Suspension Advise

[ddffrost]

Hi all,

Had my van lowered over a year ago (2 splines at back and adjusters up front) but the ride is shocking due to not changing the shocks.

Been quoted £200 + Labor to change the front shocks and £180 + Labor to put an adjustable spring plate in the rear suspension does this sound reasonable?

Also will this warrent the cost ride wise?

Any other options to think about?

Cheers

Dave

 

[easy]

Change em yourself dood. That is about the right price for it to done at a garage as long as they are VERY good shocks (adjustable etc) 8)

 

[Joval]

Do you still have bump-stops on the rear?

Shorter shocks will help too - they're very easy to fit, save the labour costs.

 

[ddffrost]

I think it still has bump stops at the back but hte ride is bone crushing!

Its just getting round to getting it done I guess I thought £200 was a bit high as creative adjustable shocks are £150 for a set?

 

[faux]

To change the shocks on the front and rear is a 5 minute job, over a pit makes itr even easier.

To change the rear springplates may be a bit harder depending on seized bolts and having to remove the brake lines. I did mine in about 2 hours but had to get someone to help with bleeding the brakes. If you were closer I would offer to do it for you.

The ride will always be harsh just using adjusters on a ball joint set up, it may be worth investing the labour costs in a set of dropped spindles. Quality shocks will help but not as much as people say.

I have tried loads of set ups and in the end the king and link pin with dropped spindles worked for me.

You have to keep the stance as it is, your bus is amazing.

Jon

 

[ddffrost]

Cheers

Not sure I can afford dropped spindles how much do they go for?

Might be worth leaving it until I can afford them if its not goign to make much difference?

Its the banging that gets me really every bump sounds like its taken something off the van!

 

[pete nice]

It might be sitting on the bump stops if they are still fitted. This will mean yo have no suspension travel at all.

Nice!

 

[ddffrost]

I think that might be the case you know!

Might be worth paying for the spring plate at the back and doing the fronts myself!

 

[Araon]

Do it yourself fella, job satisfaction, you know its done right, get the axle stands out and the kettle on......

theres a few guys round your neck of the woods should beable to help put an SOS out for help with the offer of coffee and biscuits.....

Speak to Gadget hes doing short shocks should be able to sort you out with whatever info you need....

 

[Joval]

Whip the rear bump stops off first of all, I know on mine it felt dangerous down two splines and catching the stops,
they will affect the front too.

 

[cyberdyne systems]

You need to access where its bottoming out, if its down two splines at the back with no change to the shock or bump stop or spring plate then its likely to be a bad ride. Is it just the rear or the front too?

Gareth

 

[strongy]

2 splines down i recon your plates will be hitting the mount aswell.i notched mine(not to everyones taste) and fitted the front shocks to the rear, then just bought some new front shocks.

defenatly do your fronts yourself dave.its 4 nuts,it really is a doddle.backs arent as simple if you havent got the tools and stuff.but like a few say still an easy job

 

[Joval]

2 splines down i recon your plates will be hitting the mount aswell.i notched mine(not to everyones taste) and fitted the front shocks to the rear, then just bought some new front shocks.

defenatly do your fronts yourself dave.its 4 nuts,it really is a doddle.backs arent as simple if you havent got the tools and stuff.but like a few say still an easy job

Good point, mine are notched too.

 

[ddffrost]

I might get the spring plate done by someone who knows what their doing and do the fronts myself!

Depends what the mot throws up!

I think the fronts almost as bad as the rear as the orig factory shocks are still on n they bottom out

 

[ddffrost]

how much do dropped spindles cost?

 

[cyberdyne systems]

how much do dropped spindles cost?

Check out this thread for at least two versions: http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=11171&p=107448#p107448

 

[faux]

Cheers

Not sure I can afford dropped spindles how much do they go for?

Might be worth leaving it until I can afford them if its not goign to make much difference?

Its the banging that gets me really every bump sounds like its taken something off the van!

Balljoint dropped spindles are about £400 and "will" make a massive difference as they will give you 2.5" of additional travel at the front. But if you buy new shocks now then you may need different ones if you go for dropped spindles at a later date.

If the bumpstops haven't been removed from the front then they will definitely be hitting, which feels like you are hitting the tarmac.

At the rear, if you have a 2 spline drop your rear spring plates will probably not have any downward travel, these need to be notched the lower you go. So they probably bang with every bump and dip.

Creative adjustable spring plates will solve this as they are stepped to give a 2+" drop without changing the normal position.

These are easy jobs and will help you get a step closer to doing more work yourself.

Go on, have a go! :lol:

 

[ddffrost]

Dont think i can afford the spindles! I'd love a smoother ride though really ruins the experience for me but love the look of the low van so much!

I'd have a go myself if i had someone with me who knew what they were doing but not confident enough to attempt things myself just yet and my 8 week old boy and job demand most of my time these days

 

[strongy]

i can always give you a hand dave.we could take it my workshop, its heated and well lit,so could be any time to suit

 

[ddffrost]

cheers dude if i get the parts sorted and of course some mcdonalds n make the tea lol

what do i need parts wise?

Adjustable Shocks x2

Spring Plate?

Wheres good to buy from?