I found what appears to be a really good video on shock absorbers. It compares a shock that is 50% good to one that is 100% good.
Do you believe this?
Do you believe this?
Effect of bad shock absorbers on road handling
- Thread starter AnthonyH
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Effect of bad shock absorbers on road handling
You can normally feel it in the bends, bumps & dips in the road etc if you have bad shocks. My 1980 Classic Mini which I've had nearly 2 years now only has 29k on the clock from new & the handling felt a little sloppy, as we all know with Mini's they should be direct & on point the handlings that good on them 
I replaced all 4 with Boge dampers, 3 of them were original from 1980 & 1 was 1998 so were well overdue, she's now perfect. It was the same with my Seicento, I replaced both rears when I first got the car & did both fronts recently when I had to replace faulty top mounts, now it's transformed it 
it's currently getting a new driveshaft due to a split inner boot leaking gearbox oil along with new anti roll bar brackets & bushes.
I replaced all 4 with Boge dampers, 3 of them were original from 1980 & 1 was 1998 so were well overdue, she's now perfect. It was the same with my Seicento, I replaced both rears when I first got the car & did both fronts recently when I had to replace faulty top mounts, now it's transformed it it's currently getting a new driveshaft due to a split inner boot leaking gearbox oil along with new anti roll bar brackets & bushes.
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I'm glad you agree. The video makes some bold claims and backs them up, but i wasn't sure whether to believe it.
I've replaced 3 of the 4 shocks on my GP and it definitely handles better than my EVO with 4 old shocks.
I was speculating on the reason for this and thinking maybe it was because of the inner tie rods being different, without realising the effect of shocks.
It could also explain inner tyre wear, that mimicks toe-out.
I've replaced 3 of the 4 shocks on my GP and it definitely handles better than my EVO with 4 old shocks.
I was speculating on the reason for this and thinking maybe it was because of the inner tie rods being different, without realising the effect of shocks.
It could also explain inner tyre wear, that mimicks toe-out.
With my Seicento all 4 shocks were really rusty & the ride was generally a bit sloppy which was why I did them, it's definitely improved it , also I don't like to leave anything to get worse, especially anything related to suspension, tyres, steering, brakes etc.
, also I don't like to leave anything to get worse, especially anything related to suspension, tyres, steering, brakes etc.
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With my Puntos you find that the shocks don't completly fail, until you take them off. They get lower, so for example instead of having a stroke of 10cm they might only do 3cm. In my mind this meant the springs compressed more, and it didn't affect the ride so much. I think that's wrong.
Greasytrucker
Established member
I need to replace the rear shocks on my Octavia estate before it has me in the ditch……if you hit a bump whilst going round a bend it skips the back over. Not nice 
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LOL.I need to replace the rear shocks on my Octavia estate before it has me in the ditch……if you hit a bump whilst going round a bend it skips the back over. Not nice
Don't worry about that! it makes life interesting lol.
Greasytrucker
Established member
Opposite lock at 4.30 in the morning on your way to work when you’re half asleep, with a coffee in one hand isn’t what i’d call interesting!
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You're still here lol. I have faith in your driving and the car!Opposite lock at 4.30 in the morning on your way to work when you’re half asleep, with a coffee in one hand isn’t what i’d call interesting!
I like driving across the Mersey Gateway bridge in my EVO when its windy, feels like a fair ground ride! Great fun! lol
I'd say that's a early morning wake up callOpposite lock at 4.30 in the morning on your way to work when you’re half asleep, with a coffee in one hand isn’t what i’d call interesting!
Greasytrucker
Established member
Be a more fun commute next summer when i get a classic mini again……not had one for 10+ years and i do miss it. Got my 1275 MG Metro engine and my walnut dashboard out of my old Cooper, just need a car now!I'd say that's a early morning wake up call
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Them old minis are the bees knees. Can only nod in agreement. I'd not buy a more modern one, they are about as reliable as a Punto and dont have the cache of the original ones.
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This is more what i like
I must watch the Italian Job again.
"You Were Only Supposed To Blow The Bloody Doors Off!"
I must watch the Italian Job again.
"You Were Only Supposed To Blow The Bloody Doors Off!"
- Garage manager: You must have shot an awful lot of tigers, sir.
- Charlie Croker: Yes, I used a machine gun.
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I missed my first Mini as well which is why I got another one after 5 years
I wanted the earliest car I could afford which at the time was either MK3 or MK4 along with MOT & tax exemption so it took a while to find a good one but it came eventually after a 6 hour round trip. It only comes out in nice weather & shows as most of the bodywork is original, also I have the Seicento as my daily driver.
The best film everThis is more what i like
View attachment 454251
I must watch the Italian Job again.
"You Were Only Supposed To Blow The Bloody Doors Off!"
- Garage manager: You must have shot an awful lot of tigers, sir.
- Charlie Croker: Yes, I used a machine gun.
.
Nothing has the cache of an old Mini, they are just unique
the closest car to a Mini I've ever come across in terms of width & handling is the 141 Panda (the proper Panda's).
What they show is absolutely true. If the shock absorbers (dampers) are not doing their job as intended, the spring is less controlled, and will tend to bounce a lot more, leaving you with the feeling that the wheels are not firmly attached. As described above, you should feel it in the way it corners and handles bumps, easier with a car that is new to you, but owning one for some time, the wear creeps up gently, so is less noticeable.
I'm puzzled at the 3 of 4. It is generally recommended to replace them in pairs, across any axle, to maintain similar characteristics each side. OE shocks can be different for each model in a range, but aftermarket replacements tend to go with a compromise and list one for a whole range. Even OE replacements do this to reduce inventory. But any new shock will be better than any old one. Ideally, soon, replace the one remaining one with one identical to the new one the other side.
Years ago, many manufacturers only supplied them in pairs, but that seems to have disappeared, selling them singly, but always recommending a pair.
I've just replaced the front struts on the Fabia. 69k miles. (Yesterday) Not driven it yet, but the old ones were significantly easier to compress and extend, as well as leaking a little.
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I'm glad I've learnt this now.
The 3 of 4 shocks is unusual, I'm doing the fourth tomorrow. I felt kind of overwhelmed by all the maintenance tasks I had, so did other things, and left one undone.
Good that you're evening things up. Be interesting to see if you feel a difference with both sides new. Good experiment. (As long as not parked in a ditch)
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I'd say it handles quite well now, but i figure there will be more improvement. Will be interesting.
And if nothing else my ears will be free of the boing thats currently coming from that strut
