Warning to all - Gaz Golds
Discussion
GG33 said:
I happened to visit the GAZ factory last Friday for a diifferent issue (squeeky GAZ Gold Pro's) A modified set were fitted free of charge 'no quibble' Whilst I was having a tour of the factory the subject of this post was raised and the cause of the problem was shown to me together with the solution. I was also told that anyone who has any doubts about the integrity of their GAZ shock should have them checked by their supplier and if found to be faulty they will be changed without quibble.
My thoughts are that they are a thoroughly great company to deal with who are more than willing to stand by their product
+1My thoughts are that they are a thoroughly great company to deal with who are more than willing to stand by their product
I had exactly the same experience, really nice people and good biscuits too :-)
Ian
gizzer said:
After 2 years still waiting for a refund both rear shocks failed on my cerb 4.5 they blamed speed humps your call GAZ!!!!!!!!!!!
Hmm, nobody in the Gaz office knows of this problem, perhaps an Email to sales@gazshocks.com might be in order or ring the helpline on 07795 293018 
My 2007 Golds havn't cracked but they do squeak very annoyingly.
Anyone have a solution rather than change them at my own cost (nice to do their R&D)?
I've tried sofening them then firming things again etc withjout any joy. Lube the stanchions perhaps or is this a no no - can the seals cope?
Anyone have a solution rather than change them at my own cost (nice to do their R&D)?
I've tried sofening them then firming things again etc withjout any joy. Lube the stanchions perhaps or is this a no no - can the seals cope?
Andy JB said:
My 2007 Golds havn't cracked but they do squeak very annoyingly.
Anyone have a solution rather than change them at my own cost (nice to do their R&D)?
I've tried sofening them then firming things again etc withjout any joy. Lube the stanchions perhaps or is this a no no - can the seals cope?
AndyAnyone have a solution rather than change them at my own cost (nice to do their R&D)?
I've tried sofening them then firming things again etc withjout any joy. Lube the stanchions perhaps or is this a no no - can the seals cope?
Have a word with Topgear Automotive or Ian at Sportmotive and get them to report to Gaz on the problem.
We will get you sorted.
Just a heads up. A good Gaz story.
I own a Griff 500 - was fitted with early version Gaz Gold rears back in 2004. The previous owner was the original purchaser of said shocks, from RT Racing.
Less than 20000 miles later and pretty much summers use, the near side rear shock piston rod snapped.
I don't want to fuss over this because it happen whilst driving. All the circumstances at the time were favourable to the well-being of Griff and occupants. We all know how things can turn out for the worse given such things, but they didn't and we / Griff were I suppose fortunate. Nuff said.
My first port of call was Richard Thorpe at RT. Never met him, nor am I a customer (yet). He was truly understanding and really helpful going through as he did the proper channel to his supplier, who in turn went to Gaz. Basically relaying explanation and pics via email, so I assume all concerned had an idea at least of what they were dealing with.
Richard reported back Gaz wouldn't replace the shocks. They sold them 2003! I half expected Gaz wouldn't. Well only I know of my Griffs history. I called Gaz helpline. I offered my thoughts. So helpline put me in touch with Warren Gazzard. Warren listened, and without hesitation gave me replacements. This was Friday. Shocks arrived special delivery next day. Fitted adjusted and test driven last night.
I'm not going to go into details as everyone's circumstances are different, so it wouldn't be fair to say Gaz will simply bend over backwards for all, but that's what they did for me. Gaz are going to inspect the failed shock, and the seemingly good one, once I've returned them. What Gaz, Warren Gazzard, has done is show me that good people with great business ethics still exists in this country, and that is what it's all about. I could not be happier, nor more impressed with Warren's attitude towards his company, product, and customer service. Thank you Warren - thank you Gaz.
I own a Griff 500 - was fitted with early version Gaz Gold rears back in 2004. The previous owner was the original purchaser of said shocks, from RT Racing.
Less than 20000 miles later and pretty much summers use, the near side rear shock piston rod snapped.
