Annacotty Business Park Limerick - speed ramp broke shocks

mansoff

I had to collect a package in parcel motel last week. The usual route in the business park was under construction so I had to take a detour around the back, where only the trucks usually go. Never did this route before, however I was behind a car in front of me and we passed about 6 ramps. On the seventh ramp the car in front slowed completely down, I was driving very slow, but not 1MPH like them. When I went over that ramp it was so steep the middle of my car underneath, scraped on the ramp. It was the steepest ramp I ever drove over. On my way back I had to go over that ramp again, this time I look at the safest part (which was no different from the middle) and went over it 1MPH hoping my car wouldn’t scrap it and luckily it didn’t. However the damage was done, front and back shocks broke. Any advice or can I get compensated by them. My insurance company said I can claim it would more than likely but up my insurance but she said best of luck trying to get them to pay for it. Damaged cost is about €500 for new shocks and labour it’s a BMW 3 series.

Vicxas

The problem is you'd need to prove those ramps did it.

And that would be tough.

ba_barabus

You'd have to be going fair hard to ruin all 4 shocks over a speed bump.

Sorry but the story as you've told it doesn't add up.

Why do you think you need 4 new shocks?

mloc123

Vicxas wrote: »

The problem is you'd need to prove those ramps did it.

And that would be tough.

It would be pretty tough to prove alright... since that didn't happen.

Your car can handle tens of thousand... maybe even hundreds of thousands of KMs with all the forces applied to the shock absorbers but going over a ramp once they just "break"?

cml387

mloc123 wrote: »

It would be pretty tough to prove alright... since that didn't happen.

Your car can handle tens of thousand... maybe even hundreds of thousands of KMs with all the forces applied to the shock absorbers but going over a ramp once they just "break"?

at exactly 1 mph

bmwguy

I was there yesterday too I know the detour and the ramps. Car is fine. Could be an underlying issue you already had to be honest.

ironclaw

It would go something like this:

When was the last time the shocks were changed?

<Insert some time between never and quite some time ago>

Wear and Tear. Next...


Honestly, you don't have a hope. You'd need to belt a ramp pretty hard on a brand new set of shocks to come close to breaking them. Like, hit one flat out. Think about the abuse an average Irish car would get every day of the year and then think about the force you would need to apply, in one go, to break them. Also, you don't need to replace 4, you'd only need to replace the damaged one plus the one on the other side.

The only exception to all this would be either a cheap set of shocks or a seriously high performance, better lift the nose over each ramp, type of set up. In that case, you'd probably be aware of ramps and actively avoid them.

mansoff

One front shock is broke and one back one. The ramp is so steep the car when right up and the middle landed with a bang. I purchased and replaced two second ones last year, front and back. Before I replaced them the mechanic told me to get second hand ones as new ones have to be purchased in pairs. I already sourced one from the same place as last year autobreak they are the cheapest and only charge me €30 for the back one. But they only had one available, I rang and cant get a front one and I have my NCT tonight. Ah well I just have to get on with it and hopefully source one before my retest.

mansoff

Other option is as ironclaw mentioned is to buy 2 new pairs and fitted about €500. If I get the other one second hand and replace them its only setting me back about €150.

ba_barabus

Why do you think they need to be replaced?

Cheensbo

How did the shocks break? Did the shock body snap in half or bend when you hit the ramp? Or has the damping failed?

Doing well to break shocks on one slow spin over a ramp im just interested in seeing what broke

hi5

From what you describe the damage would be to the belly of the car not the shocks.
If you damaged the shocks you were going too fast.

beauf

Spring break I can understand.

Eric Cartman

If going over the ramp scrapes a passenger car at normal height (not a lowered or sportscar) then you may have something. That would be about it though.

realdanbreen

mansoff wrote: »

I had to collect a package in parcel motel last week. The usual route in the business park was under construction so I had to take a detour around the back, where only the trucks usually go. Never did this route before, however I was behind a car in front of me and we passed about 6 ramps. On the seventh ramp the car in front slowed completely down, I was driving very slow, but not 1MPH like them. When I went over that ramp it was so steep the middle of my car underneath, scraped on the ramp. It was the steepest ramp I ever drove over. On my way back I had to go over that ramp again, this time I look at the safest part (which was no different from the middle) and went over it 1MPH hoping my car wouldn’t scrap it and luckily it didn’t. However the damage was done, front and back shocks broke. Any advice or can I get compensated by them. My insurance company said I can claim it would more than likely but up my insurance but she said best of luck trying to get them to pay for it. Damaged cost is about €500 for new shocks and labour it’s a BMW 3 series.

I 've been over the ramps on that detour also in the last few days. They are big ramps(they are for artic's after all) but going very slow over them-no problems.

MarkR

Abbreviated version:

Your second hand shocks broke when you hit a stationary object....

Not a hope

mansoff

I am no mechanic quite the opposite actually but I am only giving the facts. A few days after driving over the ramp I heard a noise when driving. I immediately thought that ramp cause it. I went to mechanic, and I have been going to him for years and trust him. He put car up on the ramp I was alongside him. First he said the left back brake pads were gone and they were, that was the noise. Then he also noticed the part that connects the main body part to the back left wheel was rusted away to nothing. I don't know the name of this part. He said he never seen the likes of it, the other same part on the RHS was perfect. He said they must of forgotten to spray/treat (or whatever they do) when it was coming out of the assembly line. Got the brake pads done and that part replaced (€60 for the part) and oil changed for €197. He also told me then about the shocks and said I must of hitting something. I told him about the ramp and that was the only thing I can recall that done it. I drive 10 mins to my job and home that's it. I only drive about 4k miles in a year. It was about 1 year ago since I got the second hand shocks (back and front) replaced. These are the facts.

mansoff

My car is a standard BMW 3 series not a sports car and I was going about 5MPH, other ramps were fine just this 7th one cause the problem.

mansoff

I couldn't of going over 5MPH as I was waiting for the other car as it slowed completely down and I mean completly down for this ramp, and they only slowed completely down for this ramp.

ba_barabus

mansoff wrote: »

He also told me then about the shocks and said I must of hitting something.

It honestly sounds like wear and tear. Given they were second hand you have no idea how old or worn they were when you got them.

Honestly, you and the mechanic are adding 2 and 2 and getting 17

ironclaw

Is fitting second hand shocks and springs a thing?

Cheensbo

ironclaw wrote: »

Is fitting second hand shocks and springs a thing?

Sure, can often be a lot cheaper than new - mixed bag of results but thats the chance one takes.

porsche boy

ironclaw wrote:

Is fitting second hand shocks and springs a thing?

Yup, sure is! Then again so is rabies and I don't want that either.

OP, fitting second hand shocks is a false economy and can have dramatic effects on the drivability and handling of your car, and I don't mean in a boy racer way. Remember shock imbalance is an NCT failure. If your mechanic suggested that then I would be worried. Would you fit second hand brake discs? I probably shouldn't ask about second hand tyres...

mansoff

Cheers thanks for the replies guys especially the last one made me

colm_mcm

Look, if you transplant shocks and springs from another car, thats all you're doing. As long as the donor car was driving ok then there's no issue in my mind, I often did it back when I had FTOs.

In my current car, I swapped a passenger shock from one the same mileage as I was in a rush to get 2 year NCT, Checked it for damage/leaks and there was only 1 or 2% imbalance on the NCT sheet. It's driving perfectly. I could have just bought 2 new shocks for it, but the Honda original ones are very good, (original on drivers side still great after 10 years) and the likes of a micksgarage special wouldn't have come close.
Now, that said, if the replacement used shock went bang tomorrow, I wouldn't be upset, it's still a ten year old part.

FWIW, I've gone over the speed bumps you're talking about in 2 different vans and 2 different cars, and while they're not ideal, if you're doing a reasonably slow speed you shouldn't have an issue.

Same with wheels/tyres.

mansoff

€380 for 4 new shocks for BMW 3 Series and fitted

MarkR

At least you know their history. Any difference in the drive, as a matter of interest?

mansoff

Dropped the car in this morning to get them done, will let you know tomorrow.

kona

Buys a bmw.

Fits 2nd hand shocks.
:pac:

colm_mcm

It's a 2nd hand BMW

colm_mcm

MarkR wrote: »

At least you know their history. Any difference in the drive, as a matter of interest?

Who, me?

No, it just drives like before the shock started knocking
I.e. Great.

mansoff

Got 4 new shocks it passed NCT (2nd time round) but they told me to get the shocks checked, it barely passed and they said if I don't it won't pass next year. One side was imbalanced 8% the other 30%. Same place I bought the shock fitted so ringing them tomorrow.

Foxhole Norman

Are you sure they're new? ?380 seems very cheap for 4 new shocks fitted including labour on a 3 series!

mansoff

I met a friend in the NCT center Friday, I found out he works for a company that sell car parts and fits them so he sorted me out. They are a big enough company about 20 - 30 people employees and around a while so I trust them.

colm_mcm

What brand are the shocks?

mansoff

I don't know will ask tomorrow when i drop my car in to be fixed

Pkiernan

There are strict rules for ramps.
If the ramp in question exceeds the dimensions in the link below l'd be going to SCC.

Check the ramp section towards the bottom.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1988/si/32/made/en/print

mansoff

I must go out and measure it. Its a small ramp only about 20cm in width and about 8cm in height but its steep. If its above 10cm then I have a case. Thanks for the link.


The make of the shocks are japko and they done me a great deal fitting 4 of them and labour for €380 inc VAT. He just rang me to tell me if they knew the NCT was that day they would of pumped them to losen them out. He told me not to drop the car in the morning and to drive for a week and bring them back in then and they will test them. As I say I trust them completely, I know 2 people working there years.