dumb question regard airbag struts on MY08 D3

[PeterOZ]

Folks,


the airbag struts on my D3, 2.7L TDV6 MY08 build are the original ones fitted from new.


Obviouslt the ride quality is not what it once was. Last service I asked MR Auto to check them, they said they seemed to be ok :confused:


How do you really know they are ok or stuffed?


Can has had lower control arms done twice while under lease, been a while now though.


Has had very little off road use, couple of times on beach at Straddy.


thanks in advance
cheers
Peter

[BigJon]

How many km has it done? I replaced the front and rear complete strut / airbag assemblies on my Dad's Sport at about 125 000km. Externally they looked OK, but I left them upside down overnight and lots of oil drained out of one front and one rear strut. They were completely knackered.

[PeterOZ]

202,500km

[josh.huber]

You can look for oil leaks. Or pull them out disassemble and pump the shock by hand to feel if they are working

it's beer o clock

[BigJon]

202,500km

Replace them all. They will be worn out.

[PeterOZ]

Replace them all. They will be worn out.



that is my thoughts. I'm thinking of going right over the suspension & steering components and replacing bits.

[josh.huber]

If ya do replace them, pull them apart and see how bad they are. Will help others work out life span of the shock

it's beer o clock

[PeterOZ]

They will most like get thrown straight under my workshop

[Graeme]

If ya do replace them, pull them apart and see how bad they are. Will help others work out life span of the shock
The genuine D3 set that I fitted to my D4 lasted approx 65K where I drive. Testing by hand is waste of energy as it only proves that the shock is not siezed.

[josh.huber]

I disagree, especially if you have four, there a simple hydraulic item generally a failed shock with no oil left in it will not have a linear feel to it and become easy to extend at the last 100 mm of stroke. Each to there own

it's beer o clock

[Graeme]

Loss of oil due to a failed external seal is uncommon compared with worn-out piston seals which result in loss of performance, not oil.

[Geedublya]

Doesn't need a blown seal for the oil to be completely broken down and not performing and piston seals worn out. The shocks on my D3 weren't leaking and still had oil however it wallowed terribly. When the shocks were replaced we found cracks in the tops of the airbags which would have started leaking fairly soon. This was at 192000 km.

[Graeme]

Travelling my often bumpy and rutted gravel lane at 100 kph shows-up worn-out shocks which generally become totally useless within 10K kms of the first realisation that they're not working as well as they did originally.

[PeterOZ]

peed bumps are how I can tell the biggest difference. It used to swallow those where as now I feel I'm on a tas ferry in Bass strait.


Same for cornering, it wallows. Hey 202,000 + km is not bad!


As I have just had the engine replaced I might as well fix up the underneath parts as well and have a nice car again.


Just need to save up the $$$$ now :eek::angel: