shock absorber advice

[daren parker]

hello ive had my shock absorbers looked at today and the verdict is they have shot it but the springs are fine .i dont know what to do ,i can eather purchase gaz fully ajustable which come with new springs cost £450 plus v.a.t.my other option is just to change the shock absorbers and there are alot on the market .ive been looking at avo ajustable shocks at £70 each or spax ajustable at £84 .the only problem is i can not ajust the ride height .please give me some advice thanks

[spend]

Avos are certainly adjustable for ride height. Springs are not expensive!! and having springs matched to your dampers is pretty crucial. I would also be surprised if your dampers are shot that your springs are still 'perfect'

Dave

[daren parker]

my shockers which are on the car are orig blistein ,will these springs not fit avo or spax can i not re use the springs for other shock absorbers thanks

[FunkyGibbon]

I've had the gaz-golds fitted and they transformed the car - so I'd recommend them.

[spend]

daren parker said:

my shockers which are on the car are orig blistein ,will these springs not fit avo or spax can i not re use the springs for other shock absorbers thanks

You could re-use the springs, just as you could replace the shocks & springs with a block of wood or piece of metal. Obviously the quality of the ride & handling might be compromised to a greater or lesser degree.... If you are going to spend so much on dampers £20ish for a pair of suitable springs seems a no-brainer to me...

Dave

[GreenV8S]

Different dampers may need different diameter or length springs, even if they need the same rate. If you are changing the dampers you may well find that the recommended spring rates for the replacements are different to the original springs anyway. It's your money, but to me it doesn't seem sensible to try to cut corners for a sake of £10-£15 per spring.

[Flintstone]

What he said ^^^^^^^

[blujay10]

I was in the same situation not long ago. i spoke to absolutely shocks and they talked me through what I wanted and came up with some suggestions. No pressure, just good advice IMHO. Maybe worth a call before you spend all that hard earned cash! For what its worth I would agree with previous posts, in that it is worth changing the springs at the same time......

[cjs]

I fitted AVO's and after a month I was on Gaz. They are the best value for money. You should get new springs, they are only £15 each.

[Overhere]

The choice is wide, I'm not an expert but am really happy with up-grading my shocks. I chose Gaz from Derek at Absolutly Shocks. Truth is I've had to have several replaced because of squeeking and cluncking sounds, but the car handles superbly compaired to the originals, and the adjustment is grea for cruzing vs thrashing/track.

I'm a little pissed off with the problems and truth is I wish I'd gone for Nitros, but the cost diff is alot.

Car handles so much better with the new Gaz, tonnes better

[Jay Ayegees]

Overhere

Not sure if your experience with GAZs is representative BUT based on your experience I would definitely give GAZ a miss and go for Nitrons.

Jay

[Flintstone]

Jay Ayegees said:

Overhere

Not sure if your experience with GAZs is representative BUT based on your experience I would definitely give GAZ a miss and go for Nitrons.

Jay

That's four (including me) that recommend Gaz, one who had a bad experience that was rectified yet you still recommend spending double(?) on Nitrons

[spend]

Flintstone said:

That's four (including me) that recommend Gaz, one who had a bad experience that was rectified yet you still recommend spending double(?) on Nitrons

An engine with 20% improvement might cost treble... Extra performance always comes at a disproportional cost, I think the logic leading to your confusion is flawed. By the time you've fitted them, adjusted them (all takes much longer than you imagine) you might as well buy the best you can afford IMHO.

J is a little harsh tho, most of the damper manufacturers have had QA problems at some stage, as long as they look after their customers I see no problem, inconvenient but shit happens.

Dave

[The AJP Griff]

I'm just in the process of having the 'sport'Bilsteins re-furbed for L110.Cost is £60 each+vat,and they can also machine extra circlip grooves in the body's to make the ride height adjustableThey can re-valve your std shocks to 'sport' spec if you want.Considering your springs are fine this could be a worthwhile proposition.The sport shocks a surprisingly very good if you get chance to try some which arent worn out.
I'm afraid i couldn't reccommend Gaz either,Protech are the best of the budget dampers

Edited by The AJP Griff on Saturday 14th July 12:39

[Toma500]

The AJP Griff said:

I'm just in the process of having the 'sport'Bilsteins re-furbed for L110.Cost is £60 each+vat,and they can also machine extra circlip grooves in the body's to make the ride height adjustableThey can re-valve your std shocks to 'sport' spec if you want.Considering your springs are fine this could be a worthwhile proposition.The sport shocks a surprisingly very good if you get chance to try some which arent worn out.

Thats very interesting Ive just swapped my old bilsteins for protechs which seem to be excellent however i did keep the old shocks and springs so i could get them re-furbed . Is there any outwards sign that the shocks are sport spec ? or do you have to take them apart to find out . Tom

[The AJP Griff]

Toma500 said:

The AJP Griff said:

I'm just in the process of having the 'sport'Bilsteins re-furbed for L110.Cost is £60 each+vat,and they can also machine extra circlip grooves in the body's to make the ride height adjustableThey can re-valve your std shocks to 'sport' spec if you want.Considering your springs are fine this could be a worthwhile proposition.The sport shocks a surprisingly very good if you get chance to try some which arent worn out.

Thats very interesting Ive just swapped my old bilsteins for protechs which seem to be excellent however i did keep the old shocks and springs so i could get them re-furbed . Is there any outwards sign that the shocks are sport spec ? or do you have to take them apart to find out . Tom

You would really 'have' to take them apart to be certain i guess,as it's differnt valving,i'm not aware if there are other differences,such as rod dia etc,but i was told by a well respected indie that they often carry a red band around the lower part of the body,which mine also had.

[The AJP Griff]

Paul,could i contact you about your early 500 please?I have a question i'd like to ask you about it,which i can't put on a public forum.

[Toma500]

Thanks for that AJP , will go and have a look hows the restoration coming along ? Ooops sorry for hijacking the thread . Yes no problem .

Edited by Toma500 on Saturday 14th July 13:06

[foggylad69]

SPAX shocks with adjustable spring mounts etc and complete with springs from SILVERSTONE TUNING £449.99 INC VAT TEL [phone] I EVEN GOT FREE DELIVERY