Two more rear Ohlins dampers failed from corrosion !!!

FixedWing · 01-20-2006, 05:41 PM

For the second time, I have had both rear Ohlins dampers fail. The cause is clearly electrolysis between the steel sleeve and the aluminium end piece. I think this has been accelerated by my use in a heavy salt area. My Hakka snows will coat everything on the back of the car.

This is clearly a safety issue. The dampers carry the weight of the car. If they were to fail catastrophically then that corner would collapse. That could easily result in an accident.

I have now had four out of four dampers fail. Obviously winter use has been a factor. But I do think that sooner or later *all* Ohlins dampers used on the street are going to fail like this from electrolysis. So the message is clear - CHECK AND RE-CHECK THESE DAMPERS FOR CRACKS!!!

Jason and Ted at STaSIS have been really incredible in dealing with this problem. They replaced the first set of dampers immediately. Since then they have been chasing Ohlins for a solution. This latest set of dampers is going back directly to Ohlins USA to have the lower bushing replaced temporarily with a hemispherical bearing until Ohlins can figure out a permanent solution. Obviously, Ohlins is also taking this matter quite seriously.

Stephen

Crack at base:

Note that the crack is hidden down by the base. Also, if you look carefully, you can see a second crack beginning. Presumably once that crack grew a piece would have come free:

crew219 · 01-20-2006, 05:42 PM

;-)

FixedWing · 01-20-2006, 05:44 PM

FixedWing · 01-20-2006, 05:45 PM

2000SForce · 01-20-2006, 05:45 PM

i can after snow and salt

FixedWing · 01-20-2006, 05:46 PM

S4andTLS · 01-20-2006, 05:49 PM

S4mig@PEB tuning · 01-20-2006, 05:51 PM

erik9108 · 01-20-2006, 05:52 PM

FixedWing · 01-20-2006, 05:54 PM

But effectively, one serious snow storm and one month of winter use with my studded Hakkas on. I think that they throw up an incredible amount of ****.

Stephen

01-20-2006, 05:41 PM	#1
FixedWing Senior Member Account #: 66531 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,155	Two more rear Ohlins dampers failed from corrosion !!! For the second time, I have had both rear Ohlins dampers fail. The cause is clearly electrolysis between the steel sleeve and the aluminium end piece. I think this has been accelerated by my use in a heavy salt area. My Hakka snows will coat everything on the back of the car. This is clearly a safety issue. The dampers carry the weight of the car. If they were to fail catastrophically then that corner would collapse. That could easily result in an accident. I have now had four out of four dampers fail. Obviously winter use has been a factor. But I do think that sooner or later all Ohlins dampers used on the street are going to fail like this from electrolysis. So the message is clear - CHECK AND RE-CHECK THESE DAMPERS FOR CRACKS!!! Jason and Ted at STaSIS have been really incredible in dealing with this problem. They replaced the first set of dampers immediately. Since then they have been chasing Ohlins for a solution. This latest set of dampers is going back directly to Ohlins USA to have the lower bushing replaced temporarily with a hemispherical bearing until Ohlins can figure out a permanent solution. Obviously, Ohlins is also taking this matter quite seriously. Stephen Crack at base: Note that the crack is hidden down by the base. Also, if you look carefully, you can see a second crack beginning. Presumably once that crack grew a piece would have come free: __________________ ================================================== ======================

01-20-2006, 05:42 PM	#2
crew219 Member Account #: 74688 Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 4,924	damn . . . . ever thought about running the car through a wash every once in awhile? ;-) __________________ tyranny and anarchy are never far apart

01-20-2006, 05:44 PM	#3
FixedWing Senior Member Account #: 66531 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,155	Photos of the first two failed Ohlins dampers. __________________ ================================================== ======================

01-20-2006, 05:45 PM	#4
FixedWing Senior Member Account #: 66531 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,155	Now why didn't I think of of that? :-p __________________ ================================================== ======================

01-20-2006, 05:45 PM	#5
2000SForce Senior Member Account #: 80402 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 7,934	it's not so much a ;P comment. I always spray down my suspension stuff and under the car as much as i can after snow and salt

01-20-2006, 05:46 PM	#6
FixedWing Senior Member Account #: 66531 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,155	I do exactly the same throughout the winter. __________________ ================================================== ======================

01-20-2006, 05:49 PM	#7
S4andTLS AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 61532 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,874	Tracksports value going up by the minute now :P __________________ 01.5 Black,Tracksports 650/700,dts,Hsports F/R,adjustable c/arms,snub,Stasis center diff,S.Bend stage V clutch,uuc sshifter,Apr chip,Asp dp's and twin back,Ecs pulleys,Awe Ic's,Samco,X-1 intake,Alpine Nav/JL/MB quart,XM,V1,Blinder M25,Sportec 18's,G.year-F1's,FI hood,Rs4 bumper,clear bra,tint,etc.

01-20-2006, 05:51 PM	#8
S4mig@PEB tuning Elder Member Account #: 54947 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 12,903	How many months did that take? __________________ <a href="http://account.audiworld.com/users/20137.phtml"> </a> AIM: aSmig4 My favorite "tuner" quote, now deleted: "If you had purchased our kit you car would still be a nice 2002 S4 instead of a big pile of blue garbage." Bob@strat. describing BuffaloNogaro's car. Do tuners lie? FOD kills.

01-20-2006, 05:52 PM	#9
erik9108 Junior Member Account #: 48250 Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 965	Wow.. I remember reading about your Ohlins failure around this time LAST year. :( __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------- Gone, but not forgotten... '01.5 \| Sport \| GIAC-X \| UUC SS & DTS \| Forge DVs \| 500/600 Stasis Track Sports \| Actuning! Oil Cooler \| Milltek SuperDual w/piggie pipes \| H&R 17mm Rear Bar The All Encompassing EdyJun's S4 Directory A Must Read - VandyS4's FAQ The Humorous but True - S4 Nag List Should you run colder plugs?

01-20-2006, 05:54 PM	#10
FixedWing Senior Member Account #: 66531 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,155	They were installed in the beginning of July 2005... But effectively, one serious snow storm and one month of winter use with my studded Hakkas on. I think that they throw up an incredible amount of ****. Stephen __________________ ================================================== ======================

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