Rear shocker telescopic conversion kit.

Post by **jollyroger** » Fri May 04, 2007 9:45 pm

Hi,
I am planning to fit a rear telescopic shocker conversion kit - it is the bolt on kind. I've read to pros and cons and I need to replace one of the dampers - cost being a factor I have gone for the bolt on kit.
I was wondering where the best place is to jack up the rear of the car so that I can put an axle stand under the front spring hanger? I don't want to jack up the floor pan. I can get access to a pit and can't jack up the rear axle as this will be over the pit. I need to support the body to take the bottom plate off the axle u bolts to put a new plate on for the shockers.
If anyone has fitted one of these kits or has any suggestions they will be most welcomed.
Thanks

Rog

Post by **plastic_orange** » Sat May 05, 2007 9:05 am

There are a couple of kits for sale - what one is it?

I would just jack up on the spring either forward or rear of the bottom plate and put an axle stand in this area.

Pete

Post by **Peetee** » Sat May 05, 2007 2:42 pm

I fitted the kit that uses the existing damper/chassis mounting pin. I jacked the car up so the rear wheels were just clear of the ground - doing both ends to keep the car level. I then unbolted the u-bolts holding the axle to the spring. the bottom plate is removed and the dedicated plate in the shock kit replaces it.

Post by **jollyroger** » Sat May 05, 2007 5:19 pm

The kit is one from ESM. I have made a start on it and jacked up the centre crossmemebr and put an axle stand just behind the rear spring hanger- packed out with a piece of wood..
The nut sheared off the top damper linkeage to the body pin - thankfully I do not need to use this. I then found that when I loossened the four U bolt nuts there was still a centre bolt - the one that holds the springs together kept turning. I then had to support the axle and remove the rear spring hanger and this allowed me to remove the dowel pin and replace it with a bolt.
I am nearly there.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:54 pm

The centre bolt should not have been touched - it just holds the spring together and should not be fixed into the damper mounting plate. What do the tops of the tele dampers mount to ?

Post by **jollyroger** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:55 pm

The centre bolt goes through the damper plate and has to be removed to take off the plate. The top of the struts bolt onto a steel U section that gets bolted underneath the boot floor.
When i went to do the other side the centre bolt never turned and it was easy enough to remove the nut.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:38 pm

jollyroger wrote:The centre bolt goes through the damper plate and has to be removed to take off the plate

Not usually, it doesn't

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon May 07, 2007 3:28 pm

Yep - normally a clearance hole in the middle of the mounting plate, and so no need to touch the bolt.
Better hope your floor is strong enough to take the U section - is there no welding/stiffening plates involved ????

Post by **Willie** » Mon May 07, 2007 6:34 pm

From my own experience I can say with absolute certainty that the boot floor is not strong enough to support the top mounting of tele dampers.
Unless your brackets are also fixed to the chassis box sections or mounted on an additional sturdy cross member you will have problems.

Post by **jollyroger** » Mon May 07, 2007 8:53 pm

I am going to try and get the ends of the box section welded to the chasis legs.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:39 am

I would say this is essential!! Whose kit is this ? Does it just say bolt to floor ?

Post by **Stig** » Tue May 08, 2007 10:33 am

I've heard other folks have had problems before, but I've had a bolt-on kit (Grumpy's) fitted to my Traveller for quite a few years now and there's no sign of cracks or damage to the floor. Maybe I'm just lucky, maybe the Traveller's a bit stronger. The cross member does go the full width between the chassis legs but it's only a U-section for the width between the damper mounts (they're angled in a bit).

Post by **Judge** » Tue May 08, 2007 10:47 am

I had problems with mine last year, with the floor cracking around each end of the U section bar.

Post by **jonathon** » Tue May 08, 2007 11:29 am

Irrespective of where you purchase this particular kit, it is from the same source. Folk have been having problems with this kit since its introduction in the 1980's, I'm just staggard at the fact that it is still sold as 'fit for purpose' and that those who have had it damage their cars ,not sued.
High time this kit was removed from sale. Still if no one complains to the right people nothing will be done.Similar products from the same source also ought to raise eyebrows, but it seems that many owners are prepared to accept the quality of these goods due to the initial cost. PM me if you want details of the kits, their source and inherant design faults. This is for your benefit and you will not be subject to a sales pitch, or blatant 'slagging off'. High time something was sorted about this matter, whether MMOC inspired or legal channels.
Rant over.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue May 08, 2007 1:40 pm

The Traveller is very much LESS strong in this area - at least the saloon has the back seat/rear shelf diaphragm to strengthen the bodyshell in that area. Go on Jonathon - send me the info please!

Post by **jonathon** » Tue May 08, 2007 1:54 pm

I did BM several months ago along with pics. Was by email not PM though.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed May 09, 2007 7:46 am

Don't think it arrived J - but let me check way back to-night - can't access hotmail at work !

Post by **aussiemike** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:20 pm

I have put in small boxes into the floor of my traveller( made from 3mm sheet steel) and then run tube inbetween these boxes and also to the floor so that there is 5 contact points where the tubeing touches the floor and also places where it touches the boxes. The bobes are obviously for the shock absorbers mounting. I am running an escort rear exle iwth a 3.7 ratio for the time being. I have fitted escort rear shockies and escort mounting plates that go on underneath the springs. Hope this makes sense. If I could post photos I would. Not saying my way is at all the best way, just 'a' way.
cheers, michael.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:24 am

Usually called 'turrets'. This can work - but needs bracing to whatever other metal ia available - on the saloon there is plenty but scant support on a Traveller! Pics would be interesting Mike.

Post by **aussiemike** » Thu May 10, 2007 9:00 am

cool no worries, pm me your e-mail and I will send you some photos of the project if you like?