Replacing Suspension again!

[WildfireS3]

Ok, I have the feeling theat my suspenion is a little worse for wear (seems very soft), but I don't think I can afford to replace both front and rear at the same time . My girlfriend has given me the choice of:

One end of suspension
Sports Exhaust
HDD MP3 Player
Digital Camera.

Anyway, which end would I be better off replacing? I thought front. I was considering SPAX as I have them on my mini and think they are pretty good.

>>> Edited by WildfireS3 on Monday 17th May 15:26

[gemini]

Joolz recons for the budget that Avo are the way!

[BERGS2]

Go for the Digital Camera!


only kidding

seriously - let me know how you get on when you've done the front end to the S3 - I'm in a similar predicament of needing to sort the suspension on a limited budget!

[joospeed]

think I'd be changing the girlfriend and getting everything on the list!!
(just kidding ..)

[page3]

WildfireS3 said:

One end of suspension

I've just had the suspension done on my S (AVO's) and the front in particular makes a huge difference.

page3 says "An essential if you need to keep up on all those convoys..."

WildfireS3 said:

Sports Exhaust

I assume this is so everyone can hear you arriving from 2 miles away instead of only one mile?

page3 says "Sorry, did you say something..."

WildfireS3 said:

HDD MP3 Player

Especially useful for all those open-top sunny days. Obviously a sport-exhaust then required so you can still hear the engine singing.

page3 says "iPod, oh yes..."

WildfireS3 said:

Digital Camera.

Convoy essential so your passenger has something to do other than screaming at your overtaking decisions.

page3 says "Sunday's Thames Valley Convoy? No comment. "

[SXS]

Do the bits on the car, dont bother with the gadgets right now, gadgets are not a necessity, your P&J needs to get as much love as you would expect to get from your gf....

[dougs]

Did the suspension on mine in October - went for the AVO coilovers - fully adjustable. About £750 I think and a breeze to fit(although I got a garage to fit mine as under time pressure). Handling is excellent, just need to firm up the front a bit, couple of turns should do the trick. Get them!

[keirangrogan]

Just replaced mine with AVO's with 300lbs springs front
250 lbs rear

Bought direct from AVO £460 IIRC

[pistolar]

buy the camera - get some dirty photos of the girlfriend - sell them on ebay and buy some LEDA suspension

[M@H]

pistolar said:

buy the camera - get some dirty photos of the girlfriend - sell them on ebay and buy some LEDA suspension

...sounds like a plan..

[S3 Kieran]

Hmm... I think I may hold the record for the lowest front suspension on an S. The rear suspension is low according to the patented "Pies' three finger method" easy Podie...but the front didn't need measuring, as the arches were barely off the tyres!

I concluded that my springs had sagged, but my shocks were OK because I thought it still handles well. I thought I'd try changing the springs, as I've had the offer of a hand/compresser to change them, and save on the shocks, which could be added later if I was wrong.

Is this sensible, or have I missed anything?

[WildfireS3]

page3 - You tempt me with too much!!!

joolz - I can't change the gf. I need her to pay for the upgrades!! Besides she love the car just as much as I do, but has insisted that she only wants to be a passenger and never drive it. So more for me! How much for the front joolz?

Is there any S owners in Surrey near Croydon who's S i can have a look at when I go home to see how bad my car is?

Keiran, how long did they take to arrive?

[greenv8s]

The suspension can also sag if the damper mounting bushes have collapsed. Worth a check while you're looking for sagging springs.

[rpage]

Stupid question time. How does one recognise collapsed bushes.

I believe it is traditional at this point to say 'steady Podie'.

[Podie]

rpage said:

Stupid question time. How does one recognise collapsed bushes. I believe it is traditional at this point to say 'steady Podie'.

Spoilsport...

[S3 Kieran]

WildfireS3 said:

Kieran, how long did they take to arrive?

Sorry mate - Haven't done it yet - but after GreenV8S' comment (thanks) I'll get someone who would actually know to look at the mounts.

I'll let you know when sorted, but it won't be straight away.

[greenv8s]

Basically it's just a matter of looking at how far the bushes deflect under the weight of the car (they do normally deflect quite a long way) and seeing whether they are worse than normal. Generally if the bush has deflected so far that you have an air gap on one side then you may have a problem, but of course it will vary depending on the type of bush fitted. If in doubt, ask your preferred TVR specialist to check it over next time its in for servicing.

[S3 Kieran]

Thanks Peter

I was planning on doing this if it lasted that long - service due in couple of months - but grounded and therefore damaged exhaust might need treatment before then.

I'm OK on my own - but two up means I have to pick my way around lumps/dips in the road rather carefully. I just don't have any time until late June to do anything at all, apart from work/study.

[nicholaskerr]

Hi guys, got a similar problem and note all the different types of suspension mentioned. I thought we only had 2 options, AVO or Koni, please enlighten me as to what other types will fit my S2.

Guys,
Its gotta be GAZ. See posts from 'the gazman' - he'll see you right!

As an after thought - I had AVO's fitted to mine all round and had a couple fail/leak after less than 2 years. Wasn't impressed!

Nick