Should shock absorbers really be done in pairs?

Should shock absorbers really be done in pairs?

Author
Discussion

Tasmin200

1,332 posts

202 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
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Tony1963 said:
I probably would too, but if someone else chose not to, for good reasons, I wouldn’t criticise them.
Neither would I, and I didn't. I don't really give a st one way or the other, it's not my car. But the OP asked others for an opinion.

Tony1963

5,687 posts

177 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
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And Internet forums are great for opinions! smile

wyson

3,528 posts

119 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
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I replaced just one shock on the rear of my car. The other one started weeping oil a couple of thousand miles later.

So I think it depends. If its fair wear and tear, because your car has done 80k miles on them, I would replace the pair.

If its a new set of shocks and one went after 10k miles because of a manufacturing defect or you hit a curb etc., I would just replace the broken one.

Edited by wyson on Monday 2nd August 17:13

cdrick4

103 posts

131 months

Thursday 12th August 2021
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I ordered Bilstein shocks from 4wheelonline to replace the fronts because I already have a lot of hard miles on them and the left one is already leaking oil.

Tony1963

5,687 posts

177 months

Thursday 12th August 2021
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cdrick4 said:
I ordered Bilstein shocks from 4wheelonline to replace the fronts because I already have a lot of hard miles on them and the left one is already leaking oil.
Meaningless. So what?

mmm-five

11,757 posts

299 months

Thursday 12th August 2021
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Tony1963 said:
Meaningless. So what?
It's either a bot or a spammer, as their posts tend to include a link to 4wheelsonline (a US company) - whether it's for tires, wheels or suspension...doesn't seem to realise most of the questions are from European users.

bmwmike

7,802 posts

123 months

Thursday 12th August 2021
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My 5 series needed a new shock on the rear and when I was paying for it, Sytner said they had to be replaced in pairs. When it turned out the warranty would cover it, only one side needed doing. I checked on bmwtis (bmw technical bulletin thingy) and it said under 50k single is fine, over 50k miles should be replaced as a pair. My mileage was 49k but sytner could only book an appointment for after my holiday, which as it happened was in france and we were taking the car. Got the pair changed after all. ha.