AVO/Springs question

[Brendon NZ]

Hi guys and Happy New Year from New Zealand.
We are in the middle of a body off to replace the usual rotten outriggers on my S3 and I have a AVO/spring question. (body off pic's will come soon..!)
Maybe Phillpot-Mike can answer this as I see he has AVO shocks from David Gerald as well.

We have just removed the shock sets for body painting and find that the bushes are all badly distorted and worn....problem is, they are brand new, fitted by the former keeper and have travelled less than 200 miles.!
They have come from David Gerald , who I see in other threads fit their own springs.
The AVO's were correct with 718's on the front and 719's on the back.....but, the front set have the larger diameter springs and we think maybe that these should have been fitted to the rear shocks?!!
My concern is, if we just replace the bushes, they will wear again in no time.

Phillpot-Mike you have the same set up, do you have the larger diameter on the front or rear..?
The picture below shows the removed rear ones with silver top caps on the left and the small diameter black top cap ones which came off the front on the right.
Thanks.

[Brendon NZ]

Thanks Mike, Chris and Norman.
I have emailed Neil at AVO over the weekend to see what he says.
Mike has confirmed that my springs are on the correct front and rear shocks.....so its all down to the bushes.
I agree with all your comments, AVO appear to be the only (?) current supplier using this style of bush, while everyone else is on the rigid spherical type that take up most of the bracket...therefore reducing movement /play wear etc.
I will take mine into a specialst shock shop over the next couple of days and report back with what replacements or options they have.
I suspect that other owners will find the same result if they check their bushes as well.
Brendon

[Brendon NZ]

I also received an email from Nigel....they really DO HAVE good customer service.

Same solution, I am also upgrading to Spherical bearings.
Mine will take a bit longer to reach me, so let me know how the fitting went.

I suspect this is the solution that we all should be looking at.

[Brendon NZ]

Sure Mike....I need all the help I can....we are now up to the fun part of the rebuild...putting all the bits back on.(at least its nice and warm over here).

[Brendon NZ]

Thanks Mike.
My new bushes have still not arrived, will do a PH post when they have and are fitted.

Agree....all AVO uses should be upgrading.

Brendon

[Brendon NZ]

New bearings now fitted, not that hard to do.
Strange how they still pivot on the bearing, hope that does not turn into a knock over time.
I am still yet to test drive and get some mileage into them.