Technical THIS is the difference between '78 shocks and the rest.

[Dogdda]

These are the rear shocks for my '78 X.
Black one is old style original, Grey one is the later design that needs the 1500 top mount. Also note that the original CANNOT be dismantled without destruction.

 

[jimbro1000]

The 78's you've got are supposed to have inserts but obviously not in this case. Most likely they've been replaced at some point.

The major difference is the ride height of the car - I've never had an earlier car to compare all this with but that is what the books all say. The top mount is also different as noted and the designs are not really compatible.

I think most of the ride height difference comes from the springs rather than the dampers

 

[Dogdda]

I just want to cry! I am almost at wits end trying to figure these things out.

I had advice today (no names, no whinging - I will use "they") that the top mounts are the same (can't see how) between the 1300 and 1500 even though they know that the shaft tops are different (as per photos above). They also tell me that they have have shafts machined to fit the mounts. When I asked if this required disassembly, they said no, the casing is supported, the threaded end of the shaft is inserted in the lathe chuck and the shaft is machined. I CAN see this working, but I can ALSO see the "guts" of the shock being subjected to abnormal stress and possible seal destruction.

I'm going to shout now! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE POST A PIC OF THE MOUNT REQUIRED FOR THE NEW SHOCK SHOWN IN MY PIC ABOVE?? PLEEEEASE?!!

Thankyou all for your patience.

Dogdda

 

[jimbro1000]

I suggest popping over to xweb and asking there - the autocrossers have spent a lot of time getting this sort of thing sorted out even to the point of custom mounts (Mark Plaia was behind this if memory serves me right).

I purchased a set of adjustable top mounts from one of the members there and they were very nice indeed!

 

[Dogdda]

Well...........

I had the shafts machined as per my post above, after getting advice from a Pedders suspension bloke in Melbourne who told me that they used to do it too.

Put 'em on the car, no worries, though it seems that the fronts (which I also replaced) seem to sit a touch high (not by much).

So now I have a driveable X on the road.........super stoked, even though there are still a few little issues to sort. Apparently though, the KYB's are set a little hard for Aus roads and the strut towers will start cracking! Cross that bridge later, it's not like the car is going to get a flogging, my daughters will be driving it.

 

[erich]

Strut tower cracking worry

Well...........
Apparently though, the KYB's are set a little hard for Aus roads and the strut towers will start cracking! Cross that bridge later, it's not like the car is going to get a flogging, my daughters will be driving it.

Go over to xwebforums and search for Mark Plaia's Bigfoot strut doublers - these are machined steel plates that bolt in to reinforce the strut towers.

(Sorry, I'm not allowed to post URLs here yet, so I can't just give you the link)

 

[Dogdda]

Re: Strut tower cracking worry

Thankyou mate, will definitely have a look

 

[BillOliver]

I have 1978 X1/9.
I'm about to buy shocks for 1979 model from Justsuspension.
http://justsuspension.com/vaf/product/list/?___store=kyb_outlet&make=8&model=38&year=257
They are in Denver Colorado though free shipping to USA mainland.

The front shocks are the same.
For the rear pair, I'll need the shaving of 17mm as per photo in this thread.

WHO CAN DO IT AND HOW MUCH PLEASE?

Thank you so much.
Bill