Self levelling rear shock absorbers for 07 SMax - €1500?

edzers

Hi!

Our 07 SMax (english import) failed the nct on suspension. The rear shocks have to be replaced. Took it to a few places (including ford) and apparently the shocks that are in it are "self levelling". For ford to replace them it will cost in the region of €1500. Ford said they would try the standard ones in them (cost €350!) however these worn't work as one of the screws is too small and will apparently "rattle". Any suggestions? Could I order the self levelling ones online and get a mechanic to fit? Hate spending so much money on an 07 car....

Thanks

Edzers

Cerebrum

There's a company in Poland that may be able to rebuild yours. I can't post links but search nagengast
You'll be without the car for weeks.

There are quite a few variants. If you could supply a part number, that'd be a great help.

edzers

thanks for that. The part number is 1481647. We only have the one car so can't be without it for weeks!

Thanks again

Edzers

Hellrazer

edzers wrote: »

Hi!

Our 07 SMax (english import) failed the nct on suspension. The rear shocks have to be replaced. Took it to a few places (including ford) and apparently the shocks that are in it are "self levelling". For ford to replace them it will cost in the region of €1500. Ford said they would try the standard ones in them (cost €350!) however these worn't work as one of the screws is too small and will apparently "rattle". Any suggestions? Could I order the self levelling ones online and get a mechanic to fit? Hate spending so much money on an 07 car....

Thanks

Edzers

Similar problem here with a Kia Sorrento.
1500 for rear shock because they were self levelling.

Replaced them with standard shocks--still failed.
Got on to some Uk forums and you have to replace the springs aswell because teh springs are softer due to the self levelling shocks.
Replaced with springs and its passed every year since(BTW I have the part numbers for teh Sorrento kit is anyone needs them)
Cost 110 for 2 springs and shocks for the Kia.

If Im not mistaken the same can be done for the smax.But you need to replace the springs aswell.

edzers

Thanks for reply. Ford are insistent they can't fit standard shocks and want 650 per shock!

Edzers

Cerebrum

edzers wrote: »

Thanks for reply. Ford are insistent they can't fit standard shocks and want 650 per shock!

Edzers

https://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/ford_s-max_rear_shock_absorber_standard_duty_self_leveling_from_2006_to_2015_f_1481674_c_554.htm

edzers

Thanks for all the replies. Ford have suggested that we change one of the rear shocks to start with and test the suspension then to see if it would pass the NCT. Is it not better to change both shocks?

Edzers

biko

Yes, it is recommended to change shocks in pairs.
If one is on the way out the chances of the other following suit are big.

CJhaughey

I believe that if it has HID lights self-levelling shocks are a requirement if they were originally fitted.

jca

CJhaughey wrote: »

I believe that if it has HID lights self-levelling shocks are a requirement if they were originally fitted.

Nah that simply isn't true. Factory fitted xenon lights are connected to the front suspension and the levelling is done within the light unit according to the movement of the front suspension.

rex-x

jca wrote: »

Nah that simply isn't true. Factory fitted xenon lights are connected to the front suspension and the levelling is done within the light unit according to the movement of the front suspension.

Some cars unfortunately do use the rear suspension for the hid levelling, it has a much greater effect than the front suspension on alignment

edzers

What are "HID lights"? Are these extra strong? The lights change when we go around corners, assuming then they are HID lights and are connected to rear shocks?

Thanks

Edzers

Cerebrum

edzers wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. Ford have suggested that we change one of the rear shocks to start with and test the suspension then to see if it would pass the NCT. Is it not better to change both shocks?

Edzers

As the poster above said; best changed in pairs. You could get through the NCT this year by replacing just one since there's a 30% test imbalance allowed, but you're far better off replacing in pairs.

Did you open the link I sent above? If you need help importing them (assuming they're correct for your VIN) send me a PM.

Cerebrum

edzers wrote: »

What are "HID lights"? Are these extra strong? The lights change when we go around corners, assuming then they are HID lights and are connected to rear shocks?

Thanks

Edzers

Yes, HID are extra bright and are focused through a special projector lens that looks like a half bubble or "fish eye".
They certainly will be integrated into the circuitry of the rear axle since the S-Max is a bit of a family workhorse and tilt at the front will often be down to how much weight is loaded at the rear, such as bike racks, prams and who knows what else family people load the car up with these days.
You can expect a load sensor to be present on the rear axle in conjunction with the self leveling suspension that integrate with the dynamic/adaptive front lighting.

jca

Cerebrum wrote: »

Yes, HID are extra bright and are focused through a special projector lens that looks like a half bubble or "fish eye".
They certainly will be integrated into the circuitry of the rear axle since the S-Max is a bit of a family workhorse and tilt at the front will often be down to how much weight is loaded at the rear, such as bike racks, prams and who knows what else family people load the car up with these days.
You can expect a load sensor to be present on the rear axle in conjunction with the self leveling suspension that integrate with the dynamic/adaptive front lighting.

You can expect a load sensor to be present? What does that mean? Is there a load sensor or not? If there is it will be attached to the rear axle so it won't matter one bit what spring/damper arrangement is in place. Why does the simplest query made on boards have to be analysed to the nth degree?

Cerebrum

Load sensor present front and rear on this model of Ford as correctly stated by rex-x et al.
I've already suggested to the OP a refurb or a cheaper link to the correct part.