Shock absorber recommendations

[David2269]

Planning to replace the rear shock aborbers and springs. Rimmer Bros have a number of types listed. Are there any recommendations for type to be used (I am not planning on racing) or other suppliers or tips for installation. Many thanks

[Lingen]

Be careful when ordering those springs as some of them give far too high a ride height. Do you really need them? The ones Triumph supplied are very long lasting. I still have the originals all round on my Stag.
I know one supplier who has the right ones. Most shock absorbers are ok for normal use.
Mike.

[Philip Wardle]

Just to share my experience, years ago I bought a set of springs from Rimmers which were advertised as standard fitment for the Stag as the original ones on my then basket case were heavily corroded. Towards the end of the restoration last year, and with the chassis now at nominal weight, the ride height was clearly way too high and different at each corner. However, to be fair to Rimmers the situation may well be different with their current offering, I haven't looked.

I scrapped the Rimmer springs, and swapped-in a set from Chris Witor last Autumn, front springs PFLF160 and rear PFLR395, and I think ride height is about right - the ride is now very comfortable having also renewed everything else to do with suspension, and with the CDD driveshafts.


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[jbuckl]

+1 for Chris Witor.

other suppliers have sent wholly incorrect parts and don’t seem to be at all bothered to engage with getting supples corrected. Beware.

Someone was recently advocating that we let suppliers know what’s wrong with what’s been incorrectly supplied.

that ship sailed…. Seems they really don’t care.

cant say (on here) who that applies to…. Pm me if you want…. It’s at least 3 suppliers of incorrect springs though.

the rework labour involved is now far too large to be assisting with incorrect parts return and or non listening suppliers.

however it may mean that the useful sourcing / best sourcing advice here will be seen as super valuable.

aka ask here first, before buying…. Doing so will save you far more than Soc membership cost.

imho at least 3 suppliers owe me for parts and labour on incorrect spring / suspension parts .

members / owners / buyers be aware

[Matt Cook]

Chris Witor for springs and dampers, I have his springs and kyb dampers on mine.

[APS]

When I refurbished my rear suspension 18 months ago I first took advice from this forum. Decided to reuse my old springs because of the various ride height issues members had with new ones. I did get them powder coated which one member said may have weakened them !

I bought kyb shocks from here as they were much cheaper for the same from the usual stag suppliers

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335187477242?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=yi1ojZncSxy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=5By6EjxAToe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

And powerflex trailing arm poly bushes and spring insulators. Very happy with the results.

[Philip Wardle]

+1 for Chris Witor.

other suppliers have sent wholly incorrect parts and don’t seem to be at all bothered to engage with getting supples corrected. Beware.

Someone was recently advocating that we let suppliers know what’s wrong with what’s been incorrectly supplied.

that ship sailed…. Seems they really don’t care.

cant say (on here) who that applies to…. Pm me if you want…. It’s at least 3 suppliers of incorrect springs though.

the rework labour involved is now far too large to be assisting with incorrect parts return and or non listening suppliers.

however it may mean that the useful sourcing / best sourcing advice here will be seen as super valuable.

aka ask here first, before buying…. Doing so will save you far more than Soc membership cost.

imho at least 3 suppliers owe me for parts and labour on incorrect spring / suspension parts .

members / owners / buyers be aware

Looking at the total cost of my restoration project, which has taken 35 years, albeit with loing period of inaction, I reckon to have wasted 45% of what I have spent - 20% on poor quality parts unfit for use and 25% on body and paint services not delivered as advertised or consistent with reputation. The top three causes were (1) my own learning curve, despite my engineering qualifications and experience, given that I work in other sectors; (2) many purchasing decisions were made prior to the advent of the internet including SOC Forum when research was more difficult; (3) I was too eager to believe everything that suppliers told me. If I were to take on another project, with what I know now about where to obtains parts and services, I reckon I could reduce this wastage to below 20%.

[Luigi]

It seems a shame that we all do our best to keep these cars on the road, but are unable to purchase the correct parts for them, let’s face it they are expensive enough, I think these suppliers should be named and shamed, so that we can spend our hard earned money on the correct parts from good quality suppliers

just my 2pence worth

luigi

[mike@thenook]

Chris Witor for springs and dampers, I have his springs and kyb dampers on mine.

So do I but the 1" lowered springs - KYB shocks are excellent.

[MandM]

I use my old spring as they were the same height and had them powder coated in yellow no adverse effects, fitted std Monroe shocks

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