I don't want to fuss over this because it happen whilst driving. All the circumstances at the time were favourable to the well-being of Griff and occupants. We all know how things can turn out for the worse given such things, but they didn't and we / Griff were I suppose fortunate. Nuff said.
My first port of call was Richard Thorpe at RT. Never met him, nor am I a customer (yet). He was truly understanding and really helpful going through as he did the proper channel to his supplier, who in turn went to Gaz. Basically relaying explanation and pics via email, so I assume all concerned had an idea at least of what they were dealing with.
Richard reported back Gaz wouldn't replace the shocks. They sold them 2003! I half expected Gaz wouldn't. Well only I know of my Griffs history. I called Gaz helpline. I offered my thoughts. So helpline put me in touch with Warren Gazzard. Warren listened, and without hesitation gave me replacements. This was Friday. Shocks arrived special delivery next day. Fitted adjusted and test driven last night.
I'm not going to go into details as everyone's circumstances are different, so it wouldn't be fair to say Gaz will simply bend over backwards for all, but that's what they did for me. Gaz are going to inspect the failed shock, and the seemingly good one, once I've returned them. What Gaz, Warren Gazzard, has done is show me that good people with great business ethics still exists in this country, and that is what it's all about. I could not be happier, nor more impressed with Warren's attitude towards his company, product, and customer service. Thank you Warren - thank you Gaz.
GAZ is well known for their cheap coilovers in kitcars.
CHEAP...means CHEAP...buy cheap, buy twice!!!
also a CHim isnt a 550kg kitcar....
somebody mentioned Nitron:
yeah, thats a "proper" suplier of high quality shocks.
i always wonder if there isnt any type-approval or test for such rubbish delivering companies like G.Z?
even when their suplier delivers a wrong batch of bushes its THEIR problem to sort that out...it seems that there is no in process quality control...poor..poor.
i remember a simlar problem from Protech (was also mentioned here on PH)...ok...i presume that both companies do have the same supliers for bushes, valves etc..Protech staff is a split-off from GAZ.
such companies should be reported for dangerous parts...but where you could report them?
rubbish chinese imported parts will get rejected, but things happening on the local market do not get approved nor tested.
CHEAP...means CHEAP...buy cheap, buy twice!!!
also a CHim isnt a 550kg kitcar....
somebody mentioned Nitron:
yeah, thats a "proper" suplier of high quality shocks.
i always wonder if there isnt any type-approval or test for such rubbish delivering companies like G.Z?
even when their suplier delivers a wrong batch of bushes its THEIR problem to sort that out...it seems that there is no in process quality control...poor..poor.
i remember a simlar problem from Protech (was also mentioned here on PH)...ok...i presume that both companies do have the same supliers for bushes, valves etc..Protech staff is a split-off from GAZ.
such companies should be reported for dangerous parts...but where you could report them?
rubbish chinese imported parts will get rejected, but things happening on the local market do not get approved nor tested.
Edited by Comadis on Tuesday 27th July 20:26
Edited by Comadis on Tuesday 27th July 20:29
Comadis said:
GAZ is well known for their cheap coilovers in kitcars.
CHEAP...means CHEAP...buy cheap, buy twice!!!
also a CHim isnt a 550kg kitcar....
somebody mentioned Nitron:
yeah, thats a "proper" suplier of high quality shocks.
i always wonder if there isnt any type-approval or test for such rubbish delivering companies like G.Z?
even when their suplier delivers a wrong batch of bushes its THEIR problem to sort that out...it seems that there is no in process quality control...poor..poor.
i remember a simlar problem from Protech (was also mentioned here on PH)...ok...i presume that both companies do have the same supliers for bushes, valves etc..
such companies should be reported for dangerous parts...but where you could report them?
rubbish chinese imported parts will get rejected, but things happening on the local market do not get approved nor tested.
CHEAP...means CHEAP...buy cheap, buy twice!!!
also a CHim isnt a 550kg kitcar....
somebody mentioned Nitron:
yeah, thats a "proper" suplier of high quality shocks.
i always wonder if there isnt any type-approval or test for such rubbish delivering companies like G.Z?
even when their suplier delivers a wrong batch of bushes its THEIR problem to sort that out...it seems that there is no in process quality control...poor..poor.
i remember a simlar problem from Protech (was also mentioned here on PH)...ok...i presume that both companies do have the same supliers for bushes, valves etc..
such companies should be reported for dangerous parts...but where you could report them?
rubbish chinese imported parts will get rejected, but things happening on the local market do not get approved nor tested.
