shock absorbers
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alan cooper
Re: shock absorbers
I had spax dampers on a 2000hf and can confirm that they gave excellent damping and overall control with a firm but comfortable ride the car could really be thrown about with some confidence. the easy adjustment at the rear was very useful to get the balance front/rear just right, they would probably feel a bit too sporting for some people though......
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william
Re: shock absorbers
My experience with adjusting the Konís is that you can never set them equal. Even if you rotate the same amount the damping won't be the same. I used to put one of the ends in a vise and pull them up with a scale 'unster' and rotate till they were about the same. Tough work and at the time you have them back on the car you have forgotten if you made it better or worse! I look forward to my Spaxes. Even if the damping quality is the same as the Konis. The ease of adjustment makes it an improvement.
I agree with Paul that the ride quality of the Berlinas is extraordinairy. As period tests compair it with the Peugeot 404 which was the best of its time.
My 2C was the best car I have ever sold. It rode on The Carbons...
I agree with Paul that the ride quality of the Berlinas is extraordinairy. As period tests compair it with the Peugeot 404 which was the best of its time.
My 2C was the best car I have ever sold. It rode on The Carbons...
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Christopher Adams
Re: shock absorbers
Paul,
I have read a bit about freqency sensitive dampers, how have you beaten the major manufacturers to it?
It sounds like a great theory, especially for someone who experiences the the badly broken up roads of Sydney on a daily basis with very unyeilding 18" wheels, low profile tyres, and very firm suspenion.
Did Bilstein ever do dampers for fulvias? Their adjustment set-up seems to be well regarded and the dampers are very well made.
Chris
I have read a bit about freqency sensitive dampers, how have you beaten the major manufacturers to it?
It sounds like a great theory, especially for someone who experiences the the badly broken up roads of Sydney on a daily basis with very unyeilding 18" wheels, low profile tyres, and very firm suspenion.
Did Bilstein ever do dampers for fulvias? Their adjustment set-up seems to be well regarded and the dampers are very well made.
Chris
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P. de R. Leclercq
Re: shock absorbers
Well, it was me exactly.
I asked a friend who now runs his own operation in England to design a front damper for the Fulvia.
I jacked up the front spring on a Fanalone with a "porta-power" and measured the unsprung weight I gave him the data and with them, he specified the valving for the dampers. Three sets were made and I have the first set, which as I said were a revelation. I had no knowledge of this "new" approach to dampnig, but my friend told me that the dampers would react to half a millimetre of movement. They have spherical joints at the bottom but I am still using the hard rubber mounts at the top. They would probabaly be better if I were ever able to afford horizontal spherical joints!
Sadly I could never afford to commission a design for rear dampers, but the Spax ones do an excellent job
Paul
I asked a friend who now runs his own operation in England to design a front damper for the Fulvia.
I jacked up the front spring on a Fanalone with a "porta-power" and measured the unsprung weight I gave him the data and with them, he specified the valving for the dampers. Three sets were made and I have the first set, which as I said were a revelation. I had no knowledge of this "new" approach to dampnig, but my friend told me that the dampers would react to half a millimetre of movement. They have spherical joints at the bottom but I am still using the hard rubber mounts at the top. They would probabaly be better if I were ever able to afford horizontal spherical joints!
Sadly I could never afford to commission a design for rear dampers, but the Spax ones do an excellent job
Paul
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P. de R. Leclercq
Re: shock absorbers
SORRY!
I meant to write "it WASN'T me exactly"
Whoops!
Paul
I meant to write "it WASN'T me exactly"
Whoops!
Paul
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Arjan
Re: shock absorbers
"I agree with Paul that the ride quality of the Berlinas is extraordinairy. As period tests compair it with the Peugeot 404 which was the best of its time.
My 2C was the best car I have ever sold. It rode on The Carbons..."
.. after having done an odd few kilometers in a 2C, I can only agree with you William! It handles and rides majestically! It wouldnot be you by any chance, who sold me the 2C, would it.. ?:-)
The 2C is even more comfortable than a modern Lancia Lybra sometimes. Only at roundabouts it shows its age.. : just 39 next week !
My 2C was the best car I have ever sold. It rode on The Carbons..."
.. after having done an odd few kilometers in a 2C, I can only agree with you William! It handles and rides majestically! It wouldnot be you by any chance, who sold me the 2C, would it.. ?:-)
The 2C is even more comfortable than a modern Lancia Lybra sometimes. Only at roundabouts it shows its age.. : just 39 next week !
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justin
Re: shock absorbers
I can vouch for Paul's words.
His Fulvia rides like it's on glass, regardless of the surface condition (..and I don't mean slippery glass, before anyone jumps on that !)
I have an S1 coupe which drives properly with Koni Sports at the front and other mods to the springing (like his), but nothing like this damper performance.
If I could afford it I wouldn't think twice about ordering a similar pair; and certainly if I was contemplating any kind of competition, this would be one of the first investments I'd make.
Jus
His Fulvia rides like it's on glass, regardless of the surface condition (..and I don't mean slippery glass, before anyone jumps on that !)
I have an S1 coupe which drives properly with Koni Sports at the front and other mods to the springing (like his), but nothing like this damper performance.
If I could afford it I wouldn't think twice about ordering a similar pair; and certainly if I was contemplating any kind of competition, this would be one of the first investments I'd make.
Jus
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P. de R. Leclercq
Re: shock absorbers
William,
Hello.
Probably about 700 euros perhaps a little more. You also have to provide the correct spacers for the spherical joint at the bottom, and some kind of protective boots for the top; we used steering rack gaiters.
Paul
Hello.
Probably about 700 euros perhaps a little more. You also have to provide the correct spacers for the spherical joint at the bottom, and some kind of protective boots for the top; we used steering rack gaiters.
Paul