Gaz Nickel Adjustment - settings suggestions

[Jon Brown]

I know of few of you chaps run these, as I now had mine refurbed by gaz I have no idea how many clicks On the adjustment I was running.

I measured the height before I sent them off so I’m happy with the springs at approximately 21.5cm, although this no looks a little lower on the front than I remember

I set them to 18 clicks each thinking that’s roughly what they were but I’ve been bouncing all the way down the road. Tried a some more clicks and seems undrivable.

Any suggestions?

[Jon Brown]

SILICONEKID 357HP said:

You waisted your money .

That was helpful thanks

[Jon Brown]

Great thanks, just needed some where to start from

[Jon Brown]

This is still an on-going saga, I spoke with GAZ earlier this week as before I had them refurbed they were nice and soft and quite comfortable on bumpy roads but stiff enough for a track day and some spirited b road driving.

Now drives the worst its even been and I cant work it out. Bit of background, I have done the following recently:

- New ball joints
- New outriggers
- New top rear wishbones
- New lower drivers wishbones
- New bushes for above wishbones
- Full Camber and wheel alignment (by specialist)
- Refurb of GAZ Nickel shocks

Despite the above its terrible and now have a car that is undrivable. The drivers rear specifically seems to bounce like never before and it almost seems like it has the wrong spring on the drivers rear as no matter how I change the clicks they just don't seem right.

Will be out there on Thursday with a digital vernier to measure the spring thickness I think!

Anyone have any suggestions or some spare shocks lying around they want to sell me?

[Jon Brown]

Belle427 said:

Was the above work listed carried out before or after the refurbishment?

It was at the same time, I sent the shocks off whilst the car was in pieces

[Jon Brown]

Thanks chaps, as always some excellent help!!:

Belle427 - They have 20 clicks both front and back and like you I don't like the adjustment either.

Phazed - I will give that a bash after I have checked a few other bits but I did check with Gaz to make sure I have them the right way round although they could have told me incorrectly and the shocks are in the right places. I feel like I need to triple check this now, can someone confirm which one is which?

Although the revalving is a possible its also possible that they put one of the springs on the wrong way round. Gaz told me the thickness of the springs are slightly different so I will check tomorrow with a vernier gauge.

ChimpOnGas - As it happens I was on the phone to Ben Lang yesterday afternoon asking about the options he does as I read such positive reviews previously. This is certainly an option that I am considering and sell the rebuilt Gaz items on to some who is more track focused.

My brother has a 986 Boxster S and over the last few years we have also done plenty of trips round the EVO triangle and I have driven his car plenty of times. I'd agree with your comments as he couldn't get away from me although my ride certainly isn't Bentley like but it was okay before. This is certainly pushing me down the Bilsten route.

I'd love the car to be a better tourer and I would probably go back to using it most days as that's what I really want, I have considered Porsche's on and off but they are quite dull in comparison, with no theatre or real sense of occasion.

900T-R - You are right, I did check the rear suspension to make sure it was altogether correct and also had the tracking set. Gaz suggested it could be a faulty adjuster as it does seem unnecessarily tight to turn as I have to take the wheel off rather then stick my arm below and round with the wheel on.

If anyone in the South East has the Ben Lang Bilstens and would take me for a drive that would be really helpful

thanks again guys, I'll let you know how I get on.

[Jon Brown]

Belle427 said:

Looking back over the years at previous posts there seems to be a 50/50 split in people’s opinions on the gaz setup.
I too would like to drive a bilstein enabled car as I feel it might change how I feel about the ride quality and not make me want to buy a Porsche!

Your clearly having the same thoughts as me, I was never convinced about the Gaz shocks when I got them, although they were secondhand to me. I don't understand the logic of having a metal bush, the Nickels I have aren't even rose jointed.

[Jon Brown]

Well I had another look at the car today, didn’t get far as I’d like but having wind down the troublesome side it kept going and going round.

So looks like the adjuster isn’t actually working properly which would explain a lot. So hopefully I can get that fixed for free and I think I will still move over to the billies anyway

[Jon Brown]

Classic Chim said:

Thankyou kindly sir.
The tyres make a bigger difference than any shock absorber Imho

thanks guys, there is certainly some consistency in the responses here. I think there is no other choice apart from to upgrade to Ben's shocks once my adjuster has been fixed. I already have Rainsports and they are very good, so no issues there.

Once this is done I will only have another 7 things to fix, slowly getting there!