8 replies to this topic

[Tamworthbay]

Just got back from MITP. I noticed all the adjustable suspension kits I saw (admittedly mostly the cheap copies) had steel extension tubes. I am sure they used to come with aluminium ones. Is this a cost saving thing or is there a reason they have changed? Or is it just my rubbish memory? (I know mine are aluminium)

[Leics1275]

Reckon it's simply cost Clive

 

I'd much rather have ally struts,chances are they are going to have a premium on them though

 

Dave

[rikSTAR]

As well as the steel being cheaper manufacturing wise wouldn't it be stronger than ally ones anyway? Surely if you hit a hard bump or pot hole it could crack or squash the aluminium? Not that you'd want to hit hard bumps anyway.

[Tamworthbay]

I am sure it is just down to cost. It just seemed strange that they have all changed, it may be that it has been like this for a while and having noticed one I have suddenly noticed them all. I have not heard of any problems with them being made out of alloy. They are in compression so the strength is no issue I wouldn't have thought and I have seen them made out of ally for twenty years or more. Just thought it was worth asking, maybe Simon at minispares or one of the other suppliers could shed more light on it.........

[rikSTAR]

Yeah maybe, I haven't really looked at many other cars with the hilos on them but I think mine may be steel

[Tamworthbay]

Mine are definately aluminium. 6082t6 to be precise, I made them at work

[rikSTAR]

Hahaha very nice

[Tamworthbay]

I had some ally ones with the adjusta rides I bought (second hand) but I wasn't happy with the fit so machined up some new ones with better tolerance or to put it another way, they aren't like a wizards sleeve anymore!

[DILLIGAF]

The original Ripspeed ones where steel.......