Lever-arm damper alternatives

[galaxie390]

Hi folks,

Has anyone fitted any of the aftermarket tube type shock absorbers to a 2 door? Do they make a difference? How do they fit? Is it a pain of a job?

How about anti-roll bars?


Thanks for any feedback.


Rich

'68 Dublin built 2-door. (Sam, as the local kids tell me its now called!)

[Cam]

I have fitted SPAX telescopics to my 4-door (same difference as a 2-door) and they are a VAST improvement over the lever arm dampers.

They bolt on after you have drilled holes for the bolts in the inner wing. It's quite an easy job.



Have a look at: http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Members_Ca ... 9_1000.htm

[Willie]

Cams car is a bit 'warm'. Fitting the front telescopic dampers to
an untuned 1098 Moggie was a great disappointment to me personally
as I noticed very little improvement. Fitting REAR telescopics made
a worthwhile improvement. For a really positive result fit a front
anti-roll bar. I suppose that if your front lever arms are worn then
it may make financial sense to fit telescopics at that stage but not if
the lever arms are working as designed.

[Cam]

Actually, Willie has a very good point there......... my car was terrible with just the lever arm dampers BUT I have driven a fair few standard 1098 Minors with standard lever arm dampers and they were perfectly fine.

[Kevin]

I have them fitted to the rear on my 2 Door and have found it to be a worthwhile improvement especially as where I live there are lots of large sleeping policemen and the rears do seem to suffer more than the fronts.

[galaxie390]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info. I suppose my next step is try a few other standard moggies. This is the first moggy I've driven so I can't really say wether it's good/bad/indifferent.

Speed bumps and country lanes would be my problem areas.

How do the front shocks attach to the lower arm?

Anit-roll bar: how does this attache? I looked at a few ads and they all claims its a bolt on kit.

Many thanks,

Rich


Rich

[Cam]

How do the front shocks attach to the lower arm?

There is a bracket which bolts to the leg. The bracket itself sits in the recess in the leg and the shocker pivot bar sticks out at right angles to the leg. You can see it in this picture:

[Peetee]

I can't comment on telescopic shockers but I can tell you that a front anti-roll bar combined with uprated oil (heavy duty motercycle fork oil) in the dampers front and rear makes for a very nice set up.

[Kevin]

combined with uprated oil (heavy duty motercycle fork oil)

There is a bit of conflict on using heavier oils as they have been known to damage the shocker units.

[57traveller]

And shear the securing bolts.

[_h_____]

I too run spax adjustables and a front anti roll bar, makes for a good setup, even on a standard car, but agree that in order, front anti roll bar, rear dampers, front dampers is the way to do it.

Whilst the Spax are good, they are way over priced, with a pair costing about 160pounds . this is why people like Minor Mania no longer do them. I have heard of other people using beetle dampers instead.