Rear bump stops? New shocks leaking (TJ Sedan strut/shock absorber)

[Ricciardo]

Can't think of any possible reasons for failure... I see there are rubber bump stops so I don't think they bottom out [I want to buy new ones but cannot find what to get, can someone link a pair?]; left-rear started leaking ~2 months ago, right-rear seems to have started leaking very recently - probably has only driven 6000-9000km with new suspension setup

If it's not too late to cancel the order, do yourself a favour and buy a set of Koni Reds.

It is too late Not sure I want a firmer ride though it is already MUCH firmer than original [speed bumps quite harsh on the front at least]. Anyway I literally just picked one up yesterday (thinking only the LR shock was failed but as I jacked car up yesterday to replace it, the RR is very visibly leaking somewhat profusely, small pool of oil on driveway today... it wasn't leaking a week ago when car was hoisted for tyre change it only had this red sandy/sugary looking material visible, LR has been leaking for a while at that point)

LEFT-REAR (been leaking for at least 2months)
RIGHT-REAR (1 week ago, leaking now)

it's a goddam nightmare, just what I needed after spending past 5 days prepping and painting a salvaged VRX body kit/rear bumper for my TJ no time to relax

@Spetz , mitsfix msgd me saying it is past 'one year since purchase' (even tho mitsfix store says all warranties are BACK TO BASE and manufacturer warranty is longer than 1 year, I don't understand) so I have to go directly to Sachs/ZF + and incorrect installation voids it

[Ricciardo]

images didn't work, here is link https://imgur.com/a/2fn30aC ,
1: LEFT-REAR (been leaking for at least 2months)
2: RIGHT-REAR (as of 1 week ago, it started leaking since then)

[leadfoot6]

images didn't work, here is link https://imgur.com/a/2fn30aC ,
1: LEFT-REAR (been leaking for at least 2months)
2: RIGHT-REAR (as of 1 week ago, it started leaking since then)

Use Imagevenue.

https://www.imagevenue.com/

Its a snap, even for a computer phobe like me.

[Ricciardo]

hmm I'll try my luck go for the Koni's, will contact the automotivesuperstore see if I can return for change of mind ($230 for new rears seemed good), luckily the 2nd damper I tried ordering yesterday payment wouldn't go thru haha. Also going to contact ZF Services Australia Pty. Ltd (Sachs) and see what they can do about my dead dampers.

Granted the rear susp. benefits on AWD will be more pronounced I don't expect too much of a difference just something better quality. Got a TJ VRX with dead trans in my front yard I think they have a rear sway bar might put it on my TJ sometime next year.

BTW don't you experience that almost cringey harshness on the front end on sharp speed bumps, the need to slow down noticeably more than other cars on normal speed bumps? Other than that the car handles great in corners and like the feedback on smooth roads. Also perhaps the renewed bushings etc. contribute to the better handling characteristics that you might be incorrectly attributing to the konis seeing as u got them installed simultaneously

and yea lots of newer cars these days are rubbish, you got euro trash wallet drainers and ever-increasing SUV new car sales, it makes me feel physically ill; if I had to id go with a 2 door sports car or kia stinger MX5 GT86 WRX even a VF or FG falcon etc. that's just me but I want to be driving maggie for the next 10 years at least.

[an observer]

Leadfoot, in my situation i am replacing just the shocks... would koni reds on the front match to a stock height spring, and how much firmer would the ride likely be?

Much as im loathe to admit it, im at the age where the car has to be comfortable to just puddle about in.

[Ricciardo]

would koni reds on the front match to a stock height spring, and how much firmer would the ride likely be?

Not sure anyone sells koni's for magna front end anymore. Koni yellows (more performance oriented than reds) for fronts were popular seem to be all gone now. At stock spring height should still be plenty comfortable compared to lowered stiffened spring. If comfort is only concern could go with any other brand that others have used on their magna like Monroe (OEM?)

