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Rear Shock absorbers /dampers

10 May 2009, 10:12pm
It occured to me that other day that I had fitted standard BMW rear shocks along with the shortened Apex springs.
I've noticed that a lot of the aftermarket suspension companies (Koni, Spax, AVO, Apex, etc etc) all sell adjustable 'shortened' shocks for use with lowered cars. Some even suggest standard shocks will be damaged if used with shorter springs.
Are the aftermarket shocks worh the money or is it all marketing hype?

I guess I should try jacking up the car, removing one of my rear springs and check what the travel is on the shock. I don't remember Marlin making any comment about using the donor shocks or not?

I know Patrick went the whole hog and fitted coilovers at the rear but what have other builders used?

thanks

Peter
11 May 2009, 7:23am
I think on the Sportster due to the high suspension turret the shock sit quite close to stock anyway so they should be OK. I've got Eibach springs on my BMW and the stock shocks start crashing a bit after about a year and a half. I switched to Koni yellows - the aftermarket setup makes for a smoother more comfortable car believe it or not!

Aftermarket shocks will give you the ability to adjust them. This is only really useful if you going to go on a track, or if you have trouble with it bottoming out - that way you can stiffen them up a bit quite easily.
11 May 2009, 7:39am
peterux wrote:
It occured to me that other day that I had fitted standard BMW rear shocks along with the shortened Apex springs.
I've noticed that a lot of the aftermarket suspension companies (Koni, Spax, AVO, Apex, etc etc) all sell adjustable 'shortened' shocks for use with lowered cars. Some even suggest standard shocks will be damaged if used with shorter springs.
Are the aftermarket shocks worh the money or is it all marketing hype?

I guess I should try jacking up the car, removing one of my rear springs and check what the travel is on the shock. I don't remember Marlin making any comment about using the donor shocks or not?

I know Patrick went the whole hog and fitted coilovers at the rear but what have other builders used?

thanks

Peter


I used Gaz shox to match the front. To early to say if they will be successful or not. Travel seems to be about right. When they are fully extended there is still some compression on the spring so it doesn't fall out LOL.

Ride on mine is I think a little soft - but I haven't played with the damper settings yet.

The Gaz shox seem well made and are not expensive. What's more the guys at Gaz seem to know what they are talking about (That always helps but doesn't seem guaranteed nowadays)

Robin