Suspension kits

RUDDY · Postby **RUDDY** » 19 Jan 2010 10:59

Been pricing these up lately, Rimmers do Spax and Gaz and S&S do KYB.

On price alone KYB kit from SS seems the best value and includes all the mounting bushes, gaiters etc but doesn't state if they are on car adjustable.

Have used GAZ in the past on other cars and found them good, anyone recommend KYB or others for that matter ?

cheers, Paul

Wayne S · Postby **Wayne S** » 19 Jan 2010 11:40

I reccomend KYB's, the uprated ones were brilliant and lasted a long time. Just wish I could use them on the V8 but they dont do them for Rover SD1 strut tubes so had to make do with Spax.

Red 4.0 Litre V8 DHC Grinnall (with huuuuuge arches...!)

stricky · Postby **stricky** » 19 Jan 2010 12:17

I have KYB's/200lb lowered springs/polybush's in the DHC, seem very good, got them from S&S. From a user perspective they are non-adjustable I believe though, however they (the gas-adjust type) self adjust apparently [:)] The ride is firm enough for road use.

Got AVO adjustables on the V8, but can't comment on them yet as it's not on the road [:(]

'81 TR7 DHC
'79 TR7 V8 FHC

Photo's Here - http://s480.photobucket.com/albums/rr170/stricky1967/

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 19 Jan 2010 16:34

Definitely no more AVO's for me as the rears they supply are to long, so the car will bottom out on the shocks, [url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/2007/07/rear-damper-problems.html"]NOT GOOD[/url]
For a more or less standard TR7 I prefer Koni's.
Only downside is that you have to take them of the car to adjust them.
But they last very long ...

<center>

1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, currently being restored)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My Weblog[/url]</center>

busheytrader · Postby **busheytrader** » 19 Jan 2010 16:58

I only have experience of Spax.

The fronts lasted about 40,000 miles over 20 years before one of them started to leak. I reckon that was down to a failed gaiter letting in corrosive wet gunge where it shouldn't. Adj fronts weren't available originally but I was more than happy to replace like for like when I had to. Adjustable items are available now.

The rear adjustables (only available in that form) are still going strong and remain on setting no.2 out of 12. Anything higher and my fillings drop out.

I've heard good things about KYB from those who've fitted them to other cars.

Adam

TR7 V8 DHC Jaguar Solent Blue. 9.35cr Range Rover V8, Holley 390cfm, JWR Dual Port, 214 Cam, Lumention, Tubular Manifolds, S/S Single Pipe Exh, 3.08 Rear, 200lb Spax & PolyBushes all round, Anti- Dive, Strut-Top Roller Bearings, Capri Vented Discs & Calipers, Braided Hoses, 4 Speed Rear Cylinders, Uprated Master Cylinder & Servo, AT 5 Spokes and Cruise Lights, S/S Heater Pipes, Replacement Fuel Tank. No Door Stickers. Mine since July 1986, V8 from 1991

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 19 Jan 2010 18:39

I put KYB gas in the front and they seem good enough. Not adjustable but the gas design prevents the oil from foaming. I have Koni's on the back (original to purchase of the car). I'll be removing them this winter and will see what their like.

I did have Koni adjustables on the Javelin but I question the expense of adjustables these days.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

prlee · Postby **prlee** » 19 Jan 2010 18:44

Oh dear, I have some AVO's for the rear cos they worked ok with the spit and seemed have a good reputation, spax have some negative comments.

I did run them for 2000miles before taking the TR off the road for bodywork. Had to return the AVO for repair as they squeaked. I have the uprated springs to fit so will have to check the length now.

Pete
81 DHC (Under body resto)
79 Spitfire (Current Main drive)

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 19 Jan 2010 21:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by prlee

... spax have some negative comments ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The ones they provided me for my TR7 a long time ago indeed were rubbish. Lasted just 20.000 km

Also when I bought the Bordeaux DHC a few years ago, it had Spax fitted and they again were dreadfull (non existent at the front almost rock solid at the rear, despite being at their softest setting).
Was great fun to drive though, sideways forever [:D]

<center>

1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, currently being restored)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My Weblog[/url]</center>

PeterTR7V8 · Postby **PeterTR7V8** » 20 Jan 2010 00:26

Car & Car Conversions magazine did a series of articles on TR7 suspension tuning in their July, August & September 1978 issues. They went thru various spring/shock/tyre combos & analysed the results. I only have August at this point but have found the other 2 on ebay & they are on their way.

They recommend increasing tyre pressure in the fronts tyres to 28psi, harder subframe & inner track control arm bushes, Koni shocks set to minimum & "50%" stiffer front springs. I wonder what the standard spring rate is?

When I have all the magazine I'll scan them & pass them onto JClay for worldwide distribution. Cars & Car Conversions is a terrific old mag by the way.

But baby, I thought I was doing my best.

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 20 Jan 2010 16:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PeterTR7V8

... I wonder what the standard spring rate is? ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Front between 88 lbs/in en 94 lbs/in depending on market.
Rear 165 lbs/in.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PeterTR7V8

... When I have all the magazine I'll scan them & pass them onto JClay for worldwide distribution. Cars & Car Conversions is a terrific old mag by the way ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That'd be great, thx [;)]

CCC indeed used to be a great magazine.
Still not clear why it was killed off a few years a go [:(]

<center>

1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, currently being restored)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My Weblog[/url]</center>

willywonka · Postby **willywonka** » 21 Jan 2010 07:11

Does anyone have any part numbers for the various shocks e.g. Koni, SPAX, Kayaba (KYB), Bilstien etc, for both the front and rear?

All the Gear, no idea

Vegas_M · Postby **Vegas_M** » 21 Jan 2010 12:38

I've seen a number of aftermarket narrow diameter, higher rating, adjustable coil conversions for our front struts, but haven't seen what they came from. Anyone know what can be adapted to fit? Odd, didn't you do a conversion?

I have access to lots of aftermarket Japanese stuff, but without taking off the front struts to play with, don't know what might fit.

Martin

Beans · Postby **Beans** » 21 Jan 2010 19:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Vegas_M

... Anyone know what can be adapted to fit ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/2007/12/t-krengs-front-suspension-upgrade-old.html"]You can also adapt the original struts[/url]

You'll have to stiffen up the springs a bit to prevent them from binding.

Or put something exotic/custom built under the car ...

<center>

1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, currently being restored)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)
[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]My Weblog[/url]</center>

PeterTR7V8 · Postby **PeterTR7V8** » 23 Jan 2010 08:31

The main benefit I've found of having adjustable height shocks is that when you crash & bend the chassis then get it repaired only to find that the car doesn't quite sit level you can crank up one corner & fix that problem.

But baby, I thought I was doing my best.

Anonymous

Suspension kits

Suspension kits

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