I thought it was all going too well

[Gnasher]

Just 4 weeks ago we were enjoying 6 days of top down touring through France in our 4.3 Pre cat.
2000 miles and apart from a slight hiccup with a tickover that stuck at 2400rpm one day all was well.

So well indeed that I never thought to give it a look over before today's MOT.

Well I should have known better. the nearside front Bilstein is leaking fluid, and the rear exhaust mount has come off one of the tailpipes, and taken a lump of pipe with it.

The exhaust looks simple, just take the system off, weld a patch on, & refit the bracket.
The question is what to do about the shocker. The Sport suspension kit was fitted 15k miles ago in 2000, at a cost of over £1200!
I think I'll just replace both front shockers, but Bilstein or some other make? Classic Le Mans is looming so I need to get sorted.

Any advice will be welcomed.

SteveD

[V8 GRF]

Do Bilstein offer a rebuild service? Got to be cheaper than new shocks.

[Gnasher]

Yes I think they do, and that would seem the best option, but I need it back in less than 10 days for the retest.

[V8 GRF]

The Nitron guys reckon they can turn them around in two or three days so it might be worth a go.

[Gnasher]

I've just been offered a set of konis by a mate, so I think I'll use those for now whilst I decide what to do with the Bilsteins.

[rigga]

sports shocks in the classifieds?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/520295.htm

[Gnasher]

Yes, thanks for pointing them out, that's another option.

Steve

[griffter]

I've got some front Bilsteins you can have for free. The catch is they're not in great condition (although they're perfectly servicable after about 15000 miles) and one has a seized bolt in the bottom bush. I couldn't get it out, but a bigger hammer or a large drill might do it. Free to collect or at the Growl.

[Gnasher]

Thanks to everyone for the advice & offers of help. I've now got the exhaust welded & put some old Konis on the front to get it mot'd.

The front Bilsteins went back to the factory for refurb, but they were beyond that & effectively scrap.

So I've been looking for 2 new ones to fit before setting off to Classic Le Mans next week & what a pain that's been. I have eventually got 2 from Hexham Horseless.

There does seem to be quite a bit of preload with these, the free length of the Eibach spring is 250mm & the distance between the flanges on the shocks is 210mm, so there's 40mm of compression . Is this right?

[The AJP Griff]

Gnasher said:

..........There does seem to be quite a bit of preload with these, the free length of the Eibach spring is 250mm & the distance between the flanges on the shocks is 210mm, so there's 40mm of compression . Is this right?

That doesnt sound too far out,in my experience.There was certainly some compression on mine,and 40mm doesnt sound unrealisticYou might want to consider fitting stiffer springs before you go ahead?Does anyone know what the tvr front springs are rated at,as theyre pretty soft i reckon?

[Gnasher]

Having spoken to Adrian Venn, I'm sticking with the red Eibach springs which were fitted with the sport kit.
He rates them as a good match for the Bilsteins. He also says about 40mm of compression sounds ok.

Thanks for your reply

SteveD