[Ricciardo]

Warranty for sachs dampers seems to be 3 years/60000km I just called ZF Australia and say I have to go thru the seller. Will contact mitsfix again, not sure why he told me to go directly to them

[an observer]

Thanks Ricciardo. Spoke to mechanic this arvo, he uses sachs (over monroe wylie) and insists there'd be no issue getting warranty if they leaked. Luck of the draw?

I suggested koni and he thought they would be too hard for my use. Which is standard ride height and springs.

Havent seen his quite yet, but he promised it would hurt. Guess he DOES have a boat to support...

[Ricciardo]

finally found some useful shock absorber / damper failure info [testing image linking]

[leadfoot6]

Can't think of any possible reasons for failure... I see there are rubber bump stops so I don't think they bottom out [I want to buy new ones but cannot find what to get, can someone link a pair?]; left-rear started leaking ~2 months ago, right-rear seems to have started leaking very recently - probably has only driven 6000-9000km with new suspension setup



It is too late Not sure I want a firmer ride though it is already MUCH firmer than original [speed bumps quite harsh on the front at least]. Anyway I literally just picked one up yesterday (thinking only the LR shock was failed but as I jacked car up yesterday to replace it, the RR is very visibly leaking somewhat profusely, small pool of oil on driveway today... it wasn't leaking a week ago when car was hoisted for tyre change it only had this red sandy/sugary looking material visible, LR has been leaking for a while at that point)

LEFT-REAR (been leaking for at least 2months)
RIGHT-REAR (1 week ago, leaking now)

it's a goddam nightmare, just what I needed after spending past 5 days prepping and painting a salvaged VRX body kit/rear bumper for my TJ no time to relax

@Spetz , mitsfix msgd me saying it is past 'one year since purchase' (even tho mitsfix store says all warranties are BACK TO BASE and manufacturer warranty is longer than 1 year, I don't understand) so I have to go directly to Sachs/ZF + and incorrect installation voids it

It is too late Not sure I want a firmer ride though it is already MUCH firmer than original [speed bumps quite harsh on the front at least].

What you are experiencing is a mismatch between the spring rate and the rate of damping that the shock absorbers(the technically correct term for shock absorbers is "dampers" - but Australians seem loath to use it) are specified at.

The lowered Dobinsons springs are made of stiffer/thicker coil winds to stop the car bottoming out due to the reduced ride height.

Your current Sachs parts are "underdamped" and the valving in them is not firm enough to contain the energy in the spring.

That's why I turfed mine after less than 10,000km.

But they didn't leak.

Yes, my car rides firmer.....but it is CONTROLLED BETTER by using the Konis, both on "bump"(compression stroke) and "rebound"(expansion stroke).

Anyway, I had a wheel alignment done 2 weeks ago at Bob Jane Nowra as the fronts were wearing too much on the outer edges.....

.....too much toe in(front and rear) at the last wheel alignment 12 months ago at Mitsfix.

$75 at B J's including 2 tyres rotated(the LHS which I did not bother to do myself after my episode with the stripped wheel stud).

See the image below for the current settings.


The car is significantly improved, especially through the twisty Kiama Bends.

I am now fully used to the bigger 22mm rear anti sway bar, and the new alignment seems to be really complementing it.

Very slightly less stable at the straight ahead(due to less toe in-crosswinds a little more noticeable), but better in the corners.

And still arrow straight.

My car is lowered about 30mm front and rear on Dobinsons Low.

No camber bolts or other trickery at this stage, other than most bushes/control arms having been renewed.

It's still a big, heavy car(and the driver is not helping in this respect), but gradually it is really starting to behave itself.

Under almost all situations, it just such a pleasure to drive.

I have got absolutely no idea what could replace it if it were ever stolen/written off etc.





(click on image to enlarge)



(image 1&2 - standard ride height & stock 16" wheels prior to lowering 3 years ago.....last image as it is now on 17" VRX wheels)