WARNING! AST CRACKED SHOCKS!

[Tvr Power]

Anyone who has had these shocks fitted please have them inspected immediately.

This particular pair are less than twelve months old




Dom

[phazed]

This happened on another brand some years back.

Wasn't it caused by the spherical bearings, size or corrosion?

[davep]

That's a worrying sight! If that crack further develops into a complete fracture with the car moving at any speed you're fooked. Surely the metal from which that mounting is manufactured is not fit for purpose? Makes me go cold.

[T40ORA]

Mine are fine. Those were probably not well fitted. Looks like a lot of rust; not enough grease?

[phazed]

Ah, I remember now!

These are the ones with the rubber bushes.

The outer sleeve rusts, expands and cracks the body, (end bit) of the damper.!

[portzi]

T40ORA said:

Mine are fine. Those were probably not well fitted. Looks like a lot of rust; not enough grease?

Grease or not rusted dampners and springs already!! they are powder coated or zinc coated so they should not need protection from rust? They should last for a least 12 months surely!! Is the warranty still valid?

[T40ORA]

portzi said:

T40ORA said:

Mine are fine. Those were probably not well fitted. Looks like a lot of rust; not enough grease?

Grease or not rusted dampners and springs already!! they are powder coated or zinc coated so they should not need protection from rust? They should last for a least 12 months surely!! Is the warranty still valid?

Bad batch from the factory? Failed powder coating? Could be wrong, but I bet they will honour any warranty.

[portzi]

T40ORA said:

portzi said:

T40ORA said:

Mine are fine. Those were probably not well fitted. Looks like a lot of rust; not enough grease?

Grease or not rusted dampners and springs already!! they are powder coated or zinc coated so they should not need protection from rust? They should last for a least 12 months surely!! Is the warranty still valid?

Bad batch from the factory? Failed powder coating? Could be wrong, but I bet they will honour any warranty.

Sounds very familiar bad powder coating !! , a certain car company that we all love were good at that . I had a certain make of dampner that has been mentioned earlier that too had the stated cracks in the top joint. .

[SergSC]

Those shocks are mine.

Hopefully tvrparts/AST will quickly make a statement and try to contact customers as it is an issue of safety.

Preliminary information from AST via tvrparts, is that AST say mine used a bad batch of bushes that did not have corrosion treatment. AST are manufacturing a new batch that will be ready for the end of August.
It currently looks like parts/labour will be forthcoming.

There are stories about broken shocks after a few miles for every shock manufacturer (I looked!). What makes the difference for us punters is how/if the problem is resolved at no detriment to us beyond the inevitable inconvenience.

Cheers
S

[phazed]

SergSC said:

Preliminary information from AST via tvrparts, is that AST say mine used a bad batch of bushes
S

Ta da!

There should be absolutely no issue with replacement.

Untreated bushes should have been spotted before assembly, (probably started rusting before fitting).

[SergSC]

phazed said:

Untreated bushes should have been spotted before assembly, (probably started rusting before fitting).

I did not see any rust on them while I had them indoors for a couple of weeks before fitting. Maybe it had just enough of the stuff to get through QC/fitting.

My spare Nitron's (NTR R1 46mm) look practically brand new after I cleaned them up, despite having been on the car for longer and through a winter. Shame they ride so harsh at low speeds.

The Nitron's are going back on there while this stuff gets sorted out.
Since I couldn't sell them off (admittedly didn't try very hard), I will just have them re-valved for road use at some point, rather than keep as an ornament... And either keep the amended AST as spare (handy!), or sell them... Shame again because they do ride comfortably along crap roads.

[phazed]

SergSC said:

phazed said:

Untreated bushes should have been spotted before assembly, (probably started rusting before fitting).

I did not see any rust on them while I had them indoors for a couple of weeks before fitting. Maybe it had just enough of the stuff to get through QC/fitting.

My spare Nitron's (NTR R1 46mm) look practically brand new after I cleaned them up, despite having been on the car for longer and through a winter. Shame they ride so harsh at low speeds.

The Nitron's are going back on there while this stuff gets sorted out.
Since I couldn't sell them off (admittedly didn't try very hard), I will just have them re-valved for road use at some point, rather than keep as an ornament... And either keep the amended AST as spare (handy!), or sell them... Shame again because they do ride comfortably along crap roads.

I meant before the bushes had been fitted in the ally body of the damper, you wouldn't of noticed.


Here we go again.

The 46s are……… YHM.

[GTRene]

maybe 2 materials react to each other?

like in this story>>

http://aluminumsurface.blogspot.nl/2009/04/corrosi...

[R7EBO]

SergSC said:

I did not see any rust on them while I had them indoors for a couple of weeks before fitting. Maybe it had just enough of the stuff to get through QC/fitting.

My spare Nitron's (NTR R1 46mm) look practically brand new after I cleaned them up, despite having been on the car for longer and through a winter. Shame they ride so harsh at low speeds.

The Nitron's are going back on there while this stuff gets sorted out.
Since I couldn't sell them off (admittedly didn't try very hard), I will just have them re-valved for road use at some point, rather than keep as an ornament... And either keep the amended AST as spare (handy!), or sell them... Shame again because they do ride comfortably along crap roads.

If you end up deciding to sell the nitrons (& if they'll go on a Tuscan, not sure what you have!) give me a shout pleeease...

[EGB]

Tvr Power said:

Anyone who has had these shocks fitted please have them inspected immediately.

This particular pair are less than twelve months old




Dom

How caused is the question. I suggest the shock from potholes? Look out for potholes and side step!

[SergSC]

I'm speechless... cant believe I missed this... probably just cosmetic, but REALLY!?



A set of Gaz gold's pros are going on... for a 3rd time lucky attempt...
This is probably a blessing in disguise, as the Nitrons are fit for track use ONLY.

[gruffalo]

SergSC said:

This is probably a blessing in disguise, as the Nitrons are fit for track use ONLY.

Genuinely surprised that is your view, I love my Nitrons both on road and track.

[TV8]

SergSC said:

I'm speechless... cant believe I missed this... probably just cosmetic, but REALLY!?



A set of Gaz gold's pros are going on... for a 3rd time lucky attempt...
This is probably a blessing in disguise, as the Nitrons are fit for track use ONLY.

I am assuming that the other two attempts have not been with Gaz?

Very pleased with my GGP but it think the monos are better - wider range of adjustments.

Also, Gaz do a two way adjustable shock now which my TVR man has on his Chimaera and is very pleased with.

[SergSC]

EGB said:

How caused is the question. I suggest the shock from potholes? Look out for potholes and side step!

But I really enjoy that feeling as the shock travels up your spine and rattles your teeth, extra fun if I bite my tongue, and how the engine bay sounds like a bag of spanners being kicked up in the air then landing back in it. Its so much fun, like a roller coaster ride! I also poop £1.5K every morning to fund this habit.

LOL

Sorry I couldn't resist. I'm going to be unbearably sarcastic for the next 6 months.

[davep]

SergSC said:

I'm speechless... cant believe I missed this... probably just cosmetic, but REALLY!?

Must be those bad bushes again! Looks like a stress crack to me, not cosmetic.

I hope you have more luck with whatever replacements you put on.