Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2?

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Sun 15 May 2005 10:56
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - Ed666
2 Months ago I had my nsf shock absorber changed at service by renault.

It was not right from the moment they changed it. Ended up getting a 4 wheel alignment done as they recommended, which was all done at my expense. Car now drives as you would expect on decent flat roads, but on rough ground or over man hole covers you feel the car twitch. I think this has something to do with my front nearside tyre wearing excessively more than the rest of my tyres.

Would the change of a single shock absorber be the reason for this wear?

The car is a 1.6 X reg done 66k
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Thu 19 May 2005 12:13
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - Ed666
What are the typical results of changing just 1 shock absorber? In this case NSF.

My clio has had 1 NSF changed, and now doesn't like bumps on that left side at all. It twitches and needs corrective steering to go straight over potholes/bumps on that left side now.

Alignment is perfect, had 4 wheel computerised done a few weeks ago.


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Thu 19 May 2005 12:23
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - Galaxy
Unless the shock absorbers are both virtually new units and just one has failed, they should always be changed in pairs.

Putting a new one on one side with an old one on the other side on the same axle will do very interesting things to the handling, as you appear to have found out!
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Thu 19 May 2005 12:30
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - Ed666
ok

So i take it my renault dealer would of been well aware of the consequences when changing just one?

Is there an official Renault line on this or is it down to individual dealers?

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Thu 19 May 2005 14:39
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - tony@tooting
Shock absorbers are sold as "singles" unlike brake discs, that are normally sold as a pair. It is therefore up to the garage as to wether they advise the fitting of a pair or not. It is however regarded as good workshop practise, to fit them as a pair. This would also be the line by any shock manufacturer.

Regards Tony
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Thu 19 May 2005 16:43
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - doctorchris
I'm sure any main dealer would be aware that dampers are changed in pairs. As you would be paying there is a positive incentive for 2 to be fitted so fitting only one is very hard to understand.
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Thu 19 May 2005 16:58
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - Altea Ego
Its pretty bad practise to change 1 single shock absorber, and leave the other when you have 66k miles up, specially on front wheel drive car.

I would be right back to the dealer, I would point out its

-possibly unsafe
-has cost you money for an alignment check, when they knew what the possible cause could be.

I would collar the service manager and threaten to expose such poor practise and settle for free fitting (you pay for the part) of a new absorber on the other side
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Thu 19 May 2005 17:27
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - Ed666
OK many thanks for the info

I have booked it back in to them on Saturday for them to look at.

I have even been so far as to ring other Renault dealers, who have advised it is definitely not advised to change just 1!! So whats going on at Renault ....... I do not know

Regards

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Thu 19 May 2005 18:03
Change 1 Shock Absorber or 2? - blue_haddock
with brakes and shockers you should always fit in pairs.
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