16 replies to this topic

[cradley-heathen]

i have got a pair of lowered gaz adjustable dampers on the front of the metro,

at the current ride height the damper is between the mid point of its travel and fully closed (3/4 closed if you like)

however, im looking to lower the car further now by around another 1" to 1 1/4" this will then put the damper too close to the "closed" end of its travel, meaning it could bottom out, which is obviously bad.

i have investigated altering either the bottom mount or the top mount to open the damper out at the proposed ride height. the bottom mount is a total no go, the top is possible, but it will mean chopping about my shell, which i really dont want to do if i can avoid it.

so.......

has anyone ever shortened their dampers? im thinking if i was to cut the top mount off, remove a matching length of material (equal to how much i lower it 1"- 1 1/4") and weld the top mount back onto the shaft again, i will be sorted.

the only thing im not sure of is the material the dampers shaft will me made of, am i right in thinking its just highly polished chromed steel?

i have no problem with the cutting and welding as, well i have done quite a bit of it, i just need to know what material it is?

Edited by cradley-heathen, 18 April 2013 - 10:23 PM.

[Sam Walters]

The issue is the fluid or gas inside them. mechanically they are quite simple but getting the gas or fluid back into them is a mare without the right kit.

Simply put id move the top shock mounts or get shorter dampers if you can.

[cradley-heathen]

The issue is the fluid or gas inside them. mechanically they are quite simple but getting the gas or fluid back into them is a mare without the right kit.

Simply put id move the top shock mounts or get shorter dampers if you can.

i didnt think about that side of it.

your probably right, i spend all day welding cars up and making things out of steel. i should just man up and make some new top mounts, rather than trying to be too clever and knackering my new dampers

[CLM]

http://www.minimania...-DUTY-PAIR-MINI

Something like those should help.

Chris

[Shifty]

Edit, being stupid!!

[Spitz]

Those are probably different than Metro ones.....why not get the shorter shocks. If your present shocks ( dampers ) are new, maybe you could sell them for a good price

[Spud_133]

You could take some to someone to do professionally. We're getting mine done for my hot rod. Don't know where they are going as a friend is sorting them out

[Rob Gavin]

I'd speak to someone like GAZ and have them made to suit your requirements.

[Dan]

Moved.

[bmcecosse]

Make new top mounts using the existing fixings - but with the damper connection higher up. Don't ruin the dampers...........

[Bungle]

theres someone of the VW forum that makes/buys in shocks to order

need a number ?

[tiger99]

You certainly can not safely shorten the existing dampers. In fact they will not be any shorter if you cut the rod down, the only effect will be that the internal damper piston will be further above the bottom of the cylinder when the dust cover bottoms out on the damper body, and all you actualy achieve is reducing the rebound travel.

To actually make the damper shorter, in the bump position, you have to shorten both the body and the rod. But then you will have insufficient suspension travel, and the shell or subframe will be stressed severely, either in bump or rebound, or both, because the damper will be bottoming at one extreme, or both.

The only proper fix, if you must ruin a Mini's handling by lowering it excessively, is to keep the dampers the correct length and raise their upper mounts, easily accomplished at the front where the brackets bolt on, but welding is needed at the rear.

Edited by tiger99, 19 April 2013 - 11:40 AM.

[Tamworthbay]

You certainly can not safely shorten the existing dampers. In fact they will not be any shorter if you cut the rod down, the only effect will be that the internal damper piston will be further above the bottom of the cylinder when the dust cover bottoms out on the damper body, and all you actualy achieve is reducing the rebound travel.

To actually make the damper shorter, in the bump position, you have to shorten both the body and the rod. But then you will have insufficient suspension travel, and the shell or subframe will be stressed severely, either in bump or rebound, or both, because the damper will be bottoming at one extreme, or both.

The only proper fix, if you must ruin a Mini's handling by lowering it excessively, is to keep the dampers the correct length and raise their upper mounts, easily accomplished at the front where the brackets bolt on, but welding is needed at the rear.

He isn't ruining a mini, its a metro, read the OP

[cradley-heathen]

as i said earlier, you guys are right i have decided against chopping the dampers up.

however, those brackets arnt any good to me sadly as the front dampers on a metro have the pin on the top (like a rear dampers has on a mini)

i have spoken to gaz, and short of making some bespoke ones im stuck with these, they are lowered height dampers, but they just wont go low enough sadly.

as Tamworthbay said, its a metro not a mini.

later this week i will get chance to make some new top mounts, as long as no more work comes in that is!

[Tamworthbay]

as i said earlier, you guys are right i have decided against chopping the dampers up.

however, those brackets arnt any good to me sadly as the front dampers on a metro have the pin on the top (like a rear dampers has on a mini)

i have spoken to gaz, and short of making some bespoke ones im stuck with these, they are lowered height dampers, but they just wont go low enough sadly.

as Tamworthbay said, its a metro not a mini.

later this week i will get chance to make some new top mounts, as long as no more work comes in that is!

Have a chat with Andy at Protech. He is the most helpful guy I have ever come across for suspension stuff. He may be able to suggest something, ask nicely and he will probably make you something up for a standard price. If you do speak to him, tell him I sent you