Edited by Comadis on Tuesday 27th July 20:26
Yes Gaz do make a lot of shocks for the kit car market but also offer solutions for a lot of classic cars and performance cars that want to upgrade.
Our friend from Germany also fails to mention that Gaz are more involved in club motorsport than any other UK company (including Nitron) so their shocks do stand up to extreme use.
That said, the episode with the cracked loops on the old Gaz gold was not their finest moment but Gaz have reacted by producing the Gaz Gold pro range which answer all the potential problems from the previous model, they are tougher, better bearing loops and the revision to stop the squeaky valves has improved the shock operation, with adjustment for personal settings an easier task.
One of the applications for these shocks is deemed a suitable case for TUV type approval from one of our German customers and applications are being prepared for one of the strictest approval tests around.
There are now 1400 kits on Tivs with happy owners (including me)and the silent majority regularly tell me how happy they are when I meet them at shows and those who arn't happy should do like some of the others on this thread and pick up the phone rather than moan on the forums imho.
Our friend from Germany also fails to mention that Gaz are more involved in club motorsport than any other UK company (including Nitron) so their shocks do stand up to extreme use.
That said, the episode with the cracked loops on the old Gaz gold was not their finest moment but Gaz have reacted by producing the Gaz Gold pro range which answer all the potential problems from the previous model, they are tougher, better bearing loops and the revision to stop the squeaky valves has improved the shock operation, with adjustment for personal settings an easier task.
One of the applications for these shocks is deemed a suitable case for TUV type approval from one of our German customers and applications are being prepared for one of the strictest approval tests around.
There are now 1400 kits on Tivs with happy owners (including me)and the silent majority regularly tell me how happy they are when I meet them at shows and those who arn't happy should do like some of the others on this thread and pick up the phone rather than moan on the forums imho.
t does happen@AB:
you said "....also fails to mention that Gaz are more involved in club motorsport than any other UK company (including Nitron) so their shocks do stand up to extreme use."
if a shock fails on the track it cant harm uninvolved people...on normal road use an accident is something completly differnt as on a track!!!!
also, track cars do get more attention, servicewise, so failures on parts are more or less recognized immediately, plus a track car does not do any high mileage.
on a road car, especially where the shocks are hidden behind the wings, also without an easy access for daily inspection, such things as shocks must do their job without getting any special "attention" after each use.
and why a lot of people from club-sports buy G.Z? that´s a typical today´s bargain-hunter mentality.
when they would ever haven driven a e.g. Bilstein, Koni, Nitron, KW shocks, properly setup for their car and intended use, they would never come back to G.Z, Sp.x, Pro.ech etc.
also the mentioned TÜV type approval seems to have a good reputation abroad, but we know over here that in the meanwhile the organisation called "TÜV" uses this as a "tool" to make money...also a lot of products get the type approval certificate, but reading the certificate indicates that maybe a few parts of the complete item have been checked or only the production proicess of certain parts. so its not an approval at all.
you said "....also fails to mention that Gaz are more involved in club motorsport than any other UK company (including Nitron) so their shocks do stand up to extreme use."
if a shock fails on the track it cant harm uninvolved people...on normal road use an accident is something completly differnt as on a track!!!!
also, track cars do get more attention, servicewise, so failures on parts are more or less recognized immediately, plus a track car does not do any high mileage.
on a road car, especially where the shocks are hidden behind the wings, also without an easy access for daily inspection, such things as shocks must do their job without getting any special "attention" after each use.
and why a lot of people from club-sports buy G.Z? that´s a typical today´s bargain-hunter mentality.
when they would ever haven driven a e.g. Bilstein, Koni, Nitron, KW shocks, properly setup for their car and intended use, they would never come back to G.Z, Sp.x, Pro.ech etc.
also the mentioned TÜV type approval seems to have a good reputation abroad, but we know over here that in the meanwhile the organisation called "TÜV" uses this as a "tool" to make money...also a lot of products get the type approval certificate, but reading the certificate indicates that maybe a few parts of the complete item have been checked or only the production proicess of certain parts. so its not an approval at all.
