Urgent advice needed! - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

jack880 · 16th August 2003, 19:56

Please can someone give me some advice - my 1990 3.6l recently failed its MOT due to needing both rear shocks replacing (leaking). I haven't yet replaced them (my car is booked in for tuesday but I needed to drive somewhere this weekend), and have just noticed that one side of the car is lower than it should be (about 20mm ish). Could this be to do with the shocks? I would have thought that the shocks would only affect the bounciness of the car, rather than the height when not driving.

Does anyone know what the problem is likely to be?

Thanks!

Steven · 16th August 2003, 21:13

The SLS rear suspension is basicly hydraulic, so it's always under pressure. If you have a leak, the size of the leak will depend on how fast the car starts to sag. You should also see it come to the proper ride height when the car is started. Good luck, those shocks can be pricey.

mblaster · 17th August 2003, 02:24

I kept my sls shocks that I'm not using any more. They are both OK. Make me an offer I can't refuse.

jack880 · 17th August 2003, 14:29

mblaster - thanks, but I'd probably prefer to get new ones, and as my car isn't driveable at the moment I need to get it sorted out as soon as possible... But how much would you want to sell them for?

Steven - thanks for that. The car does rise up when the engine is started, but not to the proper height (on one side). It seems that one wheel (the one where the car is lower) may be very slightly further in than the other one. When I jacked the back of the car up I could see that the wheel had been rubbing on the back face of the wheel arch - any idea if the leaking shock could in any way draw the wheel inwards?? Or maybe its just my measuring techniques.....

Also it may be my imagination but I think I can hear a hissing sound - is that the system trying to raise the pressure in the leaking shock? Although I can't see any fluid dripping out or anything. Are they definately hydraulic rather than pneumatic?

Thanks again

Steven · 18th August 2003, 04:51

jack880,
Sorry to hear about all the other problems. The SLS is definately hydraulic, because it functions off the power steering fluid. That's why you must use CHF 7.1(if I recall correctly) and nothing else.
You shouldn't hear a hissing sound. Could it be the fuel pump? Check the power steering fluid and see if it's low, the SLS may have gotten air bound, highly unlikely but you never know.

As far as the rubbing dilema, I would suspect something bent of worn out. Or, is it just the wheel rubs when the car begins to sag a bit?

Probably ought to inspect the rear suspension.
Hope I could help.

jack880 · 18th August 2003, 13:22

Thanks Steven. The car's due for its annual check which I understand to involve checking all the fluid levels, so that might clear up some issues. And I'll get them to check the suspension when replacing the shocks anyway.

Thanks for your opinion, much appreciated.

mblaster · 19th August 2003, 07:13

You might want to think about ditching the SLS system. I got rid of mine and the car rides and handles much better. No BS.