2006 V8 Vantage shock replacements
Discussion
Happily, my 2006 V8 Vantage just finished and passed its annual check-up. But my dealership's mechanic indicated the car's shocks may require future attention...saying there was a "slight leak from all four shocks, no drips just wet." The dealer's price for 4 replacements and installation was "shocking," so I'm for other potential suppliers and an independent repair place to put them on.
I hope somebody can offer advice or direct me to other suitable sources for shocks that work. Thanks!
I hope somebody can offer advice or direct me to other suitable sources for shocks that work. Thanks!
It is my understanding that you can’t buy a replacement off the shelf other than from AM (originally were Multimatics and then Bilstein) or Nitron. If all 4 are starting to get wet, then it could be expensive. Even the direct OEM ones will set you back about £500 a corner. Both AM and indies can offer you a solution, but it’s going to hurt......
Edited by leerandle on Tuesday 5th June 16:23
Falcon75 said:
...saying there was a "slight leak from all four shocks, no drips just wet."
That does not sound alarming - so no rushed action required as long as they don't drip...I recently replaced my 07 V8V's original Dynamics dampers with low milage, second hand Bilsteins (non-sportpack) from the later model.
I payed 1000 Euro for the complete set (dampers & springs & top-bushing) which looked like new and ~630 Euro for the fitting & alignment at an Aston dealer (was in winter and my garage is not heated...).
The Bilsteins surely make the car feel more modern, add a lot of ride comfort and stability at higher speeds on rough roads (where the Dynamics did run out options).
Maybe this could be an option for you?
I believe second hand bilsteins pop up every now and then.
Thomas
I have a used set of dynamics with springs that have done only 30 thousands miles. Ive just had them all dyno'd and checked by a gentleman at ohlins. and can even provide dyno sheets if required. I was just about to put them and the full spring set up for sale but would much prefer to sell them to a fellow member and cut out the ebay nonsense, so feel free to message me if you are interested!
8Tech said:
Bilstein should be able to supply the shocks off the shelf. They may even be the adjustable bodied, coil-over type. I got them directly from Bilstein UK for under £1000.00 per full set.
Well done, I'm sure I tried to get some Bilsteins but didn't get any luck or they were really expensive.You did very well getting them for £1000
I'll keep that in mind if mine ever need doing again.
They appear to be badged up Phoenix Motorsport, might be worth contacting them in you don't get any luck with the part numbers.
http://www.phoenixmotorsport.co.uk/
http://www.phoenixmotorsport.co.uk/
You need to speak to David Masters in the Bilstein workshop. He dealt with my shocks in November 2013 and may have the details on record.
Here is the contact info from our email exchanges at that time. Whether or not he still works there building up the specialist shocks, or whether the contact details are the same I do not know, you will need to try. If his details are no longer valid, you could email the CEO, Aaron.Quilter@kruppbilstein.co.uk to identify who you need to speak to. His 2019 email was Aaron.Quilter@thyssenkrupp.com so David Masters' may have changed also.
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH
Unit 3 Swannington Road | Broughton Astley | Leicestershire | LE9 6TU | England
Phone:+44 1455 283407 | Fax:+44 1455 283301 |
E-mail: david.masters@kruppbilstein.co.uk |Internet: www.bilstein.de
Cheers,
Gerry.
Here is the contact info from our email exchanges at that time. Whether or not he still works there building up the specialist shocks, or whether the contact details are the same I do not know, you will need to try. If his details are no longer valid, you could email the CEO, Aaron.Quilter@kruppbilstein.co.uk to identify who you need to speak to. His 2019 email was Aaron.Quilter@thyssenkrupp.com so David Masters' may have changed also.
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH
Unit 3 Swannington Road | Broughton Astley | Leicestershire | LE9 6TU | England
Phone:+44 1455 283407 | Fax:+44 1455 283301 |
E-mail: david.masters@kruppbilstein.co.uk |Internet: www.bilstein.de
Cheers,
Gerry.
Try these guys, they're in Sussex.
These dampers have been developed in house by Vantage Engineering to address the ongoing reliability issues associated with the standard factory units fitted to V8 Vantage and DB9 and to facilitate adjustable ride height and damping. The key features and benefits are as follows.
• Reliability
• These units are fully rebuildable (unlike the standard factory units)
• Long warranty
• Adjustable ride height
• Quick and easy fitting
• Adjustable damping or factory mirrored damping
These dampers have been developed in house by Vantage Engineering to address the ongoing reliability issues associated with the standard factory units fitted to V8 Vantage and DB9 and to facilitate adjustable ride height and damping. The key features and benefits are as follows.
• Reliability
• These units are fully rebuildable (unlike the standard factory units)
• Long warranty
• Adjustable ride height
• Quick and easy fitting
• Adjustable damping or factory mirrored damping
JonnyCJ said:
Being part way through a front end refurb on my Vantage, I thought the bush in the shock was looking a bit tired. So I contacted Bilstein regarding the rebuild service or getting hold of a new bush. Unfortunately it wasn't a positive response....."Unfortunately we do not offer that service on these shocks due to the way they are crimped. As these are exclusive to Aston Martin we also do not supply spare parts either."
As there's nothing materially wrong with my shocks they will be going back on as is, after a bit of a clean up, but I feel another missed opporuntiy to refresh stuff while it's apart.
On a more positive note, the chaps at AstonMartinBits are attempting to source the ball joints for the upper and lower wishbones.
Does anyone have views on how difficult it might be to press the old ones out of the aluminium castings?
Good news on the ball joints James - disappointing on the shocks. Looks like aftermarket will be the way to go in future if someone can come up with a decent solution. I know Bamford Rose did a piece on shocks a while ago, but not sure whether they have any aftermarket ones they recommend aside from their adjustable system.
JonnyCJ said:
Good news on the ball joints James - disappointing on the shocks. Looks like aftermarket will be the way to go in future if someone can come up with a decent solution. I know Bamford Rose did a piece on shocks a while ago, but not sure whether they have any aftermarket ones they recommend aside from their adjustable system.
Am I right in thinking the BR adjustable shocks are Bilstein? I've been offered the standard or track version of the Bilstein shocks by AHM when mine need doing but I do like the idea that Vantage Engineering have which I think is to go with the standard OEM fit shock and effectively rebuild them so they are tuneable and offer 3 year warranty on them also.
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