Replacing dampers / swapping springs on S2

jj · Post by jj » Mon May 14, 2007 11:54 am

Just called MMC about getting new rear dampers. Apparently the springs are seperate from the dampers, so I could get two new rear dampers and switch the springs.

Is this a) possible b) false economy (the springs are 72k old also)

Just get the whole unit pre-assembled? The dampers are £89.

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Mon May 14, 2007 1:50 pm

JJ, BertieDuff, recently changed his fronts and was advised to change the spring and damper, but he just got the dampers and used a local garage to chage the springs, as the springs are 'awkward' to do without the proper tools.

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... php?t=7010

jj · Post by jj » Mon May 14, 2007 2:00 pm

MacK wrote:JJ, BertieDuff, recently changed his fronts and was advised to change the spring and damper, but he just got the dampers and used a local garage to chage the springs, as the springs are 'awkward' to do without the proper tools.

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... php?t=7010

Asked Murrays parts guy (who asked the technician) and they said the springs will be fine and just the damper change would do....

Worth noting that eliseparts want £239 for a pair vs £178 at MMC.

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:44 pm

The £89 is ex VAT!

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:58 pm

RDH wrote:The £89 is ex VAT!

Spot the accountant!

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:15 pm

Depending on how long you see yourself keeping the car JJ, I'd change the lot.

Not worth skimping on

jj · Post by jj » Mon May 14, 2007 4:53 pm

I had a look yesterday and the fronts are not leaking / no oil so dont see the point in changing them just now. Rears are goosed and leaking oil onto the wheel though.

The VAT was never mentioned so I`ll see what they say on Wednesday

Not going down the sticky tyre route just now so no point upgrading to anything other than std items.

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:04 pm

Dominic wrote:
RDH wrote:The £89 is ex VAT!
Spot the accountant!

The accountant who's getting his rear dampers done at Dans this weekend!

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:30 pm

jayj, you'll also need spring compressors to get the old ones off and swap - none on here IIRC

As others have said, not worth scrimping on - you can get a full set on the c*ck for circa £250 - surely a better deal?

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:31 pm

Or, get a set of 2nd hand Nitrons (possibly easier said than done?) then you can sell them on for virtually what you paid for them...

jj · Post by jj » Mon May 14, 2007 9:48 pm

200 notes now, then 200 notes in a couple of months when the fronts wear out for brand new kit is my preffered option. Murrays are doing the swapping when I pick up the new dampers as the old ones are now off the car.

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:21 am

Watched the guy in the local garage say a prayer as he swapped the springs- well worth the £15 I reckon, unless you have the correct compressor handy....

/scaredy cat faction/

s333fee · Post by **s333fee** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:08 pm

getting my s1 suspension upgraded to s2 at autotech paisley, they do pretty much anything and you can supply the bits, will even allow you to get them delivered direct from elise parts, etc. do a few elises, work is good so they could fit them if you want. Point is no need to travel far from Kilmacolm

jj · Post by jj » Thu May 17, 2007 10:14 pm

s333fee wrote:getting my s1 suspension upgraded to s2 at autotech paisley, they do pretty much anything and you can supply the bits, will even allow you to get them delivered direct from elise parts, etc. do a few elises, work is good so they could fit them if you want. Point is no need to travel far from Kilmacolm

Its only two bolts a corner and they are already off (the car is in bits in my folks` garage at the moment)

Collins in Johnstone doing the spring change along with the tyres.

s333fee · Post by **s333fee** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:48 pm

be careful at collins,
Pricing is reasonable but work is a bit shoddy,i have stopped using them unless i really have to.

They scratched my SL alloy all found the outside of the rim either gettingthe tyre off or new one on, and my ML alloy must have been laid flat on its face as well as tool marks on the edge, and didnt balance them correctly had to get redone, ML was puncture patch all they did was put patch in and replace tyre insame place, took it to my usual guy afterwards and he had to redo them both. since neither alloy had even been of fthe car until then is easy to see who caused the damage.

RTS in Paisley are no better, the guy ther wont balance tyres unless you specifically ask. He told me you dont have to !!!!!

S333FEE Support team