Two big bangs (pops) in the rear end - Shocks?

So back on 7-3-12 i wrote a thread about my suspension light came on and i still haven't done anything about it. I figured no big deal the suspension is now stuck in hard mode - fine.

Well i took the car out for a spin the other night for the first time in a month. Car ran great - it was awesome. Then when i got home, something happened.

I started to back up into my drive way and I heard a loud bang sound from the right rear of the car. At first I thought I ran over something but there was nothing on my driveway. It kinda of sounded like a balloon popping but deeper. Almost like getting a flat tire.

So then i continued to back up and it happened a second time but now what i think came from the left rear. Time laps between the two pops - around 10 seconds.

I continued again to back the car up the drive way and into the garage without anymore popping.

Does anyone have any idea what these bangs where?? Does it have anything to do with my suspension light on??? Did the shocks or actuators crack or something???? Help????

Jay

 

Let's hope it's not this.....

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273443

 

TZ 750,

I don't see any red liquid or any other color liquid on the ground. So nothing leaked or blew-up.

Any other idea's??? Sway Bar crack??? Shock mounts???

 

It could be that the internal membranes of the CO2 spheres have collapsed...you should check them...

 

In the 456, the accumulators contain some "gas," don't know
if it is CO2 or nitrogen. I don't know how to check them
other than to send them to Bilstein, who can't fix them - but
that tell you if they are any good or not.

It might be that, if the "bombs" have only hydraulic fluid
in them - and no gas - that the situation will either
blow out hoses of the shock seals......

They cost about $500 / each as a Ferrari part,
but several threads here discuss less costly
alternatives.

When I replaced my shocks with new, I went
ahead and replaced the "bombs" as insurance.

 

You are correct, the "bombs" contain Nitrogen, not CO2.

The has gas on one side, and fluid on the other, this is why then the membrane fails, they completely fill up and no longer offer the "springing" and causes to shocks to "explode".

You can get them really cheap, the BMW X5 has the same 'bombs', someone here posted the part no. but I cant find it.

They cost no more than 50-70 USD each.

Get them change and then see from there.

 

Thanks guys.

So do i have the "bombs" in my car? Its a 1997 456 GTA.

If the Nitrogen blew is it safe to drive on them until i get them replaced?

I can use the ones from a BMW X5?

Can any mechanic put them in or do i need to go to a Ferrari shop?

 

Yes, you car does have the "bombs" and they can easily replace by any mechanic.

Screw out the old ones, and in with the new. Care must to taken not to bend any lines or damage any of the pressure hoses.

Get under the car and take a look yourself.

The "bombs" are the same ones used on the BMW X5 hydraulic suspension, but I cannot find the part number.

Perhaps someone else can supply that info?

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

I have replaced those accumulators just recently because my car had lost the "shock absorbing" function almost completely.
I did buy them from a local BMW dealer, but they were not $ 50 - 70 a piece: they were more like $ 250 - 300 a piece, though still cheaper than from a Ferrari dealer.
By the way, there is one also on top of the master cylinder.

 

Do you have the part number? I am sure they can be purchase much cheaper

 

Do the BMW X5 shocks use the actuators on top the same as the stock ones? Everything fits the same?

 

I would not drive the car if those accumulators are the problem. I would not want to risk my shock absorbers.
On the topic of shock actuators, they are specific for Ferrari. Only Corvette units can be modified. Search through this forum, there is plenty of info available.

 

He is obviously referring to the shock accumulators, or "bombs" as they are referred to here, not the actuators.

Replace the "bombs", yes, they are the same as the BMW

 

Not sure where you got that information: Ferrari and Corvette actuators are similar but not interchangeable; that does not mean they cannot be repaired though.
I recently sent all 4 actuators to be serviced by Capt Z and got them back within a week.

 

Corvette actuators, while not directly interchangeable, can be modified to work on Ferraris by the addition of one wire. I've done it several times.

 

Hey guys - Thank you for all your responces but i still don't understand.

Im going to order the BMW X5 shocks but then what do i do with the actuators that were on top of the stock Ferrari shocks?

Do they connect to the top of the BMW X5 shocks or what???

 

No, no, there is a confusion.

The "actuators" are an electric/mechanic device - do you not need to change these.

The "accumulators", also referred to as "bombs" because they are round "balls" are what you need to change.

Let me get you a picture so you understand

 

Here you are.

Again, thanks to Ricambi for their website.

The actuator is number 27 - don't worry about these.

Your problem should be 54.
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This is the BOMB
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The Bimmer guys call them a "nitrogen bomb" because it sounds like "hydrogen bomb" and, on the Bimmer, the one under the hood, looks like one of those round black bombs that you used to see in cartoons, e.g. Spy vs Spy in Mad Magazine.

As for the cost, not surprising the BMW Dealer is high. I bought one for my 850 Ci online years ago and it was pretty "cheap". Of course, it is not the same as the ones you need, but the BMW dealer would not be my first stop.

Jay, assuming this is your problem, if you can match it with the BMW part #, getting a couple online and having them put on, IMO, is worth the risk.

Let us know. I'd like to know for if/when I hear the POP! The "bomb exploded" on my Bimmer b/f I bought it. So I've never actually heard one go.

Regards....Mark in Houston.......

 

I can get them in Germany for around 150 USD each.

 

Like this:
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hahah, I wonder if the NSA is picking up on this....talk of bombs...

 

Nitrogen Bombs no less... That'll send 'em scurrying........

 

Mark,

Thank you soooo much for the clarification. I knew i didn't understand cause I looked at my shocks yesterday and they are fine. Not cracked open like in the other posting.

So - next question. Where are these things so i can check them out? Are there two or three?

Jay