Tuscan Suspension

[wily_coyote]

I bought my (2001) Tuscan at the beginning of August and set about driving it as much as I could to a) get used to it b) see what might drop off or stop working. I had read all of the horror stories about 'jittery suspension', 'bump steer' etc but after a quick 1000 mile excursion to the nether reaches of Scotland and then most of Derbyshire in a day with the Club, I was pleasantly surprised - it all seems to work reasonably well. I love the driving position, the ride and the handling. Maybe it's me that's defective?

Over the winter, I'm going to get stuck in to systematically working through the suspension - I've already pulled one corner to bits, painted the wishbones with 2K epoxy, checked the bushes, replaced the drop-links and ball joints and now I've got my eye on the shocks and springs (Bilstein + Eibach). Like I said, the ride and handling seem fine - this is all preventative maintenance that will get rid of any rust on the wishbones etc and make sure everything is as it should be.

The front springs are quite tatty, although the shocks appear to be OK. Obviously, if this is original kit, then even replacing it like-for-like would bring benefits, so I thought I'd just see what wisdom is lurking here. Shock technology has probably advanced in the last 15-20 years, but as Bilstein probably know a thing or two in this respect, should I just get the originals refurbed or spend a wee bit more and go (for example) for a set of Protecs c/w springs?

Is it worth getting the shabby springs blasted and re-coated, or is it more prudent to just to replace them?

I've seen lots of posts where owners are adamant that 'A'-shocks are the only ones to fit, while 'B'-shocks are 'rubbish'. Whereas I have no doubt that a shiny set of Ohlins would look very nice, I'm not sure that either my driving or non-track use comes close to warranting such an extravagance.

Any thoughts or experiences to share? Thanks.

[phillpot]

Bilsteins refurbed and somewhere like Maldon Coatings will get your springs looking like better than new

[glow worm]

I thought early MK1s had Harvey-Bailey springs and dampers fitted as new. MK2s were all Bilstein & Eibach and spring rates were changed numerous times by TVR .
I replaced my Billies with Nitrons(even stiffer front spring rates than the stiffen up 'S springs) last year I am pleased with the outcome

[wily_coyote]

phillpot said:

Bilsteins refurbed and somewhere like Maldon Coatings will get your springs looking like better than new

Thanks @phillpot - good referral. Are there likely to be any issues with refurbing old road springs?

[wily_coyote]

glow worm said:

I thought early MK1s had Harvey-Bailey springs and dampers fitted as new. MK2s were all Bilstein & Eibach and spring rates were changed numerous times by TVR .
I replaced my Billies with Nitrons(even stiffer front spring rates than the stiffen up 'S springs) last year I am pleased with the outcome

Thanks. My car had a factory engine rebuild in 2004 - I wonder if they tweaked the suspension at the same time?

[s6boy]

wily_coyote said:

Thanks @phillpot - good referral. Are there likely to be any issues with refurbing old road springs?

If you don't know the provenance of the springs I would replace them as a matter of course, both my rear ones had softened ('04 car with c.80k ,miles) resulting in too many visits to the bump stops! I replaced all 4 and look at it as an investment, never take a short cut with tyres, brakes and suspension on a TVR.