Bl**dy squeaky Gaz shocks
Bl**dy squeaky Gaz shocks
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Discussion

Bacardi

Original Poster:

2,235 posts

306 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Just wondered if anyone else is having problems? Just over a year ago I decided to improve the Griff so after trawling through the forums and after reading many favourable reviews, decided to go with Gaz... only to find I had some defect ones which caused terrible squeaking. After about a 2 month wait these were eventually replaced and all was well, with the handling and ride all improved.

Within 10 months a squeak was back. At first, it would only start after about 1/2 hour of driving. Went in for it's annual service and the problem was confirmed with one shock. Have been waiting for a replacement to be manufactured for another couple of months in which time the squeaking has just got worse. Not noticable at speed, but driving slower sounds like an old pram or two canaries having a fight. Driving me nuts and completely ruined the driving experience over the summer so much that I haven't wanted to go out frown.

Really not sure what to do, I still have the original Bilsteins so maybe I could get those put back on although not sure where that would leave me in regard to the Gaz purchase. Anyone else had a similar experience, what was the outcome and did it take this long so sort out?

Corky

704 posts

270 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
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Funny that, I have the same problem with mine but only when going over speed bumps at low speed, but the gaz original shocks that Offords fitted had to be replaced,to be honest apart from that that they are very good IMHO.

cjs

11,677 posts

281 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Yes one of mine is squeaking. The squeak only starts after the shock has warmed up, the performance is not affected. I have been living with it as I cannot be bothered to go through all the grief of getting it swapped or fixed. I will wait until the winter then give the Gaz people a call.

Corky

704 posts

270 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
cjs said:
Yes one of mine is squeaking. The squeak only starts after the shock has warmed up, the performance is not affected. I have been living with it as I cannot be bothered to go through all the grief of getting it swapped or fixed. I will wait until the winter then give the Gaz people a call.
I would be very grateful to hear what they have to say, mine were fitted in Feb 06 and similar problems.

2Munkys

1,228 posts

267 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Mine do it; the rear I think. I guess yours have eye-end bearings as opposed to bushes like mine. It does have a rubbishness factor about it.

davido140

9,617 posts

256 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
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I was going to buy a set of these, think I'll save the extra dosh and get nitrons instead! frown

Else

795 posts

268 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Its not exclusively Gaz shocks, the front Protechs on mine squeak at slow speeds. I also live with it coz they are so good at speed which is where it really matters thumbup

Andy

trackcar

6,453 posts

256 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Else said:
Its not exclusively Gaz shocks, the front Protechs on mine squeak at slow speeds. I also live with it coz they are so good at speed which is where it really matters thumbup

Andy
They shouldnt squeak Andy.The protechs are by far the most reliable damper i've ever come across, in fact it's the only damper I'll ever consider sending out mail order .. so if they squeak I'll get them sorted if you want when it's in for mapping?

joo

Groomvroom

926 posts

281 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
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I've got a rear one that squeeks on the griff, only when warmed up again (Gaz Gold) no probs with the Nickles on the Chim though.

tvrbob

11,197 posts

285 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
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I spoke with Derek this morning, basically it is not unknown for performance shocks to develop squeaks but it is also true that fitting them can cause the bushes to squeak. Many people torque up with the suspension in its relaxed position. This causes stresses on the bushes when the suspension is loaded up. Give Derek a call, he's a helpful chap and I'm sure he will help people through this issue.

G1ABB

857 posts

234 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
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I also have a squeaky rear.... Nearside only. I thought it was the exhaust at first... RT Racing in Sheffield identified it as the damper.

I'm tempted to try a drop of WD40? Anyone else tried this option? Alternatively I'll take it back to SSC who originally fitted them (Gold).

Seems like a common problem, regardless of the cause.

cheers
Graham


the gazman

1,686 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
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If anybody has issues with noisy shocks, why not give me a call? 01606 836369

Some of the Gaz shocks are a bit noisy, we have addressed the noise comming from the footvalve and we will happily sort out out any problems you may have.

In our defence, we now have 850 kits on TVR cars with very few problems and any problems found get sorted extremely quickly.

TVR Bob is right, 50% of the squeaking problems I come across are bush related and I get the shocks hot by taking the car for a brisk run and then turn down the shock on the offending corner, if the noise stops I know its the shock, if not I look for other causes.

Else

795 posts

268 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
trackcar said:
Else said:
Its not exclusively Gaz shocks, the front Protechs on mine squeak at slow speeds. I also live with it coz they are so good at speed which is where it really matters thumbup

Andy
They shouldnt squeak Andy.The protechs are by far the most reliable damper i've ever come across, in fact it's the only damper I'll ever consider sending out mail order .. so if they squeak I'll get them sorted if you want when it's in for mapping?

joo
Okay Joo, thanks but i bet they won't do it while your listening. laugh I notice it when i park at work which is about 10mins driving time and again when i get home. I've got so i don't take any notice now, it's not something i'm bothered about but it would be nice to cure it.

For reference, when it first started happening i tried spraying a little WD40 on the piston rods which stopped it for a couple of days.

Andy

bosscerbera

8,188 posts

273 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
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the gazman said:
TVR Bob is right, 50% of the squeaking problems I come across are bush related...
Thirded, although I reckon shock squeaks are much rarer than bush issues (ie less than 50%).

Gooner

243 posts

277 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Derek, I remember you mentioning to me at Brands last year that the type of oil in some of the Gaz shocks could make them squeek. Have I got that right? I intermittently have a problem, only over speed bumps and only in the first 5 mins of running - I forget about it between occurrences. One way to check is to substantially change the setting on the damper (temporarily) - should eliminate the squeeking or change it.

gooner

PS I don't think it is a good idea to put WD40 on the bushes as I think it can cause them to perish over time

PPS Still very happy with my Gaz shocks

the gazman

1,686 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Probably right Phil but I'm not complacent about this, these new high powered shocks will run up to 800lb springs with no problem and do run oil through the footvalve at high pressure, Gaz have been working very hard to ensure that the shocks are as quiet as possible but some are unacceptable and have to be replaced

Happily, Gaz will even pay for the garage to do the changeover which is not common in these circumstances.

Percentage wise, noisy shocks account for about 1% of the total number produced by Gaz, so we are talking about the exception rather than the rule but I appreciate that when it happens its a bit of a pain in the backside for the owner.

the gazman

1,686 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Gooner said:
Derek, I remember you mentioning to me at Brands last year that the type of oil in some of the Gaz shocks could make them squeek. Have I got that right? I intermittently have a problem, only over speed bumps and only in the first 5 mins of running - I forget about it between occurrences. One way to check is to substantially change the setting on the damper (temporarily) - should eliminate the squeeking or change it.

gooner

PS I don't think it is a good idea to put WD40 on the bushes as I think it can cause them to perish over time

PPS Still very happy with my Gaz shocks
Hi, yes last years Gaz Golds were sometimes noisy and a revised footvalve and different oil was implemented and we have just changed the footvalve again so if this intermitant noise persists I will sort ot out for you.

Give me a call to discuss, especially if you are a gooner, they get priorty.

rev-erend

21,623 posts

314 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
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Derek..

Sorry - can't hear the Gaz Golds suqeeking on mine..

Think it might be the exhaust..

Is this normal smile

the gazman

1,686 posts

250 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
I've had a couple of calls from previous posters as a result of my response and we will be sorting out their problems via their installers very quickly.

Graham

16,381 posts

314 months

Thursday 30th August 2007
quotequote all
Its not jut Gaz I had a set of Nitrons that drove me nuts rattling and squeaking they performed brilliantly though and when i got round to seeing Guy he sorted them out for me...