Leaky Nitron + Spring Recc.
Discussion
I have a leaky Nitron damper on a MK1 2000 car. Has anyone serviced their own with the Nitron servicing kit? Was it fairly straight forward? Any watch outs? I am also thinking of changing the springs to see if I can reduce the crashing over the bumps and pot holes. Any recommendations on springs?. (Crashing was pre damper leak so not the cause)
I've never tried to overhaul my dampers.
About 8 years ago I fitted Gaz Gold Pros on my car - the originals had started to weep.
I guess about 4 years ago I sent all 4 back to Gaz for testing and servicing. For around £200 plus p&p they came back refurbished, and was contacted regarding new springs (which I went for).
I'd imagine Nitron offer a similar service - and would be returned with some sort of warranty. Might be worth contacting them?
I felt that it was worth leaving this to the experts.
Nick
About 8 years ago I fitted Gaz Gold Pros on my car - the originals had started to weep.
I guess about 4 years ago I sent all 4 back to Gaz for testing and servicing. For around £200 plus p&p they came back refurbished, and was contacted regarding new springs (which I went for).
I'd imagine Nitron offer a similar service - and would be returned with some sort of warranty. Might be worth contacting them?
I felt that it was worth leaving this to the experts.
Nick
As said above, Nitron and Gaz charge about £50 each to completely strip down and service each unit which I think is well worth it. You would never be able to strip and rebuild a unit correctly. It is all done in the factory under the right conditions with the right tools and each unit is put on a testing rig to check that all is working within the correct parameters.
As for the crashing over potholes, I think all these cars suffer with that to some degree due to their minimal wheel travel and people trying to give the cars a sporty feel that works on good roads only!.
On my previous Chimaera, I had the best road ride with a set of Pro-Tec standard dampers with 25% uprated springs fitted.
I tried Nitron's but didn't get on with them. I now run Gaz Monos which seem slightly better on the road but like all dampers adjustment needs to be set up as good as you can. Don't leave it at the factory set tingsit but experiment. It would be worth checking if you have the correct springs fitted as it is possible that someone has fitted uprated springs which aren't suitable for the road.
As for the crashing over potholes, I think all these cars suffer with that to some degree due to their minimal wheel travel and people trying to give the cars a sporty feel that works on good roads only!.
On my previous Chimaera, I had the best road ride with a set of Pro-Tec standard dampers with 25% uprated springs fitted.
I tried Nitron's but didn't get on with them. I now run Gaz Monos which seem slightly better on the road but like all dampers adjustment needs to be set up as good as you can. Don't leave it at the factory set tingsit but experiment. It would be worth checking if you have the correct springs fitted as it is possible that someone has fitted uprated springs which aren't suitable for the road.
I've never heard of a refurbishment kit - wonder if it includes the fluids/gasses? But I would just send it back to the manufacturer for peace of mind. As already mentioned above GAZ do a quick turn around for a very reasonable price and would be surprised if Nitron aren't the same.
Springs do sag but replacements are easy to come by from TVR Parts.
Springs do sag but replacements are easy to come by from TVR Parts.
phazed said:
As for the crashing over potholes, I think all these cars suffer with that to some degree due to their minimal wheel travel and people trying to give the cars a sporty feel that works on good roads only!.
Mine used to make me cringe as it was set too low so I'd end up weaving all over the road avoiding holes. As it looked good I left it far too long like this (despite good advice 
) but it drove and rode poorly on anything but smooth roads. Now properly set up the ride height, new springs and refurbished dampers have transformed the ride and cross country pace is higher as the car doesn't hop and skip around. And tram lining is very much better after the geo set up you'll need also.phazed said:
Don't leave it at the factory settings but experiment. It would be worth checking if you have the correct springs fitted as it is possible that someone has fitted uprated springs which aren't suitable for the road.
The most straight forward solution is to take your car to Mat Smith who'll bounce around on each corner, make some adjustments, squeeze himself inside and take it for a drive, make some more adjustments, take your money and watch you leave with a huge smile on your face 
Thanks for all the replies. Having owned the car for +10 years, tweaking it each year, it is "apparently" the best handling Tuscan Neil Garner Racing have ever driven. Whilst this might very well be the case, I still want more, and the crashing was something which started to annoy me last year.
