I need new shocks and springs. What should I go for?

[BurdeG]

I am suffering with Saggy TVR syndrome & fed up with scraping my exhaust on the road !! So I require 4 new shocks and springs for my S2, any information on the best brands and prices available would be useful. So far had 3 prices quoted of varying concern!! Height & damper rate adjustable would be good. Thanks in advance Giles

[steve parker]

have recently made enqs with both wedge automotive and peninsular. Avo shocks and new springs £149 per corner plus fitting SP

[shpub]

Tower View have developed a set of GAZ shocks that are ride height and damping adjustable. Details and piccies on their Website www.t-v-r-services.co.uk. Cost is around 100 pnds a corner but depends what you spec. Regards Steve www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[manek]

Similarly Thames Valley Racetech is selling four Leda dampers for around £460. Price doesn't include fitting and VAT which pushes up the total to around £750. -Manek-

[Paul V]

Went round Silverstone at the weekend and was very disappointed with the cars handling, it seemed to roll all over the place, ok I know track driving is different to everyday use but as I drive it hard sometimes I feel it could do with some adjustable shocks.

[BurdeG]

Thanks for the info so far folks, but keep it coming.... I have been offered rate adjustable Spax shocks with S3 springs, supossedly better ride quality for a reasonable price, anyone use that combi at the moment ? Thanks again Giles

[Paul V]

Just had a quote from Demon Tweaks for my S2, adjustable Spax shocks all round, plus new springs front and rear £439.96 Inc vat. This doesn’t include fitting but should imagine that it wouldn’t be that hard. They also do Koni at £548.42 but they need to be taken off the car for adjustment. Not sure if they are height adjustable.

[LeeBee]

I do not recommend Spax, I have used these on my race Mini and wouldn't dream of fitting them to a TVR, Koni's (standard TVR fit) are good but as mentioned are a little tricky to adjust, standard TVR springs are too soft! IMO Cheers LeeBee

[Paul V]

Lee, why did you have problems with Spax? I had them on my mini and found them much better than the Koni shocks, what have you fitted to your car (the S)? How much did you pay? I do prefer Spax and they can be adjusted easily, do you know of a better shock with easy adjustment? I would like to be able to turn them up for the track days, and then back for everyday use.

[BurdeG]

I had spax on my Westfield and thought they were fine ? although the springs were damn hard compared to a tiv's. Anyone qny comments on manufacturers ? Giles

[johno]

I have the Gaz dampers on the rear and the car is going into Tower View on the 19th to have the fronts fitted aswell to match the rears with 20% stiffer springs. Work I would normally do myself but am struggling to find time at moment. I have been very happy with the Gaz dampers and would recommend them to S owners. The adjustment is properly graduated and allows for change in damping that it subtle rather than some makes (AVO'S apparently) which totally change their characteristics over a couple of clicks of the dial. Tower View are re-setting all my geometry and ride height etc etc and I can't wait. I have Koni adj's on the front at the moment and although they've been alright they are now softening and the adjustment can only be made by removal and turning upside down and standing on your head whilst swinging a cat. Waste of time really. I'll let you know how big a difference it makes to the whole set up once I've got the fronts and all the geometry set up. I can't wait ! The set up isn't bad at the moment put there's definitely a lot more to come as the original balance I manged to get between the Konis and the Gaz dampers has gone and to be extreme it behaves like a boat from front to rear ! Cheers Mark

[johno]

Spax Dampers - No ! I've heard Lee's stories and also a number of other peoples with TVR's about the nightmares they had with them being wholely unreliable and the trouble of getting replacements etc etc etc

[BurdeG]

Okay, okay....probably wont have the Spax then !!! I havn't contacted Tower View yet, how much are the Gaz shocks & 20% uprated springs costing you ? Lee can get me AVO's & springs, just want to compare....also AVO's sound difficult to adjust !!!!! cheers Giles

[91s3c]

Have ordered 2 fronts myself today from Tower View £139 & vat a corner

[Paul V]

Tower View are £139+vat per corner. £653.30 Inc vat. Fitting is £42+ per corner, although they come ready assembled and set to standard, they said its a easy DIY job.

[GreenV8S]

quote:Spax Dampers - No !

Agreed, I wouldn't even give them bin space. (Had three different sets replaced under warranty that were all faulty in various ways including one that could easily have killed me.) For my money, stick to Tower View Gaz dampers or (if you can afford it) Nitrons. Cheers, Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

[LeeBee]

I am going to be running Nitrons (over £1,000) when they arrive, I have used AVO's with good results (very easy to adjust if you are able to twist a dial ).I know people will always say that they have found things to be the opposite to what others say (I know Peter H is not a fan of the AVO's but then I never subjected mine to 42G like he does! ).I have had bad results with Spax but I am sure others find them OK, I believe that GAZ are now doing shocks for Mini's (this being the real Mini and not that bloody German imposter! sorry wrong forum!)so I might try some of those. Cheers LeeBee P.S fitting £42+ per corner, that's nearly double what I charge.............. Edited by LeeBee on Tuesday 4th September 22:46 Edited by LeeBee on Tuesday 4th September 22:48

[91s3c]

quote:P.S fitting £42+ per corner, that's nearly double what I charge..............

what do you charge then, 4 bolts dont tell me mail me off list? just winding you up

[LeeBee]

I would tell you if I had your email address! Cheers LeeBee

[johno]

Fitting the Gaz dampers is a striaght forward job. I fitted my rear when I rebuilt the back end of the car and found it easy. I'm only having Tower View do the fronts as they are going to be doing the whole set up and geometry for me and I'm struggling to find time to do anything at the moment. Cheers Mark