GAZ shocks fitted

[fastandcurious]

Yesterday I spent an interesting day changing my knackered old shocks for a nice new set of GAZ adjustables and had a full geometry done in the comfort of my own garage. My local motor sport guy brought his "Hunter" Hi-tech gear round to my house in his van and having spent most of 'mothers day' in the garage I now know what corner weighting, camber, castor, tow-in, tow-out, etc, etc, is all about. I struggled to undo the rear tow adjusters as they were rusted solid but the thought of having to remove the whole wishbones made me more determined and eventually I succeeded. I haven't had a chance to drive the car properly yet, as by the time we finshed yesterday it was totally dark and the gritting lorry had started its dirty deed for the night. After a short drive around the block I discovered that I needed to stiffen them up. Where's a good place to start? how many clicks? I would be interested to know what other GAZ users are set on for road use. Craig.

[2Munkys]

Assuming we have like for like, mine are somewhere around 12 clicks from softest up front and 16 on the rear. (with 400lb/325lb springs). Each to their own where preferrences are concerned of course but it may give you somewhere to start.

[Barreti]

what he said ^^^^^^

Adjust them just 2 clicks at a time. Its amazing what a difference such a small change makes so don't go mad.

[Ab Shocks]

What they said:
Start at 12 clicks front and 18 clicks rear from soft.

[Uncle Fester]

Ab Shocks said:

What they said:
Start at 12 clicks front and 18 clicks rear from soft.

Derek

How about a beginners guide to selecting which shocks to buy and ajusting your own shocks?

A few words on how the car feels, what that tells you, which way to turn the ajusters and by how much. Different conditions, different settings and so on.

I should think there are plenty of us (myself included) who have fancy shocks without really knowing how to get the best out of them.

The starting settings for each popular type, just so we can get back to the starting point if we need to thanks.

[Ab Shocks]

Good Idea.

George Carter is currently updating our website and with George doing some nice photos and me doing some words, we hope to have some interesting data to assist people fitting all brands of shocks.

[Droptheclutch]

fastandcurious said:

Yesterday I spent an interesting day changing my knackered old shocks for a nice new set of GAZ adjustables and had a full geometry done in the comfort of my own garage. My local motor sport guy brought his "Hunter" Hi-tech gear round to my house in his van and having spent most of 'mothers day' in the garage I now know what corner weighting, camber, castor, tow-in, tow-out, etc, etc, is all about. I struggled to undo the rear tow adjusters as they were rusted solid but the thought of having to remove the whole wishbones made me more determined and eventually I succeeded. I haven't had a chance to drive the car properly yet, as by the time we finshed yesterday it was totally dark and the gritting lorry had started its dirty deed for the night. After a short drive around the block I discovered that I needed to stiffen them up. Where's a good place to start? how many clicks? I would be interested to know what other GAZ users are set on for road use. Craig.

Hi Craig.

On my track car I have them set right in the middle for road use, but as you know, the track car is just a 'little' different to your Griff. LOL. Have you replaced the springs also? If so, what to?

When on track I go for the full monty and wind them all the way up (if it is dry!) :-)

Cheers,

DTC

PS - convoy this Sunday to the HMMM?

[dougc]

Did your local motorsport guy come to you as he's your mate or a mobile entity? I'm in the process of fitting GAZ Golds at the moment and a home visit setup would be handy...

Edited by dougc on Wednesday 5th March 11:52

[AntonyJ]

Fast,where did you get the Gaz shocks from? Been looking at the Gaz website recently.

[dougc]

AntonyJ said:

Fast,where did you get the Gaz shocks from? Been looking at the Gaz website recently.

Phone the number on the website. They're great blokes and happy to chat for ages about the various options and setups.

[Barreti]

You could talk to Derek at Absolutely Shocks (AB SHOCKS above).
I phoned them when installing my GAZ shocks and not once did they question where I got them or how long I'd had them etc that you might get.

Derek phoned me back and was brilliant, telling me the height of the chassis and where to measure it to get the car level on the springs, and what the standard damper clicks should be. They also changed a spring for me as I had 3 rear springs and 1 front! Again, no questions asked and prompt service.

Great to do business with IMHO

Edited by Barreti on Wednesday 5th March 14:35

[steve-V8s]

Not certain about the GAZ units but the general rule with adjustables is always to set n clicks from hard rather than soft. Hard is a specific datum point with the valve fully closed. Soft is a bit more arbitrary and may not be the same for each damper.

[spend]

You should set from hard, but cycle the adjusters to ensure the full range is available, and it also helps keep the adjusters free.

I count from setting to soft, because its better to have them softer rather than harder IMHO (its a psychological thing ) and let the springs work..

Dave

[Ab Shocks]

dougc said:

Did your local motorsport guy come to you as he's your mate or a mobile entity? I'm in the process of fitting GAZ Golds at the moment and a home visit setup would be handy...

Edited by dougc on Wednesday 5th March 11:52

If its on the S Doug, I would bear in mind that the rear toe is shimmed and if outside tolerances needs a bit more than a mobile guy could cary out.

[fastandcurious]

Droptheclutch said:

fastandcurious said:

Yesterday I spent an interesting day changing my knackered old shocks for a nice new set of GAZ adjustables and had a full geometry done in the comfort of my own garage. My local motor sport guy brought his "Hunter" Hi-tech gear round to my house in his van and having spent most of 'mothers day' in the garage I now know what corner weighting, camber, castor, tow-in, tow-out, etc, etc, is all about. I struggled to undo the rear tow adjusters as they were rusted solid but the thought of having to remove the whole wishbones made me more determined and eventually I succeeded. I haven't had a chance to drive the car properly yet, as by the time we finshed yesterday it was totally dark and the gritting lorry had started its dirty deed for the night. After a short drive around the block I discovered that I needed to stiffen them up. Where's a good place to start? how many clicks? I would be interested to know what other GAZ users are set on for road use. Craig.

Hi Craig.

On my track car I have them set right in the middle for road use, but as you know, the track car is just a 'little' different to your Griff. LOL. Have you replaced the springs also? If so, what to?

When on track I go for the full monty and wind them all the way up (if it is dry!) :-)

Cheers,

DTC

PS - convoy this Sunday to the HMMM?

Hi Jason. I bought my shocks from Derek at Absolutely shocks with springs fitted. I used his recomended geo settings. What time are you setting off on Sunday? We can call on you if you wish. Craig.

[fastandcurious]

AntonyJ said:

Fast,where did you get the Gaz shocks from? Been looking at the Gaz website recently.

Speak to Derek or George at Absolutely shocks. They're very helpful.

[dougc]

Ab Shocks said:

dougc said:

Did your local motorsport guy come to you as he's your mate or a mobile entity? I'm in the process of fitting GAZ Golds at the moment and a home visit setup would be handy...

Edited by dougc on Wednesday 5th March 11:52

If its on the S Doug, I would bear in mind that the rear toe is shimmed and if outside tolerances needs a bit more than a mobile guy could cary out.

Thanks Derek. I'll get it booked in somewhere permanent.