New rear shocks required - taimar 1977
Discussion
The rear shocks on my 1977 Taimar are leaking. Any recommendations what to replace them with (apart from non leaking shocks),and / or where to purchase? What sort of money would I be looking at? (The wife and I knew the Taimar needed work prior to buying it, but she's starting to look at it as a bit of a money pit.) For the people that know the garage Mowatts have looked over the car and the shocks should be the last major item.
I used to run Koni Classics - purchased from Ian Bannister. Now I use Ledas, from Adrian Venn. Around £500 if I remember - but they may have gone up since then.
Suggest that you replace all four if possible, and get the corner weighting done at the same time. Made a hell of a difference to the handling of the car.
Pietro
Suggest that you replace all four if possible, and get the corner weighting done at the same time. Made a hell of a difference to the handling of the car.
Pietro
You have many choices (Spax, Avo, Koni, Leda). If you want ultimate performance then the Leda are the best, if you want a comfortable road car then I would recommend Konis. Apart from Avo I've tried them all!
Spax may be cheapest but my experience is that they last less than 6K miles on the rear (ok I'll accept my Taimar was a bit abused!).
Konis are definitely the most comfortable but cannot be adjusted after fitting to the car.
Leda are adjustable and in my mind offer the best handling car, especially if you like a hard setup.
I would recommend new rear springs at the same time, not much extra money and then from a specialist you can get them delivered as a complete spring/shock absorber unit. Piece of cake to fit.
Adrian Venn or Steve Reid (gamekeeper) will supply them for you.
davidy
Spax may be cheapest but my experience is that they last less than 6K miles on the rear (ok I'll accept my Taimar was a bit abused!).
Konis are definitely the most comfortable but cannot be adjusted after fitting to the car.
Leda are adjustable and in my mind offer the best handling car, especially if you like a hard setup.
I would recommend new rear springs at the same time, not much extra money and then from a specialist you can get them delivered as a complete spring/shock absorber unit. Piece of cake to fit.
Adrian Venn or Steve Reid (gamekeeper) will supply them for you.
davidy
dcz obviously knows of those specialists suggested in previous replies, he has been a member for several months and has been involved in various discussions. I think Terminators advice to deal direct has much wisdom if you consider saving a few pounds at the expense of buying from a TVR specialist to be wise. I personally think it is the worst piece of advice ever given on these forums for the simple reason that once the specialists are no longer in business because you wanted to save a few pounds you will all be moaning that you have no support.If it were not for the efforts of David Gerald, Adrian Venn and Steve Reid, ( I know nothing of Ian Bannister and have never seen any advertisements for his company) most classic TVR's would have been scrapped and worthless.
I race a Bugatti and were it not for specialists I would not have a car to race because it would not have been possible for my father, grand father and great grand father to keep it on the road for 80 years.
I think buying from a specialist and paying a few pounds more is investing in the future of the marque, look how many manufacturers have disappeared without trace and ask yourself why. So you can save a few pounds or look at the bigger picture, and yes I did buy my Chimaera from a classic TVR specialist rather than a "main dealer" and got much better service, which you can not put a price on.Buy direct from the manufacturer and all you get is a box in the post, buy from a specialist and you get the box and service.
I bought from a specialist in Cheshire and would gladly pay more for the knowledge and service, but then I can afford it.
I race a Bugatti and were it not for specialists I would not have a car to race because it would not have been possible for my father, grand father and great grand father to keep it on the road for 80 years.
I think buying from a specialist and paying a few pounds more is investing in the future of the marque, look how many manufacturers have disappeared without trace and ask yourself why. So you can save a few pounds or look at the bigger picture, and yes I did buy my Chimaera from a classic TVR specialist rather than a "main dealer" and got much better service, which you can not put a price on.Buy direct from the manufacturer and all you get is a box in the post, buy from a specialist and you get the box and service.
I bought from a specialist in Cheshire and would gladly pay more for the knowledge and service, but then I can afford it.
BugattiQueen
Unforntuantely Terminator does know what he is doing, once upon a time he too ran a specialist TVR sales and spares company and has good contacts all over the place. He is also a cheeky b**ger and can generally blag his way anywhere (Thats a complimement Colin!!!)
Whilst his advice may not suit all requirements, he has added GAZ shock absorbers to the list, about which I have absolutely no experience. Anyone else looked at these?
With regard to Leda he probably won't save a few pounds as another trader has a special deal with Leda on M series shock absorbers and can probably match the price Terminator (Colin) gets direct.
