Gaz shocks and springs...
Gaz shocks and springs...
Author
Discussion

S3Paulo

Original Poster:

323 posts

258 months

Tuesday 7th March 2006
quotequote all
A couple of weeks ago I almost traded her in but got offered too little in exchange.....stuck it in for an MOT instead...which it failed on leaking shocks. I always thought the ride was a bit skittish but had nothing to compare it with having never owned an S before.

Anyways....the old 'Griff fund' has taken yet another hammering and I've now got some nice shiny nickel plated
Gaz shocks/springs fitted... watta' transformation...If the weather wasn't so shite I'd still be out in it now...

They are set on 'about town comfy mode' at the moment... my fillings are in no danger of falling out anymore...as soon as the sun comes out I'll be adjusting them up and having a little play....

Ride height was set up a bit to facilitate opening of the bonnet fully....wheels now look a tad inconsequential in the wheel arches...like where did all that feckin' wheel arch come from..?

Will it settle back any...? Any thoughts chaps....Paul

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Tuesday 7th March 2006
quotequote all
It depends whether the height was set to let the bonnet open fully or keeping the wishbones level to keep the roll centres right.
If as I suspect, Mike at Horizon fitted the shocks I would have suspected the later but after a run about they usually settle down a bit and ride height needs checking.
I did notice my car was higher when Gugi did mine but Oh the handling when they are set up right

Try about 12/14 clicks on the front and 18/20 on the back for enthusastic driving in the dry.

>> Edited by the gazman on Tuesday 7th March 22:25

Hoover.

5,993 posts

271 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
When I had my shocks fitted to the S....... I wanted it looking right sitting on the road...... this unfortunatly ment the bonnet could not be opened unless the ground n car was sitting 100%....

you get what yiu ask for,,,, bonnet open .. 4x4 look alike or looking right an might just be able to open bonnet.... just my opinion (obviosly every car is differnt due to the nature of construction)

SS2.

14,709 posts

267 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
Hoover. said:
When I had my shocks fitted to the S....... I wanted it looking right sitting on the road...... this unfortunatly ment the bonnet could not be opened unless the ground n car was sitting 100%....

These little beauties do the trick. Cheap as chips from Halfords or any carvanning shop and easily stowable in the boot..





Now if only there was a 'Useful S Tips' sticky at the top of this forum to post these little gems .....

GreenV8S

31,017 posts

313 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
A couple of lengths of 2x4 works for me. Mind you, mine is quite a low lower than standard so I need them more often than most.

S3Paulo

Original Poster:

323 posts

258 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
the gazman said:
Try about 12/14 clicks on the front and 18/20 on the back for enthusastic driving in the dry.


Thanks Gazman for top tip...Yes, Mike did say he'd do any ongoing adjustments as part of the job...so I may very well get him to set it back down again....I don't dig the 4x4 look..
I am really impressed with the ride they give...can't wait for some decent weather...
Don't see me ever selling on now...I suppose it would be deemed greedy owning two TVR's....

Paul.

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
S3Paulo said:
I suppose it would be deemed greedy owning two TVR's....
Paul.


Better than 1 TVR and a Eurobox, I also have two now plus two euroboxes.Too many, must get rid of some.(not the TVR's}

HarryW

16,026 posts

298 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
S3Paulo said:
[quote=the gazman]:.... Mike did say he'd do any ongoing adjustments as part of the job...so I may very well get him to set it back down again....I don't dig the 4x4 look..
I am really impressed with the ride they give...

I've gone back to the 4x4 look myself much better handling as its nearer the original design for roll centres etc ( I think). I don't understand enough about suspension to go lower again myself .

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
HarryW said:
I've gone back to the 4x4 look myself much better handling as its nearer the original design for roll centres etc ( I think). I don't understand enough about suspension to go lower again myself .


I think you're right Harry, its no good looking cool if it won't go round corners.

tvrgit

8,489 posts

281 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
I found that the lower settings left me with flat exhaust downpipes.

Mine is a bit 4x4 now, but at least the exhaust doesn't get ripped off quite as often.

Still seems to handle ok.

F908 Tim

740 posts

268 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
I have had the Derek Gaz treatment and new springs all round.Also the ride height adjusted to 160mm.and alignment sorted.
Can say it looks a bit different and 4X4 to start with but you soon get to like its new looks. Mine was VERY low to start with.
The ride is loads better and its great not to hit the exhaust on anything anymore!!!...And the bonnet opens beyond the stay!

HarryW

16,026 posts

298 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
Not saying I can open the bonnet fully without chocks or scrapping the front lip though .

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
Just put bigger wheels on, seems to be the answer.

S3Paulo

Original Poster:

323 posts

258 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
the gazman said:
Just put bigger wheels on, seems to be the answer.

....Oh no not more wonga.....

GreenV8S

31,017 posts

313 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
What you need is some sort of sacrificial panel attached to the lower leading edge of the bonnet to protect it from scraping on the ground.

HarryW

16,026 posts

298 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
What you need is some sort of sacrificial panel attached to the lower leading edge of the bonnet to protect it from scraping on the ground.

Good point Peter, how do you open yours with that gurt great plywood leading edge spoiler under the front of your, 4 poster lift required me thinks .

longers

4,505 posts

257 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
S3Paulo said:

Gaz shocks/springs fitted... watta' transformation...


Took my car to Steve Guglielmi in Daventry on Saturday to have mine fitted. He rang me yesterday and told me that it was all done and that HE was very happy with the result. Now, having spent some time talking to him on Saturday if he's happy then.....


He said that he'd also sorted a clutch niggle I had.......


Can't wait to pick it up this weekend, just praying that the rain has gone by then (at least it'll wash all that salt away!)

Longers

the gazman

1,686 posts

249 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
I don't know what it is at the moment, all the S's must be comming out of hibernation. Bit of a backlog at the moment.
Don't shout at me.

HarryW

16,026 posts

298 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
the gazman said:
I don't know what it is at the moment, all the S's must be comming out of hibernation. Bit of a backlog at the moment.
Don't shout at me.

SORT IT OUT

Hoover.

5,993 posts

271 months

Wednesday 8th March 2006
quotequote all
GreenV8S said:
What you need is some sort of sacrificial panel attached to the lower leading edge of the bonnet to protect it from scraping on the ground.


Sacraficial panel???? surely you mean paint work ......I love the look of the front of your car ..... pebble dashed/stone chipped/ scrapped..... costa fortune to get that look..... engine tweeks, track daays etc