Dampers

[paul gotts]

I need to decide what to do with the dampers on my 400. I've got AVO's all round at present, but they're definitely past their best. I could get them re-built, but I've never been totally happy with them, especially build quality (flaking paint, adjusters prone to seizing etc.). Does anyone have a view on Redline dampers (I've read Andy Marshall's article on Wedgepages), or any other brand worth a try?

Thanks,

Paul.

[grahamw48]

Do you mean these?
RT racing fitted them to my car in January, along with the new springs.
It doesn't show very clearly, but the bottom portion of the damper is threaded so that you can wind the spring seats up and down with a C-spanner. No spring compressors needed.

Helluva difference!
I'm about to try adjusting them to suit my own likes.

PS. there is a small knob (easily accessible) at the bottom for adjusting the damper.



>> Edited by grahamw48 on Thursday 14th April 23:00

[waynester]

Just fitted some of these to my 400, obtained from RT.

Haven't done enough miles to give a detailed answer..but the ride has massively improved...then again, my old shocks were....shocking.

[andy390]

I have had AVO's on the rear of my 390 for over a year now and have had no problems with them,Ok they are prone to corrode under salt water attack, but i Guess mine is wrapped in cotton wool a lot of the winter

I've got "redline" shocks on the front,and was never happy with them until i took them off one day and discovered they were six clicks out of balance side to side! No wonder she felt funny over bumps!
I had them rebuilt by the manufacturer over the winter and they upgraded them with the new valve bodies they are using now,which do seem better built.

I've yet to test them properly,but at least they have the same resistance side to side now

By the way...has anyone else noticed how similar looking the "Redlines" are to the Gas shocks??...
Andy

[350matt]

worth bearing in mind that AVO's can be rebuilt for 15 quid each...... and if you speak to the factory they'll happily fit stainless adjusters or change valving to suit you for not much more.

[paul gotts]

350matt said:

worth bearing in mind that AVO's can be rebuilt for 15 quid each...... and if you speak to the factory they'll happily fit stainless adjusters or change valving to suit you for not much more.

I spoke to AVO yesterday, rebuild could be up to £35 per unit, depending on what they find. So as they're 7 yrs. old, I was thinking of new maybe.

[paul gotts]

andy390 said:

I've got "redline" shocks on the front,and was never happy with them until i took them off one day and discovered they were six clicks out of balance side to side! No wonder she felt funny over bumps! I had them rebuilt by the manufacturer over the winter and they upgraded them with the new valve bodies they are using now,which do seem better built. I've yet to test them properly,but at least they have the same resistance side to side now By the way...has anyone else noticed how similar looking the "Redlines" are to the Gas shocks??... Andy

Do you mean there was a manufacturing fault giving different damping rates for the same "click" setting, or were they just not adjusted to be the same?

And I believe that the Redlines are made by Protech - not sure who makes Gaz.

[barrington]

gaz shocks are made at basildon i went in ther workshop last week for spacers for my shocks they make there own lathes as far as the eye can see

[andy390]

Paul,it was Gaz who rebuilt my shocks, an yes it was a manufacturing problem.
all's fine now though,following the rebuild.