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Shock absorbers - Fit 2nd hand or new?

Posted: 30 Jan 2006, 17:50
by Cruz
The shocks on the van are original and look a bit worse for wear especially a rear one that has rotted through

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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.

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 11:41
by toomanytoys
Dunno where you buying yours from... but GSF etc have rears for under 20 quid each.. last time I looked....

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 12:27
by Cruz
GSF was the place I was thinking of for shocks. £100 was a rough guestimate for 4

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 13:28
by R0B
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...

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 13:57
by Diamond Hell
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... :?:

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 14:17
by NOT ANOTHER LEAK
come on thomas get to the point :)

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 14:25
by Cruz
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. :wink:

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

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 18:30
by stuckin88
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---

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 18:34
by Cruz
Tried that and failed :(

Posted: 31 Jan 2006, 23:59
by Diamond Hell
PlusGas the captive nuts many times over the period of a week and then get a fat bloke on the breaker bar.

Posted: 01 Feb 2006, 01:08
by HarryMann
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. :twisted: