside the gaiter, and the clamping nut.

BMW do recommend replacing both damper on cars with more than 100,000km if one side fails.

The vibration could also be suspension bushes so they would warrant investigation as well.

cooa99 · Post by **cooa99** » Wed Aug 23, 2023 1:16 am

Thanks X5Sport,

I tried pressing down and it hardly moved down and up. same thing on the other side. No bounce at all. I'll pay for diagnostics to check for all suspensions issues up front before buying any parts.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=31_0524

I was going to get these parts with strut and excluding springs . I am assuming that crack springs will be pretty much difficult to miss since there would be lots of noise with every little movement the car makes

cooa99 · Post by **cooa99** » Wed Aug 23, 2023 10:53 am

by the way, if I decide to dump this for either a 2005 - 2006 E53 V8 petrol or a similar year Range Rover sports Petrol, which of the two is better?

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Wed Aug 23, 2023 11:07 am

I've no experience of RRs, but V8 BMWs with miles do like to weep (or worse) oil ime. Still loved my 4.4, though.

cooa99 · Post by **cooa99** » Wed Aug 23, 2023 12:47 pm

I'll stay off the V8 and stick with this car for now, better the devil you know.....

I take it this is all suspension parts required from [url = https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126021769361 ... R57Z1aLEYg] this ebay listing? [/url]

I think there might be another damper that sears between bottom of spring and strut as well.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Wed Aug 23, 2023 4:59 pm

RealOEM will confirm the parts needed.

cooa99 · Post by **cooa99** » Thu Aug 24, 2023 10:04 am

Cheers

cooa99 · Post by **cooa99** » Thu Aug 24, 2023 5:17 pm

choice of 2 shock absorbers are Meyle £130, Sachs £200 and KYB £235

How reliable are Meyle for struts? If that's a no go then which is the better of the other 2 brands?

sapphireblack · Post by **sapphireblack** » Thu Aug 24, 2023 6:15 pm

If all are to OE spec then Meyle. Sachs brand is highly respected. I confess i dont know of KYB.

Lobster Pot · Post by **Lobster Pot** » Thu Aug 24, 2023 6:41 pm

I fitted meyle on my 5 series was solid product and if you use hd they come with 5 year guarantee

cooa99 · Post by **cooa99** » Thu Aug 24, 2023 7:43 pm

Unfortunately, I could not find the HD version of the Meyle. It's standard with 2yr warranty.

I think I'll stay away from the non HD version. a couple online searches suggest they are not so good

henrym3 · Post by **henrym3** » Sat Sep 23, 2023 9:03 pm

I put sachs on about 6 years ago which is what was fitted originally and got to 125k so assuming the new ones haven’t dropped in quality I will be happy with another 125k. Just had the b3 right hand shock bottom out on speed bumps and pot holes and have fitted an fk automotive suspension to that which has cured the problem but to be honest when removed and compressed by hand I couldn’t really notice any difference in the old ones.

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