7 replies to this topic

[nicksuth]

After reading several of the threads on HiLo's / Adjustaride's I'm still confused about the damper length required (standard or shortened).
Some of the posts refer to "shortened" dampers being used with theses ride height adjusters an others quote "Standard" height.
Assuming the ride height adjustment is somewhere between the max and min height, at what point do you need "shortedned" dampers?
I understand that if you fit "standard" and then select a "low" ride heught the dampers will probably bottom out? If that's true does the opposite apply, i.e. if you fit "shortened" and then choose a "high" ride height will you ge wheel lift off when fully extended?

I now have my HiLo's and am about to purchase some new adjustable dampers and don't want to find I have the wrong length?

[Scruffs]

Hi,

Did you ever get an answer to your question? I am in a similar position - looking at buying some AGX's from minispares - they quote closed length but not open length - does anybody know this? I want to run the rear low and don't want it all falling out!

This is how I understand the bump/droop front and rear:

On the front the bump and droop stops act in parallel with the rubber cone. In other words it does not matter where your ride height is, full bump and full droop are the same...you trade bump travel for more droop travel as you go lower...There are modified damper mounts for the front that I assume are for certain types of damper with longer closed/open lengths...

At the rear the droop stop is the damper reaching its open length, if the damper is too long/ride height too low then the cone and trumpet fall out, hence the need for "lowered height" dampers..you will need to set your ride height first before you can make a choice what damper length you need here. The rear bump stop is in series with the rubber cone (I believe it's the moving part of the cone contacting the subframe)...so bump travel on the rear is roughly the same no matter what the ride height..

Does anybody own KYB AGX's? Are you happy with them?

Cheers!

Al

[nicksuth]

I recently ordered front and rear adjustable Spax shockers for all corners and was advised by Simon at Minispares that when contemplating any form of lowering, lowered units should be used.
I've not fitted them yet but will report back when completed. I'm fitting new Cones, Adjusta-Rides and Shockers all round.

[1340 gt]

I recently ordered front and rear adjustable Spax shockers for all corners and was advised by Simon at Minispares that when contemplating any form of lowering, lowered units should be used.
I've not fitted them yet but will report back when completed. I'm fitting new Cones, Adjusta-Rides and Shockers all round.

very true, if you lower it use the short ones, if new cones are fitted set it nice and high to start with, it will settle and end up riding significantly lower, i scrubbed my rear arches and fronts hit the bump stops. start high and lower gradually!!!

[wiltona79]

Hi,

 

I am in a similar position. I am looking drop the suspension only an inch or two but don't know what shocks will work best.

 

I'm worried that shortened shocks wont have a long enough open length for the ride height of the car but alternatively don't want standard shocks to bottom out.

 

Anyone know what the limits are at which standard/short shocks need to be used?

[Leonrjohnson]

I fitted these brackets to the front of my Mini and used standard lenghth Gaz adjustable shocks.

SHOCK ABSORBER TOP BRACKETS FOR LOWERED SUSPENSION C-AJJ3359 from MiniSpares.

 

 

For the rear, I set the car at the desired ride height with the HiLo's and then measured the up and down measurements with the car jacked up and the wheel removed so as to not let the HiLo drop out of the cone on full droop. The shock absorbers themselves are for the rear of my lowered 1977 Mini Clubman , and their dimensions need to be 14.5 inches fully extended  and 10.0 inches fully closed ( measured from centre of lower mount eye to the top of the lower  rubber fitted on the shock top shaft.)

I then got Gaz shocks to make a pair of adjustables to these dimensions. They work a treat.

Edited by Leonrjohnson, 16 November 2014 - 07:40 AM.

[majorj0nny]

when I did this I got lowered spax adjustables (the green ones from minispares) , though to be honest if they are set to anything other than the softest setting a couple of them squeak like pigs ! 

 

it dont seem to effect the ride feel - but is SO BLOODY ANNOYING ! hence - I just adjust them to the same sad setting all the time and never touch them - so I might get rid and find an alternative make. 

 

 

[Spider]

If the suspension has the same are original Travel - from Rebound (Extension) to Compression (on the Bump Stop) then the shocker lengths need to suit that.

 

Where in between that you decide to set the ride height (with your Hilos) has nothing to do with the shocker length.

 

In general (999 times out 1000) for a road car, stock lengths are the most suitable.