Leaking shock absorber

lilskip

2011 Audi A5 failed NCT due to offside rear leaking shock absorber and was quoted €400. Seems incredibly high, but I have no clue tbh. Can anyone advise please?

Alanstrainor

Who quoted that? Audi? It'd be worth getting an independent mechanic to look at it. And keep in mind that it is best to replace both shocks on the same axle when one starts to go.

Stallingrad

Does seem high alright, it could be even more, if you are replacing one side you would do well to consider replacing the other side.

Hal1

A pair of shocks at a rough guess €160. Then fitting would be around €150. That quote is a bit on the high side but if there some magical audi shocks then it might be a reasonable price.

colm_mcm

For non Audi original shocks the likes of Boge or Sachs (same company), you're looking at around €105-155 for one shock.
For the cheapy cheap stuff you're looking around €60ish each.
You would get both Sachs rear shocks including fitting for under €400 if you got an independent mechanic to fit them.
That's based on it being a 2.0 TDI 170 Coupe.

lilskip

Thank you for all so much for your responses.

It wasn't through Audi, its an independent mechanic.

It is an 2.0 TFSI 180 Coupe.

Was expecting approx. €200, no basis for that though really.

biko

Maybe you got quoted for two very highend shocks and labour.

colm_mcm

Here are the different options micksgarage throws up. I'm not an expert but far as I know, Sachs and KYB are the best ones there.
http://www.micksgarage.com/search/shock%20absorbers/audi/audi%20a5/a5%202007%20onwards/2.0%20tfsi/180?fffBrand=Sachs~~~OPTIMAL~~~MEYLE~~~KYB~~~Boge

At this stage of the cars life, you'd be better off finding a good independent garage or VW specialist to service and maintain your car.

lilskip

Breakdown was €260 for the pair of rear shocks and then €140 for labour ... he said he quoted with top end shocks and that is why they're so expensive.

Is it unusual that I would need brand new shocks if car is only 5 years old, and also if one was just leaking, is it necessary to replace it - can a leak not be repaired - or is it just worthwhile to replace it now rather than keep repairing?

Was hoping a plaster would do the job

Thanks all for advice btw.

jca

lilskip wrote: »

Breakdown was €260 for the pair of rear shocks and then €140 for labour ... he said he quoted with top end shocks and that is why they're so expensive.

Is it unusual that I would need brand new shocks if car is only 5 years old, and also if one was just leaking, is it necessary to replace it - can a leak not be repaired - or is it just worthwhile to replace it now rather than keep repairing?

Was hoping a plaster would do the job

Thanks all for advice btw.

The shocks are sealed units that can't be stripped. Normally the shaft in the centre corrodes and tears the seal so there's no point in replacing the seal.

colm_mcm

so that price for 2. that's not that bad.

it's wise to change in pairs as the handling of the car might be affected. plus the other one was probably in similar condition.

lilskip

Okay feel more learned now. Thanks so much

CiniO

jca wrote: »

The shocks are sealed units that can't be stripped. Normally the shaft in the centre corrodes and tears the seal so there's no point in replacing the seal.

Shocks can be repaired or rather remanufactured is probably better word.

Only issue is amount of labour involved and in Ireland considering high labour cost, it's not financially viable.

In countries with cheap labour, remanufacturing shock absorbers is very popular, and often they are actually better after remanufacturing than when new.
I remember it was quite common practice in Poland in the 80 and 90's. Not anymore now. I got a set in early 2000 made by guy who used to do that, and they worked great.

Alanstrainor

If they were good brand shocks, I don't think it's a bad price at all.

jca

CiniO wrote: »

Shocks can be repaired or rather remanufactured is probably better word.

Only issue is amount of labour involved and in Ireland considering high labour cost, it's not financially viable.

In countries with cheap labour, remanufacturing shock absorbers is very popular, and often they are actually better after remanufacturing than when new.
I remember it was quite common practice in Poland in the 80 and 90's. Not anymore now. I got a set in early 2000 made by guy who used to do that, and they worked great.

I've seen front shocks being remanufactured but never rear ones. Getting the correct size seals was always difficult they seemed to use odd ball sizes. If the main slider is pitted you're doomed.

ofcork

Very poor for a 5 year old car though.

CiniO

ofcork wrote: »

Very poor for a 5 year old car though.

Very poor that shock started leaking?

What car age has to do with that?

If car was driven on bumpy roads for 250k km in those 5 years, then I think it's very good result that shock absorber made it that long.

Other car might be 15 year old, and still have good shock absorbers, as it possibly only travelled 100k km only on motorways. And possibly it's shock might last another 15 years.

galwaytt

ofcork wrote: »

Very poor for a 5 year old car though.

why poor ? what has age got to do with it ? It's about mileage, and the nature of the mileage (roads).

I saw a 161 Ford outside the door today with 16k kms on it already.....age means nothing.

JohnBoy26

Monroe are good shock absorbers and are usually reasonably priced.

JohnBoy26

ofcork wrote: »

Very poor for a 5 year old car though.

Age isn't always the reason a shock fails though. The mileage and the type of roads the car traveled on would have more of a bearing on it. A shock can also just go faulty.