The place to "speak geek"
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duggiesmith
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by duggiesmith » Sat May 02, 2015 3:33 pm
During my drive home the other day, I felt the ride was particularly harsh (even for Edinburgh's streets), so I jacked it up today for a wee look and found this on the front offside.
My guess is the the damper needs replaced, but has anyone got any other advice (bearing in mind I'm a complete numpty when it comes to repairs, so it will probably be going to MMC for the work)?
Is it advisable to replace both front dampers at the same time, or even all 4 (the others look OK, although there is some surface corrosion).
Duggie
There are 3 types of people in the world. Those that can add up and those that can't.
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tut
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by tut » Sat May 02, 2015 3:42 pm
Fancy letting it get into that state...........
tut
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woody
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by woody » Sat May 02, 2015 4:26 pm
Both fronts at the same time minimum, but guessing they're original all 4 would be better. Bilstein do an overhaul service but they look particularly poor cosmetically at least so new could be the better option.
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campbell
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by campbell » Sat May 02, 2015 4:33 pm
Even I can swap out dampers. 2 bolts, 1 top 1 bottom. Note how the "top hat"'washers are arranged.
Report back when finished pls
Swap in pairs as minimum.
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Dark
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by Dark » Sat May 02, 2015 8:28 pm
They look terrible!
I had all 4 replaced by MMC last year, they looked nothing like that but the ride was horrible.
It was about £200 / corner incl fitting & vat & alignment.
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Scottish Scrutineer
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by Scottish Scrutineer » Sun May 03, 2015 6:33 am
Does anyone have contact details for the Bilstein refurbishment service? I probably should get my spare set refurbished and fitted.
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Renny
Renny Thomson
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Elise S2 (2002)
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campbell
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by campbell » Sun May 03, 2015 9:24 am
Dom will
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pete
- Vexatious Litigant
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by pete » Sun May 03, 2015 9:33 am
Even I can swap out dampers too. I borrowed an impact wrench to do it, as those corroded nuts can be a bit of a bugger.
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duggiesmith
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by duggiesmith » Sun May 03, 2015 1:09 pm
Cheers for the replies.
OK, I get the impression that it's a pretty "shocking" state of affairs down there.
I reckon, if it was just a question of replacing a damper (or two), I could give it a go, but I've got a feeling there might be more work required so it's off to MMC for some TLC.
Duggie
There are 3 types of people in the world. Those that can add up and those that can't.
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Dominic
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by Dominic » Mon May 04, 2015 7:15 pm
Scottish Scrutineer wrote:Does anyone have contact details for the Bilstein refurbishment service? I probably should get my spare set refurbished and fitted.
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Renny
Yes I do... In the office, so will post tomorrow. Alternatively, do a search on the forum for Dave at Bilstein.
Cheers
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Dominic
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by Dominic » Mon May 04, 2015 7:20 pm
In fact....
David Masters
Workshop Manager
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein GmbH
Unit 3 Swannington Road | Broughton Astley | Leicestershire | LE9 6TU | England
Phone:+44 1455 283407 | Fax:+44 1455 283301 |
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Dark
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by Dark » Tue May 05, 2015 8:48 pm
These are from my 2006 Elise, similar age to Duggie's, 22k miles, obviously not used in Scottish winters!
If anyone wants to make me a low offer and take them away to get refurbished I'm open to suggestions!
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thesurfbus
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by thesurfbus » Wed May 06, 2015 11:08 am
Maybe a daft question, but what purpose are the tophat washers, apart from to space the shock eye to the bracket?
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steve_weegie
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by steve_weegie » Wed May 06, 2015 1:21 pm
thesurfbus wrote:Maybe a daft question, but what purpose are the tophat washers, apart from to space the shock eye to the bracket?
They're used to set the front castor angle
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Shug
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by Shug » Wed May 06, 2015 1:37 pm
steve_weegie wrote:thesurfbus wrote:Maybe a daft question, but what purpose are the tophat washers, apart from to space the shock eye to the bracket?
They're used to set the front castor angle
No, the castor washers on the bottom wishbone do that.
The tophat washers are the ones that locate the dampers - I think the shape is to support the rubber bush and not allow twisting or sideways movement of the damper in its mounts.
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