My near-side rear shock is hanging limp - oil everywhere. I'm guessing this is what's causing the rear quarter of the car to ... i dunno, flobber? like jelly anyway!

Some questions:
What are 'good' shocks to buy. My car's a daily driver, tows a bit, load her full of junk when camping.
Should I just replace the damage one or do all four? (the near-side front is wobbly too)
While I have them off, would it be fun to drive over some speed bumps?

Thats the one that keeps popping off on mums 2cvCity chassis. Ideally you should replace Near and Off side at the same time.

I thought fitting in pairs would be sensible as I guess they wear at the same rate.



hmmm... It's not hanging off the chassis, just lost its mojo, gone all flacid and dribbly But none-the-less still attached. I'm putting it down to the pothole I hit, it was clearly too much shock to absorb, thus it died in the process.

I will definately check the mounts though. On a 2cv City chassis, are the shocks attached using the double threaded bolt things like on the original chassis or are they held on with normal bolts?

Sam,
if the dampers are Allinquant/Lipmesa type, which have plastic dust covers, those can be pulled back to inspect the condition of the rod.
In most cases, it's pitting of the hard chroming on the rod which leads to failure of the end seal and leakage, rather than impact.

Hence the advice when fitting new Allinquant/Lipmesa dampers to pop the sleeves back and grease those rods...

ken
(p.s. 'double threaded bolt things' = 'studs' )

I don't know how the proper one is attached but it's always the front mount and it's a bolt with a shaped washer either side of the shock.

IIRC 2cv city just use a bolt which usually snaps and is then a complete bastard to remove. In my experience Lipmesa dampers are the best I've used and are the only ones that have made the car drive like a 2cv. I've bight cheapo shocks for my yellow 2cv and my ami8 before and they don't feel very nice.

You have to go a long way to beat batteurs though.

One of the UK big 2 sells shockabsorbers that work the other sells ones that fit.
Limpesa/Aquillant or Boge if you can find them.
A drive over a speed bump without shockabsorbers? youll hardly notice its a surprisingly well set up chassis, dont expect to be "po-go-ing" down the street

Sean

Dampers are not immortal. They have a service life, gradually decreasing in effectiveness, until they aren't actually doing very much. Sometimes, they fail drastically and leak oil - but they're usually long dead by this stage.

Unfortunately, the MOT here doesn't actually test for effectiveness, only for that drastic long-dead failure.

Do all four. You'll be gobsmacked at the difference.

I have batteurs on the front of my F reg, makes a big difference to the feel of the car.....Highly recommended.

Interesting?

I wouldn't, it only attracts more dirt. Most shockies last a very long time dry as bone. Clean them at every service is what I do.
Yes Lip is top product and also change as pair.