split shock absorber covers - to replace or not?

silvercar

4 year old Honda CRV with about 20k miles on the clock.

Passed MOT but advisory that the shock absorbers are split. Dealer suggests replacing.

They all advised that tyres with 6mm tread remaining could be replaced due to cracking at the edge, so not sure what to believe.

Car owner is elderly widow relative and feels dealer may be taking advantage.

Grateful for any advice.

AdrianC

Sounds like a mickey-take to me, but split dampers and cracking tyres should be very easy to see without even jacking the car up.

chrisw

Difficult to say without seeing it, but it sounds like the dealer is being very 'cautious'.

Tyre cracking can be dangerous so it 'might' be advisable to replace them.

Similarly, the shock absorber covers are designed to keep dust out which 'might' shorten the life of the shock absorbers, so, although not dangerous, it 'might' be advisable to replace the covers. However, the shocks would have to come off to do that so it might be quite expensive, particularly at a Honda dealer. The additional cost of new shocks is probably not a great deal more.

I would probably leave them, but you pay your money and take your choice.

red_eye

I have seen taxis with no boots and they pass the taxi test which is very strict as they will fail for the slightest panel colur difference. Tyre cracking would mean the tyres past its use by date I would replace If the cracking is bad

AdrianC

red_eye wrote: »

Tyre cracking would mean the tyres past its use by date I would replace If the cracking is bad

Did you miss that the OP is referring to a 4yo car?