Hi
Found some fluid under the car this morning… is this a damper leaking ?
any advice appreciated
Certainly looks like it from that photo. I assume that the brake pedal is still firm.
It looks like it.
I assume you’ve touched it and smelled it to check its not a spray of brake fluid from that hose? (That much would show as being low in the master cylinder reservoir.)
If the damper has gone that corner will be very soft on the bounce test compared with the others.
(On mine however the dampers and springs are so stiff that the wing threatens to bend under my hand before I can try any movement of the car for the usual bounce test.)
Thanks for the input i shall check the brake fluid this morning
Assuming it is the dampers, if one is leaking do all four now need replacing ?
- The car is a fresh import and the dealer said that all all four shock absorber/spring units were replaced with good used UK items.
Thanks
Take it back to the dealer (Goodwood) and insist that he not put cars on the road with scrapyard parts. He has no excuse except penny pinching, because new parts are still available, and are inexpensive. Generally replace in at least pairs across an axle, though if you are happy him fitting scrap yard parts, one will do. Whats the definition of a “good used” shock absorber?
The brake fluid reservoir is still showing full & the pebble feels normal.
Bouncing the car on each corner also seems ok !
Here’s another view point :
- Is there supposed to be a “stick out” bit at the bottom of the spring ?
Re “good used” shocks… here’s a shot of the rear, should i be concerned with how this looks, or is it just surface rust, not affecting the effectiveness ?
Thanks for your input
I have raised the leak with the dealer… awaiting his reply
It no longer looks like a damper leak, the top appears dry in that photo. Not sure what the sticky out bit is either. Looks odd.
I am surprised that there would have been a need to replace all the shocks to be honest.
Can see why used items would be used as one new standard shock costs more that the trade would get four good used complete units(shock, spring and mount) for.
MX5parts = £92+ and delivery for one standard Mazda shock, so new standard shocks and equivalent springs all round would cost around £600 delivered.
That particular corner looks to have a very clean spring with no corrosion but clearly the shock needs replacing. Initially they mist hydraulic fluid under pressure which accounts for the coating over a big area. Catastrophic failure with all the fluid dumped would probably occur if that corner were to be driven over a large pothole or dropped off a ramp.
Have to say that the rear shocks look a little rusty but this could well be where the car has been jetwashed and surface rust has formed. The base of the shock can look pretty crusty on old parts but it will be the seal at the top where any leak will start.
A good shock to my mind is one that works efficiently and shows no signs of a leak. Good cosmetic appearance is desirable but I would rather inherit suspension units with clean corrosion free springs and then hydrate 80 and paint up a less than perfect shock casing.
Horses for courses - if you want perfect standard suspension, cost as specified and a couple of hours to fit. Its an old MX5 so where do you draw the line - bushes, brakes, control arms, etc - easy to get carried away when the current spec will work perfectly well for you. Any issue with suspension will be immediately obvious when driving. That suspension unit will probably perform satisfactorily under normal driving conditions until sufficient fluid has been expelled to undermine its operation.
I’m guessing that’s the near side front with the leak. If so check the power steering fluid. I’m guessing it has power steering as it’s an import. The cooling pipe corrodes and then fluid would run to the back of the engine undertray and spray onto that part of the suspension.
Just a thought.
D
One common reason is that the imports arrive with shocks completely unsuited to British roads (ie. race shocks).
Brand new pattern shock is £30-35 plus VAT each, versus £20 for a used one from the same source. Those are prices to the public, before any trade discount is applied (indeed before an OC discount is applied). I have more faith in a new Chinese shock than a 25 year old Japanese one. The top hats only really collapse in high mileage cars, and the UK donor will have more miles than the fresh import. A Fresh import is touted as “rust free”, so the springs should not need replacing, unless they are the afore mentioned race spec.
When a car is being retailed for top money, this seems unnecessary penny pinching, given the uncertainty of used shocks. Those “good” used shocks look like they’ve been lying in the mud. But on the other hand, this is no different from the entire motor trade, as a practice. Maybe they are fine, “good enough”. But even Bob Hall recommends MX5 shocks should be changed out at 60k miles.
I spent 3 hours of my time fitting a set of ‘good used’ standard suspension units from a heavier MK2.5 car to our 1992 Eunos.
It raised the height of the car which may be a cosmetic compromise but perfectly suits the roads down here in Devon. The suspension is tighter than MK1 presumably because of the car’s weight reduction(MK2.5 to MK1) and I can honestly say it couldn’t have worked out better. The car drives superbly on it and no problems up to now, 3 years down the line at a cost of £80 for complete units - so much easier to deal with. The original lowered suspension was no better to drive on and the bottoming out and lower ride height were not appropriate on our roads.
Not saying I would never buy cheap Chinese suspension parts but whilst there are ‘good OEM units’ available at minimal cost with a proven track record, that is the way I would go.
I imagine that most drivers do not inspect or maintain their suspension which is why it rusts and starts to look poor after 10 years or so. Whilst corrosion to shock cases looks dreadful, its impact on the shock is nil until the rust eats through the entire skin. I suspect that rust on springs has far more impact. Certainly worth cleaning these parts up, rust killing, painting and protecting them.
I would say that the OP has had bad luck with this shock and obviously the professional seller should put it right for him. It certainly does not mean that people should be dissuaded from fitting ‘good used’ units in my opinion.
The dealer is being helpful… wants a local garage to have look
Can anyone recommend a Mx5 specialist near Peterborough ?
…if its brake fluid (which is just below maximum) I assume its best not to drive too far ?
Did you check the power assisted steering fluid level?
Thanks for that I have just checked (I havent had an mx5 with power steering before) … and its below the minimum !
I shall pass that to the dealer …thanks again
My guess would be a leak in the cooling pipe. I had the same a couple of months ago. Link to the part from mx5 parts below.
http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/power-steering-fluid-cooler-pipe-mk1-p-1947.html
Well its been confirmed by a local garage that it was the shock…
Photos taken by garage :
So the lack of steering fluid and as it turns out coolant !..was a coincidence
quote=EnthusiasmCurbed;696957]
Well its been confirmed by a local garage that it was the shock…
So the lack of steering fluid and as it turns out coolant !..was a coincidence
[/quote]
Have to say that after our various theories about the shocks, i thought Coombemartian had nailed it with his power steering theory.
You need to check the power steering though - the level in the reservoir should not drop. It will only show low if there has been a leak or in the unlikely event that it was not filled up properly. In your position I would start at the steering rack and check all unions and pipework for leaks.
Coolant does occasionally need topping up but any significant loss over a short space of time indicates a leak or possibly head gasket failure. As this is a new car to you I would top up and check all likely areas of concern and monitor regularly.
Thanks for the advice I shall monitor both.
My local garage has quoted £585 for the front shocks to be replaced … which seems very high to me
I’m tempted to get new shocks and springs all round, given the “used” nature of the current, which is why I am tempted by Wheels in motion Chesham, but is 90 miles away (from Peterborough)
I would appreciate any recommendations
It is obviously your choice as to what suspension you decide to fit but I guess the seller will only consider replacing the leaking shock with another secondhand unit.
That garage price is high but so is the cost of any new suspension. The cheapest solution without buying unknown chinese import parts is likely to cost at least £400 for springs and shocks on all four corners + labour to fit of course.
I wouldn’t be put off by the unfortunate problem with your shock. Get it replaced at the expense of the seller and get used to enjoying/driving the car for a while. A lot of MK1 cars quite happily being driven around on original shocks that do not leak - my 1997 for example.