New rear shocks and springs - standard or otherwise?

[Mark Serj]

Gents,

As part of the rear end rebuild of my Stag, it would be daft to refit the old springs and shocks, especially as the standard items aren't too expensive. I was wondering if anyone had fitted new standard stuff from our suppliers recently and had any comments please?

Cheers

Mark

[Ian P]

Hi Mark
Speak to Nigel (The Badleys) he did his a couple of years ago and got the ride height etc right after dealing with a certain supplier
Ian

[Andy S]

I replaced with ‘Standard’ shocks and springs.

Don’t do it, because they are pattern parts. Spend the money on a decent upgrade.

Shocks were awful. The Springs give good ride height, but bottom out when more than 2 in car.

Andy S

[tractorjames]

If you dont mind lowering the ride a little i can recommend chris wittors lowered stiff springs. They make the car handle a dream. Just remeber you will need some shorter dampers to go with them.

[Matt Cook]

If you dont mind lowering the ride a little i can recommend chris wittors lowered stiff springs. They make the car handle a dream. Just remeber you will need some shorter dampers to go with them.

I'm contemplating a full suspension overhaul over the winter. Are these the ones you have on the back https://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=FRR475 ? I was thinking of using the thicker spring pads so it is not lowered by a whole inch.....What about the fronts, what do you think of progressive rates ones? https://www.chriswitor.com/proddetai...prod=205%2F400

Matt

[tractorjames]

I'm contemplating a full suspension overhaul over the winter. Are these the ones you have on the back https://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=FRR475 ? I was thinking of using the thicker spring pads so it is not lowered by a whole inch.....What about the fronts, what do you think of progressive rates ones? https://www.chriswitor.com/proddetai...prod=205%2F400

Matt

Yes those are the ones. To be fair they lowered my by an inch like it says. From what i gather thats the main problem with new springs, random ride height and you dont know what you are gonna get. Ive never heard a bad report about Chris’ springs, and he is helpful to speak to. Ive lett my front standard for now, as ive too many projects on to start tackling that just now.

[tractorjames]

The only problem i see with thicker spring pads is the mounting area would no longer surround the end of the spring, which i wouldnt personally be too keen on, unless you modified the mount on the chassis

[thebadleys]

Hi Mark, I had issues buying standard springs, both front and rear, below is a extract from a much longer post here about ride height etc. from 2015 so possibly other suppliers may have sorted it out !!!!

https://socforum.com/forum/forum/stag-owners-club/soc-forum/28184-spring-heights?27490-Spring-Heights=

Rears

"Rebuild used Superflex trailing arm bushes and +5mm spring insulators on the bottom seats, new brake cylinders, shoes, springs, clips and brake pipes, greased sliding joint on drive shafts (grease nipples already fitted) new rear standard shocks, refurb prop fitted, brakes bled etc.

Dropped onto the floor, Problem!, rear shocks not right, bouncing like a trampoline, I had primed them by pumping and stored vertically before fitting, email to to SOC, new set despatched and fitted (best service I've had from any supplier)

Short road test to settle suspension over a few speed humps and then check over, all OK, ride height at rear now 14 1/2" - 14 1/4", delighted, car looks and sits properly, rear camber now looks good (going to arrange 4 wheel geometry check)

So ride height correct all round, camber at the rear looking good (as well as the powder coated bits) car feels better and looks better."

"Finally got round to properly addressing ride height issue, started with the front. Having spoken to the suppliers of the new springs who were not really a lot of help other than offering to sell me new lowered springs, the fact that they had sold me springs that were to high (which they didn't appear surprised about, but saying no one else had complained) they said that the lowered would solve the problem, whoopee!!! but would not accept the others back or offer me a discount on the lowered replacements.

I contacted other suppliers with little benefit but was pleased when Stuart at SOC pointed me in the direction of Trevor at Faversham Classics, phone call to him and after a discussion of the problem he was not surprised, saying he has known of this problem for some time having bought springs that produced this issue. He recommended buying front springs from SOC, which I did and have now fitted them this weekend and the results are giving the standard ride height of 14 1/2" which is what I wanted.

So in terms of recommending suppliers and service providers, Faversham Classics A1, friendly, knowledgable and prepared to give his time even though I am almost 300 miles away, SOC for providing quality parts with a great service and knowledge."

Regards

Nigel

[Seaking]

image.jpg Take a look at these my original and new. Back to my original ones
Cheers Glenn

[Seaking]

image.jpegimage.jpeg

[JeffW]

Hi Mark

I fitted Monarch Stags progressive springs last spring. Perfect height and car feels much more stable and not as leaning around bends for lack of a better phrase. I also fitted KYB Gas-A-Just from Paddocks. They were £77 each, so not as expensive as the top of the line ones, but I didn't want to fit the cheapest. Very happy with both.

Jeff

https://monarchstags.com/collections/suspension/products/progressive-rate-springs-rear

http://www.jamespaddock.co.uk/rear-shock-absorber-kyb-gas-a-just-2

[tractorjames]

Beware you cant judge the ride height off the free length. My lowered springs are a good few (3 or 4 inches if not more) shorter than standards but only drop the car by one inch to make it sit at13.5” because they are stiffer

[Mark Serj]

uh oh lots to think about and digest when I get a mo, but seriously, thanks for all the responses so far chaps!

Regards

Mark

[redstag]

Fitted standard height progressive rate springs from Monarch on mine some time ago. Height is perfect and very happy with them.

Pete

[mike@thenook]

Hi Mark

I fitted Monarch Stags progressive springs last spring. Perfect height and car feels much more stable and not as leaning around bends for lack of a better phrase. I also fitted KYB Gas-A-Just from Paddocks. They were £77 each, so not as expensive as the top of the line ones, but I didn't want to fit the cheapest. Very happy with both.

Jeff

https://monarchstags.com/collections...e-springs-rear

http://www.jamespaddock.co.uk/rear-s...b-gas-a-just-2

You've the same set up as me then Jeff and Pete - it's the best ideal I think..

Cheers,