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Used Vauxhall Astra Shock Absorber
All used Vauxhall Astra Shock Absorber listed on Breakeryard.com are tested, original (OEM) manufacturer parts and come with a 14 day money back guarantee. Breakeryard.com list cheap new OES or aftermarket car parts at discounted prices or used OEM car parts up to 80% cheaper than main dealer prices for Vauxhall Astra from premium breaker yards from across the UK.
About Shock Absorber
Most modern cars have shock absorbers or hydraulic dampers as part of their suspension system. Usually combined with coil springs the shock absorbers primary function is to smooth out the cars ride and dampen any bounce generated by the springs as the car travels over the ground.
The shock absorber is constructed of hollow metal tubing which is sealed with end caps creating a chamber or cylinder which is filled with hydraulic oil or fluid. A piston located inside the chamber is connected to a rod which passes through seals at one end. The piston is able to move up and down the chamber but due to narrow passages in the piston the oil slows or dampens its movement.
The chamber end of the shock absorber (bottom) is bolted to the axle, trailing arm or strut while the piston rod end (top) is bolted to a reinforced section of the bodywork. This braces the suspension of the car slowing any bounce due to the resistance provided by the shock absorber.
There are several different types of shock absorber but the most common are either telescopic or strut. Telescopic shock absorbers are used with most suspension systems including trailing arm, wishbone, leading arm and swing axles. Strut shock absorbers or inserts are similar in design although are an integral part of the coil spring. The most common system of this type is the MacPherson strut which can be used on both front and rear wheels.
Shock absorbers generally have a fixed life expectancy although this can vary significantly depending on driving style, distance covered and terrain. They are generally non serviceable although should be checked regularly for early signs of wear or failure. The common point of failure is the seal where the piston rod exits the chamber. As the seals wear they are likely to allow oil to leak which will eventually reduce their efficiency resulting in poor ride and road holding. Other checks should include signs of damage from road debris including significant dents to the chamber; corrosion, pitting or scoring of the piston rods which will cause premature seal wear or damage to the mounting bolts, brackets or bushes.
When replacing shock absorbers it is generally recommended to so in axle pairs to ensure balanced suspension performance across the width of the vehicle.
Vauxhall Astra trivia
- The white version of the Vauxhall Astra 1800 GTE was the first car in the UK to be colour-coded. The body trim matched the white base colour and included the skirts and the wheel arch extensions. Ford was so happy with the look that the silver, black, and red models also started to include colour-coding.
- The first two generations of the Vauxhall Astra were right-hand drive and were called the Opel Kadett in the UK before the Opel and Vauxhall names were merged.
- The Bedford Astravan is the van version of the classic Vauxhall Astra!
- The Astra sold exceptionally well in the UK, and it quickly became the second most popular small family car in the country (after the Ford Escort). The Mark 2 Astra sold even more and came very close to the Escort in terms of sales.
- In South Africa, drivers could buy the MK3 Astra, which came with a turbo-charged C20LET engine. The car was sold as the 200ts, and only one has ever been seen in the UK. Luckily, the C20LET supercharged engine was also used in the Calibra and Cavalier Turbo, so Brits could still experience the thrill.