I will send the shock to Nitron as you all say, its worth the money, however re springs, I have read somewhere that some people run the Mk2 springs on their MK1's and I can remember when I fitted the Nitrons if I did the springs too. I am guessing I probably didn't. Does any one have this set up?
I will send the shock to Nitron as you all say, its worth the money, however re springs, I have read somewhere that some people run the Mk2 springs on their MK1's and I can remember when I fitted the Nitrons if I did the springs too. I am guessing I probably didn't. Does any one have this set up?
I would guess if the springs had never been changed that on cars this age they would have been deteriorating slowly before you noticed as slight changes are so difficult to pick up and we adapt.
I never thought to ask what were put on mine as I trust Mats decisions and the difference was so night and day even my seat of pants could tell and it drives exactly how I want it to
Never used Neil Gardner but they seem to have a good reputation so take the advice of those who know you and your driving style.
I never thought to ask what were put on mine as I trust Mats decisions and the difference was so night and day even my seat of pants could tell and it drives exactly how I want it to
Never used Neil Gardner but they seem to have a good reputation so take the advice of those who know you and your driving style.
Basil Brush said:
phazed said:
For £200 or thereabouts I would have the whole set overhauled and serviced.
It's more like 350 now for a basic service on nitrons. I waited at Pro-Tecs once when they renewed all the seals on one of my units while I waited. By the time I had had a cup of tea it was completely rebuilt so £350 doesn’t make sense, not to the punter anyway!
phazed said:
Basil Brush said:
phazed said:
For £200 or thereabouts I would have the whole set overhauled and serviced.
It's more like 350 now for a basic service on nitrons. I waited at Pro-Tecs once when they renewed all the seals on one of my units while I waited. By the time I had had a cup of tea it was completely rebuilt so £350 doesn’t make sense, not to the punter anyway!
The comment that has remained with me was - "You'll pay double the price for Nitrons compared to Gaz, but will the average driver get/notice/feel double the difference in driving - probably not" .
Guess it's up to the individual how he/she spends their money though.
Nick
Thanks. I was interested in your view as you have had both.
Road car. My days of track days and sprinting are long gone (mainly due to time and money i.e. family!).
I went for the pro-techs, which I am pleased with. Was wondering whether I should have spent more, but am pleased you confirmed that I hadn't made the wrong choice.
Road car. My days of track days and sprinting are long gone (mainly due to time and money i.e. family!).
I went for the pro-techs, which I am pleased with. Was wondering whether I should have spent more, but am pleased you confirmed that I hadn't made the wrong choice.
nawarne said:
When I was new to TVR and had put my V8S in for service at (the old?) Austec, the guys there ran through the damper options...As mine were over 10 years old then.
The comment that has remained with me was - "You'll pay double the price for Nitrons compared to Gaz, but will the average driver get/notice/feel double the difference in driving - probably not" .
Guess it's up to the individual how he/she spends their money though.
Nick
15 years ago there weren't many options other than Nitrons for a Tuscan. Mine now need rebuilding and one of them needs a full strip and repair so probably looking at c.500 quid. I'm going to look at other options as only for road use. The comment that has remained with me was - "You'll pay double the price for Nitrons compared to Gaz, but will the average driver get/notice/feel double the difference in driving - probably not" .
Guess it's up to the individual how he/she spends their money though.
Nick
My MK1 S had Racing Red dampers all round, I refurbished the suspension arms, fitted new bushes all round etc 12mths ago, at that time I also replaced the springs with new Nitron standard Tuscan spec units, was very pleased with the overall results.
I have literally just had both rear dampers refurbished at Nitron as they had started weeping, likelihood is they will charge you for new pistons when in as that seems to be a very common reason for leaks.
Still a lot cheaper than a new set though and hopefully good for a few years yet (those springs are 12mths old but still look like new)...
I have literally just had both rear dampers refurbished at Nitron as they had started weeping, likelihood is they will charge you for new pistons when in as that seems to be a very common reason for leaks.
Still a lot cheaper than a new set though and hopefully good for a few years yet (those springs are 12mths old but still look like new)...
Would you care to share the price you had to pay from Nitron for the racing reds rebuild? I've just taken all of mine off as one of the rears definitely needs a rebuild, and i think the others may well need it too. So trying to weigh up the options of Nitron rebuild / GGP / Protech.
I can't justify the cost of new Nitron's given the amount the car gets used and is road only.
I can't justify the cost of new Nitron's given the amount the car gets used and is road only.
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