Shock absorber misting

Technical Area Steering & Suspension
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  1. My model of MX-5 is: __MK3 NC 2.0 PRHT
  2. I’m based near: __ HULL
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __SHOCK ABSORBERS, car passed MOT today, only advisory was light oil misting on OSR shock absorber, figured if i’m changing one i might as well change all 4, anybody any recommendations as to which brand to get and where from, want something decent but no adjustable, lowering etc just standard. Cheers
1 Like
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Koni, a great replacement for the Billsteins… I believe BBR stock them

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I bought my car in August. Misting of the same was an advisory on my MOT 3 years ago. The last couple of years it has not been mentioned. The original Bilsteins remain. If it was a safety issue, surely it would be a fail (?)

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Give it a good clean using WD40, wipe down and check after a month or two. See how it looks then before deciding. It it’s no worse, clean it again before the next mot.

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I would make absolutely sure that the oil misting is coming from the shock. If it is, the situation unlikely to improve, so replacing all four is the best idea. I would probably replace just the two on that axle if the other two look good but they would obviously have to be exactly the same parts as those being replaced. The MK3 seems to need to be set up right, so assuming you are happy with the way it handles now, a chance that like for like will just be plug and play.

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As ‘portvalenil’ says it’s probably just slight misting, looks worse than it probably is when built up.
They allow a slight misting at MOT, clean it up and recheck in a few weeks. Obviously if the shock unit isn’t doing its job replace, in pairs.:+1:

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Thanks all for the info and advice, think I’ll give it a clean and see how it looks end of November time, examiner said he didn’t think the oil was coming from the top of the shock as it was only at the bottom, he said it may be the casing that’s become porous ?, anyway thanks again all, much appreciated.

1 Like
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I asked the very same question 6 years ago - Each year before the MOT I make sure the dampers are wiped clean and am still on the original Bilsteins with no handling issues and no more MOT advisories. I even asked Mazda EU Technical the question because at the time I paid for extended warranty and requested they replace them. Mazda tech also said its NOT an issue but a “feature” with Bilsteins and refused to replace them.