Shock absorbers - Fit 2nd hand or new?

Post by **Cruz** » 30 Jan 2006, 17:50

The shocks on the van are original and look a bit worse for wear especially a rear one that has rotted through

Picture

I aquired some free shocks who's owner said they had done 12000 miles ( I have painted the rears)

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Now what so people recommend I do?

Do I fit these shocks and save myself the £100 instead of buying new ones, or do I buy new ones and then forget about them for years and years?

whatever I do I will have to get them fitted by a garage as I tried to undo the bolts and could not. being on my back under the van is not the best position for untightening rusty bolts.

Post by **toomanytoys** » 31 Jan 2006, 11:41

Dunno where you buying yours from... but GSF etc have rears for under 20 quid each.. last time I looked....

Post by **Cruz** » 31 Jan 2006, 12:27

GSF was the place I was thinking of for shocks. £100 was a rough guestimate for 4

Post by **R0B** » 31 Jan 2006, 13:28

if you can afford it.go with new ones.at least that way you will have peace of mind knowing they are new and will last...

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 31 Jan 2006, 13:57

H'mmmm, a toughie - a component that has a massive effect on the stability and handling of your van and needs replacing at what is beyond the end of the design life of the vehicle..... bodge, or fit new...

Post by **NOT ANOTHER LEAK** » 31 Jan 2006, 14:17

come on thomas get to the point

Post by **Cruz** » 31 Jan 2006, 14:25

Diamond Hell wrote:H'mmmm, a toughie - a component that has a massive effect on the stability and handling of your van and needs replacing at what is beyond the end of the design life of the vehicle..... bodge, or fit new...

Your pedantism is noted.

That was my feeling too. Fitting 2nd hand is ok in other situations but not when it comes to safety

Post by **stuckin88** » 31 Jan 2006, 18:30

Rear shocks are easy to fit-you dont even have to remove the wheels--the bolts are same size as wheel nut 19mm so you can undo them with a 2 foot long breaker bar---you will need one anyway for your wheel nuts--2 foot breaker bar & 19mm impact socket approx £22 from Halfords---

Post by **Cruz** » 31 Jan 2006, 18:34

Tried that and failed

Post by **Diamond Hell** » 31 Jan 2006, 23:59

PlusGas the captive nuts many times over the period of a week and then get a fat bloke on the breaker bar.

Post by **HarryMann** » 01 Feb 2006, 01:08

Fitting 2nd hand is ok in other situations but not when it comes to safety

.. and not to say tyre wear and general handling, enjoyment and confidence.Quite a few Syncros are running £300~£400 sets of shockers, so wouldn't begrudge GSF price too much, if you've got the readies.

Think they're done up to about 80-100 lb-ft.

As the man said, wire brush threads all round, plus-gas a few times for a day or two (where the anchor nut is at the back), flank-drive socket and that power-bar. Keep it straight and if you get yourself anchored down well, I hate to think what torque your could get on those bolts.