need some new shocks......
Discussion
I'd buy Spax for a Mini.
Their telescopic dampers have been in production forever and are a simple and pretty reliable unit.
They even sell shorter units for Minis that have been drastically lowered.
AVO dampers were born out of the ashes of the old Spax production facility (was it on the Isle of Wight?) and were essentially the same design, so are probably a good option.
Unless their struts have improved of late, however, the telescopic dampers are the only Spax product I'd spend money on.
Their telescopic dampers have been in production forever and are a simple and pretty reliable unit.
They even sell shorter units for Minis that have been drastically lowered.
AVO dampers were born out of the ashes of the old Spax production facility (was it on the Isle of Wight?) and were essentially the same design, so are probably a good option.
Unless their struts have improved of late, however, the telescopic dampers are the only Spax product I'd spend money on.
I've used SPAX on my rally Minis for the past 11 years and never had one fail (yet!). I have only changed them to ensure reliability and my last set, after 15 hard rallies, are still giving mgreat service on a road going Mini. However, I've had no success with SPAX struts on my Rover rally car and the first (and only) set lasted 2 hours on their first rally before they leaked fluid.
Personally I am no fan of KONI as they are difficult to adjust and ae soft on bump ans stiff on rebound which is OK for racing but not so good on the road or rally. I believe the AVO's are good. Bilstein do Mini dampers, but for road use they are a bit harsh and noisy and not adjustable, but they are very strong.
Mini Spares do SPAX at a sensible price, but you could ask Rich (1071guru) for his opinion about current 'best buys' as he works at Mini Spares in Harrogate.
I hope this helps
Personally I am no fan of KONI as they are difficult to adjust and ae soft on bump ans stiff on rebound which is OK for racing but not so good on the road or rally. I believe the AVO's are good. Bilstein do Mini dampers, but for road use they are a bit harsh and noisy and not adjustable, but they are very strong.
Mini Spares do SPAX at a sensible price, but you could ask Rich (1071guru) for his opinion about current 'best buys' as he works at Mini Spares in Harrogate.
I hope this helps
www.minisport.com/classic-mini-shop/products/suspension-and-steering/shock-absorbers/spax-adjustable-shock-absorbers/spax-yellow-adjustable-shock-absorbers-product.html
is it these ones miniman?
so it looks as thought the general concensus is spax then.
is it these ones miniman?
so it looks as thought the general concensus is spax then.
That's a nice deal there.
Don't set them too hard. The Mini suspension needs to work and not have the dampers do too much. I've driven so many Minis with the dampers set too hard. When you hit bumps the wheels don't stay in good contact with the road and the road holding suffers as a result. Nice compliant suspension is what you need for the road.
Don't set them too hard. The Mini suspension needs to work and not have the dampers do too much. I've driven so many Minis with the dampers set too hard. When you hit bumps the wheels don't stay in good contact with the road and the road holding suffers as a result. Nice compliant suspension is what you need for the road.
Forget ££££sport or ££££spares!cooperman said:
However, I've had no success with SPAX struts on my Rover rally car and the first (and only) set lasted 2 hours on their first rally before they leaked fluid.
The piston rods used to be made out of Turkish steel on the top adjustable struts, which was too soft.
It would pick up dings and scratches from careless spannering or from road debris if the rod is exposed.
This would tear the seals and leaks would soon follow.
For some reason, the telescopic dampers were far more robust.
Those struts are probably fine for a road car. However, the bending loads a McPherson strut applies to the piston in addition to the concentric loads does the seals/guides in and a really good unit is necessary for rough road rallies. I now use KYB's with springs up-rated from 120 lbs/in to 220 lbs/in which gives the Rover a good compliant suspension and keeps the wheels on the tracks. The SPAX on the rear of the Rover failed quite quickly as well and now I have KYB's. But on a Mini SPAX have always been great and I've no complaints.
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