Another Vixen S3 rear suspension question.

[simonpa]

My pile o' bits included 1 rear shock/spring per side.
The large through-bolt on the upright and the new replacement through-bolts that the previous owner supplied are the shorter version, indicating (I think) that the car only ever had 1 shock/spring at the rear.

Should the shock be mounted on the front or rear mounting in a single-shock setup?
Also, should spacers just be used to fill in any 'gaps', preventing unnecessary twisting of bushes?

Looking at previous posts/pics, I've seen single-shocks in both positions.

Many thanks in advance!

Cheers - Simon

[ATE399J]

This question has been asked several times before (suggest you search for the previous threads), however, as far as l remember there wasn't a final answer. I seem to remember that the conclusion may have been that two on each rear is best.

No doubt this post will be corrected in a minute or two.........

http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=5&a...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=3&a...

Etc. etc.

Edited by ATE399J on Wednesday 25th February 20:46

[GTRene]

with that construction I also thinks 2 on each side is best, because of the lever(ish) system, that way you divide the pressure better on the parts/arms.

[simonpa]

Thanks both.

I understand that, but as the original car managed over 80k miles in a single shock/spring configuration, I was intending to rebuild it the same way, but with new parts, of course.

I'm really after guidance of the original configuration, as the car was completely disassembled when I bought it.

I'm a little confused over the 1-shock/2-shock setup, as all the examples I have heard discussed use 2 or 4 of the same shock.
With the weight distribution being pretty equal front/back, I would expect the 4-shock rear to be over-damped?

TIA - Simon

[asteinha]

Hi, sorry for my bad english.

The cars with the rear single shocks have this on the front.

As i know, the Vixen with the round tubes frame do have 2 rear shocks, the Vixen with the "M-Frame" do have only one rear shock.

Gruß
Toni

[GTRene]

maybe you also can find some info/guiding here?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=129...

and

http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...

and or

http://www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?t=490504&f=34&...

[Moto]

simonpa said:

Thanks both.

I understand that, but as the original car managed over 80k miles in a single shock/spring configuration, I was intending to rebuild it the same way, but with new parts, of course.

TIA - Simon

Simon, Do you know for sure 2 spring was the original setup and nobody has changed it. My S3 had the 4 spring setup when I got the car but "suposedly" it would have been 2 spring setup at manufacture. I've rebuilt it as a 4 spring setup and it feels good, not over damped at all. It also seems more logical to spread the load either side of the upright.

[RCK974X]

For info, one of my steel rods was bent when I looked at the car, so I replaced it with a 4 shock and spring setup, on the basis it splits the weight/load evenly on the rod. You do then need springs with about half the original rate....

[foxdog]

Hi Steve when I had DGG it did have one spring/shock setup that was in 1980, maybe Robin modified it. She's looking good by the way
Regards Alan

Moto said:

Simon, Do you know for sure 2 spring was the original setup and nobody has changed it. My S3 had the 4 spring setup when I got the car but "suposedly" it would have been 2 spring setup at manufacture. I've rebuilt it as a 4 spring setup and it feels good, not over damped at all. It also seems more logical to spread the load either side of the upright.

[Moto]

foxdog said:

Hi Steve when I had DGG it did have one spring/shock setup that was in 1980, maybe Robin modified it. She's looking good by the way
Regards Alan

Moto said:

Simon, Do you know for sure 2 spring was the original setup and nobody has changed it. My S3 had the 4 spring setup when I got the car but "suposedly" it would have been 2 spring setup at manufacture. I've rebuilt it as a 4 spring setup and it feels good, not over damped at all. It also seems more logical to spread the load either side of the upright.

Hi Alan. Interesting to know that for sure. I never managed to track Robin down, nor the last owner. Therefore apart from the info you passed on to me, I know very little more.

I've just finished rebuilding the front corners (this winter's project) ready for enjoying the better weather.

Is the white Vixen in your profile yours as it's not listed in your garage?

Edited by Moto on Thursday 26th February 22:20

[foxdog]

Hi Steve yes that is my car just not got round to putting it in the garage ,I am also in the middle of rebuilding my front corners I did the the backend last year.

Alan

Moto said:

Hi Alan. Interesting to know that for sure. I never managed to track Robin down, nor the last owner. Therefore apart from the info you passed on to me, I know very little more.

I've just finished rebuilding the front corners (this winter's project) ready for enjoying the better weather.

Is the white Vixen in your profile yours as it's not listed in your garage?

Edited by Moto on Thursday 26th February 22:20

[Moto]

foxdog said:

Hi Steve yes that is my car just not got round to putting it in the garage ,I am also in the middle of rebuilding my front corners I did the the backend last year.

Alan

Moto said:

Hi Alan. Interesting to know that for sure. I never managed to track Robin down, nor the last owner. Therefore apart from the info you passed on to me, I know very little more.

I've just finished rebuilding the front corners (this winter's project) ready for enjoying the better weather.

Is the white Vixen in your profile yours as it's not listed in your garage?

Edited by Moto on Thursday 26th February 22:20

Any more photos. I don't recognise seeing it before.

I also did the back corners last year. Next week going to Adrian to have the geometry set up so I get the benefit of the suspension now being sorted for another 10 years.