Comadis said:
@AB:
you said "....also fails to mention that Gaz are more involved in club motorsport than any other UK company (including Nitron) so their shocks do stand up to extreme use."
if a shock fails on the track it cant harm uninvolved people...on normal road use an accident is something completly differnt as on a track!!!!
also, track cars do get more attention, servicewise, so failures on parts are more or less recognized immediately, plus a track car does not do any high mileage.
on a road car, especially where the shocks are hidden behind the wings, also without an easy access for daily inspection, such things as shocks must do their job without getting any special "attention" after each use.
and why a lot of people from club-sports buy G.Z? that´s a typical today´s bargain-hunter mentality.
when they would ever haven driven a e.g. Bilstein, Koni, Nitron, KW shocks, properly setup for their car and intended use, they would never come back to G.Z, Sp.x, Pro.ech etc.
also the mentioned TÜV type approval seems to have a good reputation abroad, but we know over here that in the meanwhile the organisation called "TÜV" uses this as a "tool" to make money...also a lot of products get the type approval certificate, but reading the certificate indicates that maybe a few parts of the complete item have been checked or only the production proicess of certain parts. so its not an approval at all.
Probably some truth in what you say about TUV but as for the rest you are assuming that all the manufacturers you describe as producing kits have optomised kits for the cars and that is not the case, non of the manufacturers you have mentioned have done any type testing apart from Bilstein on the Sagaris and that was definately more track focused with 500/400lb springs. you said "....also fails to mention that Gaz are more involved in club motorsport than any other UK company (including Nitron) so their shocks do stand up to extreme use."
if a shock fails on the track it cant harm uninvolved people...on normal road use an accident is something completly differnt as on a track!!!!
also, track cars do get more attention, servicewise, so failures on parts are more or less recognized immediately, plus a track car does not do any high mileage.
on a road car, especially where the shocks are hidden behind the wings, also without an easy access for daily inspection, such things as shocks must do their job without getting any special "attention" after each use.
and why a lot of people from club-sports buy G.Z? that´s a typical today´s bargain-hunter mentality.
when they would ever haven driven a e.g. Bilstein, Koni, Nitron, KW shocks, properly setup for their car and intended use, they would never come back to G.Z, Sp.x, Pro.ech etc.
also the mentioned TÜV type approval seems to have a good reputation abroad, but we know over here that in the meanwhile the organisation called "TÜV" uses this as a "tool" to make money...also a lot of products get the type approval certificate, but reading the certificate indicates that maybe a few parts of the complete item have been checked or only the production proicess of certain parts. so its not an approval at all.
Andy JB said:
My 2007 Golds havn't cracked but they do squeak very annoyingly.
Anyone have a solution rather than change them at my own cost (nice to do their R&D)?
I've tried sofening them then firming things again etc withjout any joy. Lube the stanchions perhaps or is this a no no - can the seals cope?
Possibly your wishbone bushes if they are of the "Polybush" variety.Anyone have a solution rather than change them at my own cost (nice to do their R&D)?
I've tried sofening them then firming things again etc withjout any joy. Lube the stanchions perhaps or is this a no no - can the seals cope?
haircutmike said:
Andy JB said:
My 2007 Golds havn't cracked but they do squeak very annoyingly.
Anyone have a solution rather than change them at my own cost (nice to do their R&D)?
I've tried sofening them then firming things again etc withjout any joy. Lube the stanchions perhaps or is this a no no - can the seals cope?
Possibly your wishbone bushes if they are of the "Polybush" variety.Anyone have a solution rather than change them at my own cost (nice to do their R&D)?
I've tried sofening them then firming things again etc withjout any joy. Lube the stanchions perhaps or is this a no no - can the seals cope?
Looks like you have an example of the squeaky ones I am afraid:-(
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