But I agree without enthusiasts such as Adrian, Steve (Classic TVR) and Ian support for the cars would be less enthusiastic, but one of the historical problems (early-mid 90s) with supplying parts on 'classic' TVRs is that one dealer/trader used to charge ridiculous prices as he thought he had a captive market, this is my opinion only (well actually many people). (I would like to add this trader/dealer changed hands a few years ago, I have not dealt with the new owners even though I know them personally and so can't comment on their current policies). This forced a number of people to start finding out direct sources and buying direct. Would you do the same if the Bugatti traders all started changing ludicrous prices? (Terminator has this in his makeup and always looks to save a few pounds, that way he can spend more on beer and skittles!)
BTW Ian Bannister does 'spare time' TVR restoration and spares, as such he doesn't advertise but trades with a few people on recommendation only.
Hope thats a reasonable explanation
davidy
BTW Colin before you take offence at the Essex reference I was born in Hornchurch!
Unforntuantely Terminator does know what he is doing, once upon a time he too ran a specialist TVR sales and spares company and has good contacts all over the place. He is also a cheeky b**ger and can generally blag his way anywhere (Thats a complimement Colin!!!)
Whilst his advice may not suit all requirements, he has added GAZ shock absorbers to the list, about which I have absolutely no experience. Anyone else looked at these?
With regard to Leda he probably won't save a few pounds as another trader has a special deal with Leda on M series shock absorbers and can probably match the price Terminator (Colin) gets direct.
But I agree without enthusiasts such as Adrian, Steve (Classic TVR) and Ian support for the cars would be less enthusiastic, but one of the historical problems (early-mid 90s) with supplying parts on 'classic' TVRs is that one dealer/trader used to charge ridiculous prices as he thought he had a captive market, this is my opinion only (well actually many people). (I would like to add this trader/dealer changed hands a few years ago, I have not dealt with the new owners even though I know them personally and so can't comment on their current policies). This forced a number of people to start finding out direct sources and buying direct. Would you do the same if the Bugatti traders all started changing ludicrous prices? (Terminator has this in his makeup and always looks to save a few pounds, that way he can spend more on beer and skittles!)
BTW Ian Bannister does 'spare time' TVR restoration and spares, as such he doesn't advertise but trades with a few people on recommendation only.
Hope thats a reasonable explanation
davidy
BTW Colin before you take offence at the Essex reference I was born in Hornchurch!
BugattiQueen said:Bugatti Queen, you miss the point by a mile (1.25 kilometers). Rob, (dcz) asked for advice and I gave some. That's what these forums are for; mutual help and advice. Both Adrian Venn & Steve Reid are friends of mine, both post on here and neither of them complain that PistonHeads forums are bad for their businesses. There will always be a place for specialists and if my advice puts any out of business, then they can't be all that good.
I personally think it is the worst piece of advice ever given on these forums for the simple reason that once the specialists are no longer in business because you wanted to save a few pounds you will all be moaning that you have no support.
I used to try and be smart and go it alone on occasion, but have more recently come to the conclusion that you won't pay that much more to buy off a TVR specialist for bits ( you may even save as David mentioned)
If you know what you doing you can get away with it, but if you are young and relatively inexperienced like me(compared to these old(er) hands round here!) you can end up costing yourself more.
A TVR specialist will willingly spend half an hour on th phone giving advice on fitting or whatever, and will also help with advice even when there is no sale going on.
An independent won't have a clue about TVR specifics, then you are on your own. Becasue Mr Haynes hasn't leant a hand there is no fall back!!
>> Edited by stigproducts on Friday 26th November 23:51
If you know what you doing you can get away with it, but if you are young and relatively inexperienced like me(compared to these old(er) hands round here!) you can end up costing yourself more.
A TVR specialist will willingly spend half an hour on th phone giving advice on fitting or whatever, and will also help with advice even when there is no sale going on.
An independent won't have a clue about TVR specifics, then you are on your own. Becasue Mr Haynes hasn't leant a hand there is no fall back!!
>> Edited by stigproducts on Friday 26th November 23:51
Thank you for your replies. Can i first say that my Chimaera is not my first TVR ( I still have a Tuscan V8 which we no longer use because it is just too hot inside, and have owned 7 other TVR's over the last 22 years )so I am quite familiar with the the cars and people involved.
