Do worn front dampers always leak?

Bolin · 18th June 2014, 07:11

As titled, I have suspected for a while that my front dampers are worn, but thee is no leakage.

So does this mean that they are fine, or can they be worn without oil leakage?

Ta, Bolin

Doc Evil · 18th June 2014, 07:25

Yes they can try pushing down the offending corner if it bounces rather than return and stop then they need replacing

Bolin · 18th June 2014, 08:14

Thanks, but your reply confuses me slightly - you say they can but do they ALWAYS leak if worn?

I.E. can they they be worn without leaking?

Bounce test seems OK to me, but the ride is not as if one has totally failed, just worn perhaps?

chrissyboy · 18th June 2014, 08:56

it is my understanding that when they are weak its because they have lost some fluid so i would say yes to your question

Doc Evil · 18th June 2014, 09:32

Sorry was writing fast on blackberry as at work
They don't always leak oil to fail an ingress of air can soften them but as the molecules of air are smaller than liquid molecules the air goes in but the oil doesn't come passed the seals
If you are unhappy with them have a look and see if they appear old if so they probably are old and past their prime so change them, you will notice the difference
Doc

rrobson · 18th June 2014, 09:45

The damper on mine was completely shot but had no evidence of leakage, which was obviously the first thing I looked for. So I'd say it's not always cut and dry

chrissyboy · 18th June 2014, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrobson

The damper on mine was completely shot but had no evidence of leakage, which was obviously the first thing I looked for. So I'd say it's not always cut and dry

believe it or not i have never had a car that the dampers have gone i find that amazing since i have had in the region of 120 cars, but ones i have seen replaced in the garage have all been wet.

BigRuss · 18th June 2014, 10:40

Colin worn dampers don't always leak over time as above the ingress of air and the breakdown of the oil causes them to be not as efficient as they once were.

If you look at the length that the damper rod protrudes on a new one and compare it to a used one ( without the springs fitted) you will see that it's longer and when depressed will return to it's full extent fairly quickly again compare this to the old one and you will see that it returns slower.

Russ

Bolin · 18th June 2014, 13:24

Thanks folks

That being the case I do suspect that mine have worn - I'm think the ride isn't as good as it used to be and I rode in a 75 that had new dampers in the last 2 years which I think felt better, plus it doesn't do the 'thumping' thing hat mine does if you pull away sharply with the wheels turned.

Dashiel · 18th June 2014, 15:14

mine were completely seized with no sign of oil (through a car wash?)
so no.
if a damper is 13 years old with 100k on it you can assume it needs inspection. Spring off time.

18th June 2014, 07:11	#1
Bolin This is my second home Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE 4dr manual Wedgewood Blue 2 04-05/06/2001 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N.E. Hampshire Posts: 4,617 Thanks: 289 Thanked 308 Times in 243 Posts	Do worn front dampers always leak? As titled, I have suspected for a while that my front dampers are worn, but thee is no leakage. So does this mean that they are fine, or can they be worn without oil leakage? Ta, Bolin __________________ "...the new Rover 75, which is a fabulous car......I think it looks fabulous....It's like sitting in a Rolls Royce......For me, this is the star of the show.....it looks so good" - J. Clarkson, motoring journalist on the launch of the Rover 75 in 1998.

18th June 2014, 07:25	#2
Doc Evil Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8 Classic Saloon Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Newton Abbot Posts: 823 Thanks: 46 Thanked 175 Times in 144 Posts	Yes they can try pushing down the offending corner if it bounces rather than return and stop then they need replacing __________________ NOT EVIL REALLY BUT REALLY A DOC

18th June 2014, 08:14	#3
Bolin This is my second home Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE 4dr manual Wedgewood Blue 2 04-05/06/2001 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N.E. Hampshire Posts: 4,617 Thanks: 289 Thanked 308 Times in 243 Posts	Thanks, but your reply confuses me slightly - you say they can but do they ALWAYS leak if worn? I.E. can they they be worn without leaking? Bounce test seems OK to me, but the ride is not as if one has totally failed, just worn perhaps? __________________ "...the new Rover 75, which is a fabulous car......I think it looks fabulous....It's like sitting in a Rolls Royce......For me, this is the star of the show.....it looks so good" - J. Clarkson, motoring journalist on the launch of the Rover 75 in 1998.

18th June 2014, 08:56	#4
chrissyboy This is my second home lovely little ford focus. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: East Dulwich Posts: 7,877 Thanks: 2 Thanked 82 Times in 68 Posts	it is my understanding that when they are weak its because they have lost some fluid so i would say yes to your question __________________ [ I'm really confused. -I keep dreaming I'm an insomniac

18th June 2014, 09:32	#5
Doc Evil Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8 Classic Saloon Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Newton Abbot Posts: 823 Thanks: 46 Thanked 175 Times in 144 Posts	Sorry was writing fast on blackberry as at work They don't always leak oil to fail an ingress of air can soften them but as the molecules of air are smaller than liquid molecules the air goes in but the oil doesn't come passed the seals If you are unhappy with them have a look and see if they appear old if so they probably are old and past their prime so change them, you will notice the difference Doc __________________ NOT EVIL REALLY BUT REALLY A DOC

18th June 2014, 09:45	#6
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,643 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	The damper on mine was completely shot but had no evidence of leakage, which was obviously the first thing I looked for. So I'd say it's not always cut and dry __________________ How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available

18th June 2014, 10:40	#8
BigRuss Premium Trader 75 CDT Tourer,2.5 Launch Saloon, Omipro MG/Rover (T4) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liversedge, West Yorkshire Posts: 5,405 Thanks: 1,105 Thanked 1,340 Times in 661 Posts	Colin worn dampers don't always leak over time as above the ingress of air and the breakdown of the oil causes them to be not as efficient as they once were. If you look at the length that the damper rod protrudes on a new one and compare it to a used one ( without the springs fitted) you will see that it's longer and when depressed will return to it's full extent fairly quickly again compare this to the old one and you will see that it returns slower. Russ __________________ Replacement Key Service http://https://the75andztclub.co.uk/...d.php?t=244732 Full T4 Testbook diagnostics available. Diesel ECU repair and replacement. Options enabled or disabled as required. Diesel X-Power 135 and 160bhp, Rover 1.8T 150 to 160 MG 160 V6 to 177 upgrades available P.M. for details.

18th June 2014, 13:24	#9
Bolin This is my second home Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE 4dr manual Wedgewood Blue 2 04-05/06/2001 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N.E. Hampshire Posts: 4,617 Thanks: 289 Thanked 308 Times in 243 Posts	Thanks folks That being the case I do suspect that mine have worn - I'm think the ride isn't as good as it used to be and I rode in a 75 that had new dampers in the last 2 years which I think felt better, plus it doesn't do the 'thumping' thing hat mine does if you pull away sharply with the wheels turned. __________________ "...the new Rover 75, which is a fabulous car......I think it looks fabulous....It's like sitting in a Rolls Royce......For me, this is the star of the show.....it looks so good" - J. Clarkson, motoring journalist on the launch of the Rover 75 in 1998.

18th June 2014, 15:14	#10
Dashiel Posted a thing or two Rover 75 V6 2.0 Club Tourer LPG Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South East Posts: 1,405 Thanks: 3 Thanked 39 Times in 34 Posts	mine were completely seized with no sign of oil (through a car wash?) so no. if a damper is 13 years old with 100k on it you can assume it needs inspection. Spring off time.