Shocks / Dampers / Springs

[over_the_hill]

One of my dampers has started to leak very slightly - It's not gushing out so don't panic !

I've had a search around here but most of the threads seem to be related to which package is best for track day use and how many clicks to set them on etc.

I do a mix of road driving but do not do track days.

I just want something that is fit and forget - not a set that is forever needing adjusting or rebuilding or whatever.

If one is starting to go I'm sure the others are probably not far behind but will I need to change the springs as well as the dampers. Or more to the point how do you tell if the springs need changing ?

What are peoples thought / experiences on this.

Also is replacement a job that is 'do-able' at home with jacks and stands.

Thanks all.

Edited by over_the_hill on Thursday 12th March 09:34

[spitfire4v8]

If you want something adjustable the world is your lobster, if you want something non adjustable that just works for most of your daily driving there's only one choice. ben lang for bilsteins.

[phazed]

As above.

You'll need;
1 or 2 axle stand
1 x jack
2 x 19mm spanners, (combination is best),
1 x 19mm ratchet spanner, (optional),
1 x 19mm socket and ratchet, ( " ),
1 x crowbar and block of wood, (makes light work of easing out and pushing in the top rear bolts).

Allow half a day if they haven't been done recently.

[Andav469]

spitfire4v8 said:

If you want something adjustable the world is your lobster, if you want something non adjustable that just works for most of your daily driving there's only one choice. ben lang for bilsteins.

This is exactly what I have just done, the latest Bilstein's are height adjustable (3 positions) and are a huge improvement from the 16 year old, non leaking standard Bilstein's that I replaced them with.

[kris450]

Andav469 said:

This is exactly what I have just done, the latest Bilstein's are height adjustable (3 positions) and are a huge improvement from the 16 year old, non leaking standard Bilstein's that I replaced them with.

Apologies if this is seen as a thread hijack, it isn't meant to be.

Can you confirm where you got them from and possibly how much (totally understand if you'd rather PM me rather than say on an open forum) ?

Been looking at new springs/dampers and as I very rarely venture on track, Bilsteins seem to one of my better options (I think).

Many thanks

[mattgtd]

kris450 said:

Apologies if this is seen as a thread hijack, it isn't meant to be.

Can you confirm where you got them from and possibly how much (totally understand if you'd rather PM me rather than say on an open forum) ?

Been looking at new springs/dampers and as I very rarely venture on track, Bilsteins seem to one of my better options (I think).

Many thanks

Interested in the answer to this as well please.

[SILICONEKID345HP]

mattgtd said:

Interested in the answer to this as well please.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TVR-Griffith-Chimaera-Bilstein-Rear-Shock-Absorber-D0351-/201171876342?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2ed6c739f6

[Andav469]

kris450 said:

Apologies if this is seen as a thread hijack, it isn't meant to be.

Can you confirm where you got them from and possibly how much (totally understand if you'd rather PM me rather than say on an open forum) ?

Been looking at new springs/dampers and as I very rarely venture on track, Bilsteins seem to one of my better options (I think).

Many thanks

I got mine from Ben Lang, he was a TVR suspension engineer, he still sells the Bilstein's but now the mk4's with 3 height settings and the larger top bushes.
If you look on ebay for chimaera dampers at £138 each, the seller is Ben

[kris450]

Andav469 said:

I got mine from Ben Lang, he was a TVR suspension engineer, he still sells the Bilstein's but now the mk4's with 3 height settings and the larger top bushes.
If you look on ebay for chimaera dampers at £138 each, the seller is Ben

Much appreciated

[over_the_hill]

kris450 said:

Andav469 said:

I got mine from Ben Lang, he was a TVR suspension engineer, he still sells the Bilstein's but now the mk4's with 3 height settings and the larger top bushes.
If you look on ebay for chimaera dampers at £138 each, the seller is Ben

Much appreciated

Thanks for the info so far - all very useful.

Can these be used with the original springs or do they have to be changed as well ?
The original springs look OK - a bit grubby but after a clean up and maybe a repaint I might use them.

Phazed - Thanks for the tool list - nothing exotic in there that I do not have.

I can see the three notches where the silver ring is but out of interest how does this secure.

[SILICONEKID345HP]

Spring to and bushes are on top ,they are starting to get expensive .

[SILICONEKID345HP]

Spring to and bushes are on top ,they are starting to get expensive .

Its weird why they are so much cheaper for euro boxes

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=vi...

[mk1fan]

Larger volume production will reduce costs.

The mountings are more costly to make for the TVR. All adds up.

[SILICONEKID345HP]

mk1fan said:

Larger volume production will reduce costs.

The mountings are more costly to make for the TVR. All adds up.

The TVR shock absorbers are a multi fit and are used on loads of different cars ,especially kit cars .

[mk1fan]

True, but still a fraction of the number of 'standard' road car style units. The component parts are more complicated to make so this will always bump the final price up.

Plus, you're not really comparing like for like.

[over_the_hill]

SILICONEKID345HP said:

Spring to and bushes are on top ,they are starting to get expensive .

Its weird why they are so much cheaper for euro boxes

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=vi...

Yes - even via the e-bay the full works of dampers, springs and bushes starts to stack up.

Despite what I said above a set of GGPros from powers is only just over £700 and that's the full unit bushed and ready to fit.

[jimbo1812]

i just had to replace the AVO's that had been put on the car after they started leaking. i went for the Bilstein once and got the complete set for the Car from Ben Lang. He seems to know his stuff as he worked on suspension set up for the car while working for TVR. The cost was around the the £850 mark.

[jimbo1812]

i just had to replace the AVO's that had been put on the car after they started leaking. i went for the Bilstein once and got the complete set for the Car from Ben Lang. He seems to know his stuff as he worked on suspension set up for the car while working for TVR. The cost was around the the £850 mark.

[skiver]

A couple of years ago Bilstein quoted me around £60 each to service my original shocks. I didn't take them up on it but it seems a reasonable price to end up with a good set of non-adjustables.

Edited by skiver on Friday 13th March 16:14

[Andav469]

over_the_hill said:

Yes - even via the e-bay the full works of dampers, springs and bushes starts to stack up.

Despite what I said above a set of GGPros from powers is only just over £700 and that's the full unit bushed and ready to fit.

I suppose it's a case of 'you get what you pay for'