Terminator, I dont think I missed any point (although I disagree with your miles/kilometre conversion). I fully understood your point in fact and that is why I responded. I am not sure if I would want friends in business who recommended that customers didn't use me but as davidy implied this is obviously your way. I dont think I have ever been charged ludicrous prices by any TVR, Bugatti or for that matter Mercedes specialists---I have by BMW specialists but that is another story.I have been charged a lot for things in the past but given these are specialists cars and it is my choice to own them I dont expect to pay Citroen prices to have my Mercedes or Bugatti worked on but I accept that the legitimate businesses that do look after these cars have overheads that some people chose to disregard. As regards "spare time" specialists do they pay tax, public liability insurance, business rates, vat??? You may save money here in the short term but have no comeback if anything goes wrong but that is yet another story.
I had to laugh very much when I read from davidy that Terminator used to be a TVR specialist because that makes him a " gamekeeper turned poacher ". Ironic!
I dont want my views to cause argument and if you chose to buy cheap then that is your choice and we are all fortunate enough to have choice
Terminator, I dont think I missed any point (although I disagree with your miles/kilometre conversion). I fully understood your point in fact and that is why I responded. I am not sure if I would want friends in business who recommended that customers didn't use me but as davidy implied this is obviously your way. I dont think I have ever been charged ludicrous prices by any TVR, Bugatti or for that matter Mercedes specialists---I have by BMW specialists but that is another story.I have been charged a lot for things in the past but given these are specialists cars and it is my choice to own them I dont expect to pay Citroen prices to have my Mercedes or Bugatti worked on but I accept that the legitimate businesses that do look after these cars have overheads that some people chose to disregard. As regards "spare time" specialists do they pay tax, public liability insurance, business rates, vat??? You may save money here in the short term but have no comeback if anything goes wrong but that is yet another story.
I had to laugh very much when I read from davidy that Terminator used to be a TVR specialist because that makes him a " gamekeeper turned poacher ". Ironic!
I dont want my views to cause argument and if you chose to buy cheap then that is your choice and we are all fortunate enough to have choice
Actually I don't think its the ludicrous prices as much as everything was "its a special TVR part sir" or " TVR modified the part sir2", when you knew it wasn't, often it was just a standard Triumph or Girling type part.
As an example the M series suspension bushes (which are Triumph type bushes) a few years ago Steve Reid/Colin £2.20 a bush, a certain specialist TVR trader £4+ a bush, but then again the same bush was fitted to an Aston Martin and many Aston specialists charged up to £16 per bush!
As you said great we have choice, but some specialists are enthusiasts just making a tidy living, others want to make a fast buck and charge high prices, you takes your money and pays your choice.
Regarding your Tuscan, may I suggest you investigate a vented rear window (via Ian MAssey Crosse) as this will let hot cabin air our. Ok its not original but it may let you use the car.
davidy
As an example the M series suspension bushes (which are Triumph type bushes) a few years ago Steve Reid/Colin £2.20 a bush, a certain specialist TVR trader £4+ a bush, but then again the same bush was fitted to an Aston Martin and many Aston specialists charged up to £16 per bush!
As you said great we have choice, but some specialists are enthusiasts just making a tidy living, others want to make a fast buck and charge high prices, you takes your money and pays your choice.
Regarding your Tuscan, may I suggest you investigate a vented rear window (via Ian MAssey Crosse) as this will let hot cabin air our. Ok its not original but it may let you use the car.
davidy
Back to the original question....it has not been mentioned that the ride height adjustable set-ups no longer use 14 inch springs that would be pre-loaded to give THAT 70's FEEL and you would need to contact a specialist that HAS corner- weighting equipment or call one to just run the question by him prior to just putting any old spring rate on the car (I can only assume that's what Colin's call (terminator) amounted to prior to him fitting his AND Leda have done in the distant past) ....BUT even then they are not worth a penny if the car is NOT corner-weighted. (I think that said, both Colin and David know, as do many more that have either bought them or had them fitted, my spring rates, and have the good grace to allow me to earn a crust ! by not putting it into print.
Adrian
>> Edited by adrian@ on Sunday 28th November 10:30
Adrian
>> Edited by adrian@ on Sunday 28th November 10:30
I replaced the original armstrong units on my 3000s this last spring with GAZ GP series. I sandblasted the original springs and painted them as I had no issues with them. I set the units at 12 (clicks) from the lowest setting and find that a good setting for street only use. I paid about US $ 120.00 each.through the US East Coast distributor. I have only put on about 500 miles since the install but so far the control and road feel are much improved over the armstrongs. One word of advise if you are reusing your old springs make sure you get a proper measurement of the inside diamater of your springs there are many combinations fitted by the factory. Good Luck, Gary.
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