Guys,

How long should shocks last on a 2003 TL ES Magna? Mine has only done 56,000k and I have had a knocking on the front drivers side the past few months - my UltraTune mechanic says the shock is wearing - hence the knocking noise.

I would have just assumed that something like this would last a few more kays..??

Sure its the shock? Magna's/Verada's are very well know for having shoddy springs in them. Have a look under your wheel arch and have a look at the spring. Does there seem to be a wrap of tape coiled around the top and bottom of the spring?

This is Mitsubishi's way of covering up dodgy springs. AT the top and bottom of the spring where the coils get closer together, they touch/slap eachother over bumps causing a knocking noise. Mitsub wrap this pissy thin tape around the coil insulating the coil so when they touch its not metal on metal but metal on plastic. Plastic tape only lasts like 2 weeks before it has worn through obviously. I have tried different materials such as ultra tough garden hose which lasts longer but eventually wears through.

Pedders springs will do the same but only much worse.

I have Kings lows on my wagon and they are the only spring i have used that doesnt do it. Has anyone ever tried replacing factory springs with King's standard height springs and see if that gets rid of the problem?

i would of thought this might come under warranty and would take it to Mits

Magna's/Verada's are very well know for having shoddy springs in them.

Really? First i've heard of it!



This is Mitsubishi's way of covering up dodgy springs

Ok now you're just being ridiculous.:roll:

I cant tell you how many times i had my cars back to various Mitsub dealers to get noisy suspension looked at.
Every time i went back, they replaced the nylon tape wraped around the top and bottom of the coil springs. Even they addmitted its only a temp fix.

I have pages and pages of Mitsub service receipts TL-R if you want to see them. And this is for KE's, KH's and KJ's.

For some reason not all suffered from this problem. Not sure why as they use the same springs.

Al i'm saying is maybe give it a look before you start replacing shocks.

Even they addmitted its only a temp fix.

So you went back to the dealer to get noisy suspension fixed under warranty, and all the did was wrap some tape around your springs and told you it was a temporary fix?....

....and you accepted a temporary fix?

What was the permanent fix?

maybe it was permanently fixed for temporary period of time....ie: untill warranty runs out:bowrofl:

Shocks do fail at those kms - not normally but as with anything it can. Iv'e had a brand new shock fail once - lost all its oil, made a banging noise after only a few kms. Does the shock look wet under the gaiter, if looks oily thats a sure sign of being stuffed.
Another cause of noise from the strut can be the locking nut that holds the shock cartridge in the strut but I think the Magnas use a replacement strut and not a cartridge.

Take it somewhere else for a second opinion if you are uncertain, maybe even pedders - do their $14 check, if you can - see if you can watch when they run the shock check, you might be able to see if there is a diff between the left and right. You will have to buy two atleast if iheir diagnosis is correct.

In my experience with cars, its normally the passengers side thats a bit more likely to go, because the kerb side of the road normally is the roughest.

maybe it was permanently fixed for temporary period of time....ie: untill warranty runs out:bowrofl:
Probably said in jest but very, very true with all dealers.

Probably said in jest but very, very true with all dealers.

And you've been to all the dealers have you?

What a rediculous comment.

I had my front left shock replaced by mits at 35k as it was making a nasty noise. They are just sitting there now as I have konis.