Aesthetics and suspension
Discussion
I've been thinking for a while that the rear end of my S3C sits too high and doesn't look right.
The gap seems much too big between the top of the tyre and the arch. It would look much better if the gap was the same all around. It is currently195mm between the arch and the wheel rim., which doent seem too far off most other cars when I look at the suspension wiki.
had a mess around last night and temporarily lowered the rear end unitil it looked better.
Trouble is, the rear suspension units were then on their bump stops and there was no movement left.
The car was fitted with Gaz Monotubes (the correct kit for the car, according to the Gaz website - GP82286NP) by a previous owner in 2006
The original springs were 350lb rear / 375lb front. The fronts were very tightly wound and clearly too weak for the weight so I changed them last year, shortly after buying the car, to 375lb rear / 425lb front. I was careful to keep the ride height the same, but even then, I didn't like the way the car sat.
I've just put the ride height back to where it was.
Is that just the way it has to be?
Would a different make of shock allow a lower ride height and still let the suspension work?
Any observations appreciated.
Ta.
The gap seems much too big between the top of the tyre and the arch. It would look much better if the gap was the same all around. It is currently195mm between the arch and the wheel rim., which doent seem too far off most other cars when I look at the suspension wiki.
had a mess around last night and temporarily lowered the rear end unitil it looked better.
Trouble is, the rear suspension units were then on their bump stops and there was no movement left.
The car was fitted with Gaz Monotubes (the correct kit for the car, according to the Gaz website - GP82286NP) by a previous owner in 2006
The original springs were 350lb rear / 375lb front. The fronts were very tightly wound and clearly too weak for the weight so I changed them last year, shortly after buying the car, to 375lb rear / 425lb front. I was careful to keep the ride height the same, but even then, I didn't like the way the car sat.
I've just put the ride height back to where it was.
Is that just the way it has to be?
Would a different make of shock allow a lower ride height and still let the suspension work?
Any observations appreciated.
Ta.
Thank you all for your replies. I must say what a friendly much I've bought into with my S.
I'm now seriously beginning to think I have the wrong shocks on the car. WhenI mentioned that I had lowered the rear, the fact of the matter is that, on winding down the collars on the body of the shocks to check out the 'aesthetics', the spring unseats at the top collar (i.e. the damping rod can extend further than the length of the spring - this is okay when the weight is on the springs in the garage, but then the wheels go down a hole on a drive out, the springs could unseat (does that make sense?)).
As for the front, I've realised that the damper body is pushing against the rubber bump stop anyway in the current position. No wonder the front feels a bit harsh.
Looks like my Gaz GP8's might be going....
I'm now seriously beginning to think I have the wrong shocks on the car. WhenI mentioned that I had lowered the rear, the fact of the matter is that, on winding down the collars on the body of the shocks to check out the 'aesthetics', the spring unseats at the top collar (i.e. the damping rod can extend further than the length of the spring - this is okay when the weight is on the springs in the garage, but then the wheels go down a hole on a drive out, the springs could unseat (does that make sense?)).
As for the front, I've realised that the damper body is pushing against the rubber bump stop anyway in the current position. No wonder the front feels a bit harsh.
Looks like my Gaz GP8's might be going....
phazed said:
You say the Monotubes were fitted in 2006 but they weren't for sale to the public till about 2008/9.
Not being picky but you may have a different damper.
I have a pre production set that I bought around late 2008 or 2009.
Hi Peter.Not being picky but you may have a different damper.
I have a pre production set that I bought around late 2008 or 2009.
I hear what you say, but I have the receipt from Horizon Motorsport dated 7th March 2006 in the car's history file showing that, amongst other things, it was fitted with "Gaz shock absorber set GP82286NP" at a cost of £450.21.
Looking at the current Gaz online catalogue, it appears to be the same kit.
glenrobbo said:
Yes, well, err.......there's the rub as they say Andy.
There were a succession of ridiculous speed humps on my satnav's chosen route into Aldeburgh, and each one was causing the exhaust centre box to ground.
These were proper humpety humps, wide & high, but short, specially designed to cause maximum damage to low slung sportscars underthings.
The ones that get the hockey stick clamps are the "cow pat" type of sleeping policemen where your wheels pass either side but your exhaust.....doesn't!
The average S1 does sit lower than subsequent models, but I will have to raise the front by 10mm or so.
On normal roads and on the track, my ride heights are pretty good and Austin handles well.
Hmmm....there's part of dilema Glen. With the high ride height on mine, there are only very few occasions when the exhaust is in danger of being left behind on those feckin speed humps. Admittedly, with a full tank of fuel, me and the bride on board, plus a bit of luggage for a dirty weekend away, at Skeggy it would be a bit lower. It just looks a bit saft unloaded at the roadside (the car, not the wife).....steady...she might read this....There were a succession of ridiculous speed humps on my satnav's chosen route into Aldeburgh, and each one was causing the exhaust centre box to ground.
These were proper humpety humps, wide & high, but short, specially designed to cause maximum damage to low slung sportscars underthings.
The ones that get the hockey stick clamps are the "cow pat" type of sleeping policemen where your wheels pass either side but your exhaust.....doesn't!
The average S1 does sit lower than subsequent models, but I will have to raise the front by 10mm or so.
On normal roads and on the track, my ride heights are pretty good and Austin handles well.
phazed said:
If you have adjustable dampers then you can adjust the ride height by adjusting the spring seats.
That's true. Unfortunately, when the adjusting collars are wound down the threads on the damper body to get the desired ride height, two things happen; the suspension rests on the integral bump stops and the spring unseats from the top collar when the suspension extends. The long and short of it all ('scuse the pun) the shocks (well, really the damper body bit) are too long for the gap betewwen the upper and lower mounting brackets.
My shocks might be okay for earlier S models, but not the S3, which appears to have had some changes.
What a flaming headache...wish I'd not looked!
phillpot said:
NaCl said:
the spring unseats at the top collar
My old AVO's did that, they offered me two options:1. They could shorten the piston rods.
2. They could supply some of these to take up the slack on full drop... helper springs
I don't know about everyone else, but I'm getting fed up with the subject now. It must be boring the mankini off everyone.
I might just jack the car right up, fit some mud tyres and go off-roading.
NaCl said:
phazed said:
Speak to GAZ.
They make a generic damper body and fit different tails to suit different length applications.
They supplied my Monos with the wrong tails and of course supplied the correct ones when discovered!
Worth a go....They make a generic damper body and fit different tails to suit different length applications.
They supplied my Monos with the wrong tails and of course supplied the correct ones when discovered!
I'll let you know how I get on.
Ta.
If I supply them with the upper to lower mounting bracket distances, front and rear, with the car at the correct ride height, they will custom build shocks that will allow the correct travel.
Result.
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