RS2 shocks issues?

[Nuvo]

Isn't the oil used to provide damping with nitrogen used to prevent foaming/aeration of the hydraulic oil? Foaming reduces the damping properties.

[Paulgo]

Thanks for the replies guys - managed to get some pics which might help. There's oil around the cap area and its thick and caked on the spring seat so it must have been like this for a little while (the shocks were fitted in March). Also on the front and back and front faces of the spring. Hopefully the pics are good enough to give you something more to go on!













Looks to me like they are leaking and have been for a while. Or a least something has been leaking!

When you first had them fitted did the handling get a lot better than with s2 shocks?

How does it handle at the moment - any/much different that before ?

If Im being completely honest I didnt notice the difference I was expecting with the new RS2 shocks and with suspension tightened (the ball joints, wishbone bushes, top mounts, track rod ends, front sub fames bushes and new drop links were all done at the same time). Most recently Ive noticed the car banks into corners a lot more than I'd like - and Ive got an RS2 farb fitted too. Also got some wear on the outside of the nearside front tyre and the car was tracked when the work was done.

Not sure if this is oil leaking from the strut housing itself - the caps seems on tight and the work was carried out by a reputable local VAG specialist who Ive spoken to and they always drain any oil residue before fitting new inserts.

Be interested in your thoughts on the pics - thanks again guys!

Paul

[mcandmar]

It might just be the photo but the strut cap looks like its on cross threaded? At first glance the damp patch does look like a blown shock seal, but could just be the strut oil leaking out as Jamo said. Does it smell bad, from experience shock oil smells horrid.

I think Nuvos is right, my understanding is they are gas pressurized to prevent foaming, so they are still oil filled.

The only way you’re going to know for sure is to remove the spring and see what condition the shocks are in.

[Jamo]

Strut cap is cross threaded mate. Doesn't look like they replace the cap with a new one when the new shocks went in.

When I did mine I cleaned up the threads on an electric wire brush and used new caps.

[Paulgo]

Just to round this off - finally managed to get to the local VAG specialist who did all the suspension work and they confirm that the nearside shock is definately borked and the other is leaking so badly its almost the same. When looked at properly the collar isnt actually cross threaded (mustve been the pic) as far we can make out, tho cant see how that wouldve effected the shocks directly I suppose, however Ive got a new set for when the new shocks are fitted.

Really wanted to say a HUGE thanks to Martyn at Vagparts (www.vagparts.com) for sorting me a replacement set even tho they arn't covered by an Audi warrenty as they werent fitted to an RS2 even tho there cant be much if any difference in that respect . So you can see how far I wouldve got had I bought them direct from the stealers! Top guy and a top supplier. Nice one

cheers

Paul