Fellow FF owners,

I would be very grateful for your input.

I have a leaking rear shock absorber (the piston, not the bag) on my 2012 L322 and the shock needs to be replaced. I've been told by a colleague, who is a former BMW/VAG technician, that these should be changed as a pair to avoid potential handling/tyre wear issues. I bought the car Approved Used from a dealer (Grange of Welwyn) only in January, so it's still under the 2-year LR warranty. I've put it in to the local dealership in Aberdeen (Peter Vardy JLR), but they're saying they will only change under warranty the one that's leaking. They're suggesting that if I want them both changed, then one would have to be at my expense.
I'm yet to receive a quote for the work. However, I understand the part alone is around £400 if bought through the dealers!
An alternative option is for me to source Bilsteins or Monroes (£165 or £84 inc.VAT and discount, from Eurocarparts) and have my trusted indy garage do the fitting.


Q. Has anyone had a similar experience with replacing shocks under warranty? What was the resolution?
Q. To what extent is it the case that handling/tyre wear could be adversely affected if the shocks are not changed as a pair?
Q. Does LR warranty really not provide for replacement of these as a pair? And is it worth going to battle with them on this? Does anyone have an inside line that can confirm the situation?
Q. What experience do you have with Bilstein / Monroe shocks as replacements? From a quick bit of googling, I get the sense that the Bilsteins are top notch. Can anyone recommend the Monroes?


Many thanks in advance for any & all advice!

They are sealed gas filled dampers, theoretically they should be as effective at 20 years old as they are at one as long as they don't leak..

It is good practice to change suspension components in pairs but not essential, your failed one has failed prematurely and as such I would say you will be fine.....

I'd certainly rather have genuine ones fitted even if one is a bit older than the other...

I dare say I'm in the minority....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks Haylands,
Fair point! I can see your logic there. I've asked the dealers to reconsider, but we'll see what they say.
I had a sort of similar situation some years ago with Peter Vardy BMW, having to replace a sticking caliper + disc + pads under warranty, but of course they wouldn't stretch to replacing the disc + pads on the other side - I had to pay for those.
I didn't think to fight them on it back then, but it certainly was a kick in the

Certainly worth an argument, you never know, they may pay for two...  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I have the same thing on mine, but it hasn't gone in yet, going in on thurs.

I had a similar issue on the front shock/strut when the airbag sprang a leak, LR warranty will only pay for the failed component. So I just had the one swapped. Absolutely no difference in handling or driving characteristics at all.

Worth a try but tbh I wouldn't worry too much. If the other fails in warranty you can have that replaced then! There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

I had one replaced under warranty and have not noticed any difference.

Are the other shockers you are looking at dynamic ones or ordinary gas shockers? That could be why there is a big price difference.

Ian

like a pair of gloves or shoes you'd think that both would be replaced but if only one is faulty then i cant see why they would pay to replace a strut that is ok..  ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

^^ wot he says

The only thing that I can add is as long as the rubber components is ok then I can't see any difference... different matter if the rubber is starting to go  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Update.

Wasn't deemed bad enough to warrant replacing yet on mine and to check it again in 6 months (will still be in warranty) there was also a squeak from the belts when cold, only slight, but again deemed not bad enough to generate a claim as they would probably say no. I'm thinking tensioner and belt need doing but there's no rush. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial