Shocks rating

KZN KZTE · Post by **KZN KZTE** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:11 pm

Hi there,

I had my Hilux's shocks tested on a machine at one of the tyre places during the week and got the following results:

Front: 85 & 95
Back: 122 & 135

Does that mean anything to anyone?

Thanks

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:40 pm

It looks like you're favouring the one side and letting the other work harder ...... or ..... how much do you weigh?

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 6:08 pm

Klink my jy sit teveel regs voor

KZN KZTE · Post by **KZN KZTE** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:24 pm

Haha - good ones yes!

But the guy at the tyre place recon my back shocks are shot as the figure must be under 120.
I wanted to check it with anyone who had the same expercience before I believe the guy who wants to sell me the shocks (if you know what I mean :))

Thing is my front suspension feels very hard (speed bumbs are a killer) so I was surprised that my front shocks are fine and my back shocks are gone - would have thought it to be the other way around.
Anyway - I will replace the back ones but thought I will post here to see what info I get.

At least I got some laughs :) but if anyone can provide more info on the specs those machines work on it would be nice to know.

Cheers

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:29 pm

Ja ... I'd also like to know what the calibrations mean, so if anyone knows, please .......

As a matter of curiosity, what brand of shocks do you have?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:34 pm

Another thing is how many km's have you done with the existing shocks?

KZN KZTE · Post by **KZN KZTE** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:49 pm

I bought the Lux on 144,000 and now have 153,000 on the clock so I'm not sure about the history. I had a look at the shock and all I can say is that they are blue in colour (no branding) so I take it, it is still the original shocks which at that milage sounds about right.

I sure hope the new shocks will make the ride more comfy as it is killing my back

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:54 pm

You say BLUE, Can you put some pic's, I wonder if it might be Bilsteins they have blue in them just taking a guess

:shifty:

KZN KZTE · Post by **KZN KZTE** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:11 pm

I will take a pic tomorrow day-time.
I sure hope they are BS as I heard they are re-newable or re-something.
But not putting my hope on it, sure it's just stock.

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:13 pm

Ja and you pay for them

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:32 pm

You are 100% right Spartan. BS are very pricy!

I changed mine to Iron Man and was very surprised with the improved handling, especially around corners.

But there are lots to choose from

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:34 pm

KZN KZTE wrote:I bought the Lux on 144,000 and now have 153,000 on the clock so I'm not sure about the history. I had a look at the shock and all I can say is that they are blue in colour (no branding) so I take it, it is still the original shocks which at that milage sounds about right.

I sure hope the new shocks will make the ride more comfy as it is killing my back

Ride comfort is determined far more by the front suspension than the back, and although the shocks make a big difference the springs are also an important factor. Consider a suspension upgrade for your back.

KZN KZTE · Post by **KZN KZTE** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 7:26 am

Spartan - Sorry man - I think the light was a bit bad when I checked it the 1st time and it looked dark blue. Checked again now and it's more black than anything :)
So not BS

Mud Dog - I agree with your comment that it's the front that makes for smoother riding that is why I was so surprised to find the front is still ok but the back gone.
Like I say I will have to replace the back anyway as it tends to drift quite a bit on gravel.
Also looking into an upgrade (thanks Ooom who pointed me to an advert).

One thing I have to consider is that it is a 4X2 and I will never take it offroad (except for gravel roads onroute somewhere) so I don't want to go overboard. My idea is to get a more car-like ride even if I loose clearance or offroad capabilities. (I have the RRC for the 4X4 stuff).

I noticed the 4X2 has IFS - not sure if they could be set?
And the back leave springs - not sure if removing a blade wil help?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 7:47 am

Pierre, now that's a first 'removing a leaf spring'

Yes, the IFS tortion bars can be adjusted!

Iron man for example make 3 different types of leaf springs.
1) Comfort - However no load is recommended, not even a canopy, is what their sales staff advise.
2) Medium - Good ride ability, and can carrry some load.
3) Heavy Duty - Heavy Load ability, but heavy on the kidneys especially with no load.

The above are pretty expensive however!

2.8 d/cab SFA · Post by **2.8 d/cab SFA** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:35 am

Does anyone know if you need a diffrent size shocks for the SFA, if you want to upgrade to mikem suspension.
Want to buy the shocks first and then upgrade, when I get bucks, to mikem. I was thinking of buying Gabriel Safari.

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:37 am

A kidney belt or two might be cheaper

Removing a spring will give a softer ride .... I think it's the bottom or 2nd one from the bottom that you remove, but it will affect your ride height and load carrying capacity.

KZN KZTE · Post by **KZN KZTE** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:47 am

OOOOMS wrote: Pierre, now that's a first 'removing a leaf spring'

Yes, the IFS tortion bars can be adjusted!

Not a 1st - check this post:
viewtopic.php?f=92&t=57

So you say the IFS are adjustable.
Great - is it a DIY or who can do it?
Is it advisable to do it and does it help to soften the ride?
Impact on alignment and tyre wear?
Anyone did it who can post their findings?

OOOOMS · Post by **OOOOMS** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:19 am

Done by a fitment centre, not 100% sure of the wheel implications ex.

...most guys on the forum want to raise their vehicles

Post by **Mud Dog** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:49 am

Lowering the suspension should not impact on the alignment. The IFS tortion bar type spring as I understand, can be done on the vehicle ... nothing has to be removed. Have'nt done it myself, but that's what I'm led to believe

The removal of a rear blade means dropping the axle by releasing the u-bolts, removing the centre bolt through the pack, removing a blade and then re-assembling. The packs locate into a hole on the pedestal so they should be in the same place they were before.

Spartan · Post by **Spartan** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:03 pm

Mud Dog wrote:Removing a spring will give a softer ride

:wth:

Buy a platkar if you want a soft ride

legend35 · Post by **legend35** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:37 pm

I had to do the allignment after they set the tortion bars.

Post by **CasKru** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:52 pm

Pierre, volgens my is die vinnigste manier om meer ride comfort te kry is om jou rubber bushes te vervang met die polyurethane bushes. Jy sal verbaas wees wat daai oukies doen veral as jy jou shackles nog grease ook

Post by **Family_Dog** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:00 pm

The removal of a rear blade means dropping the axle by releasing the u-bolts, removing the centre bolt through the pack, removing a blade and then re-assembling. The packs locate into a hole on the pedestal so they should be in the same place they were before.

Not necessarily so. When 4x4MW fitted OME to Bulldog, the rear alignment was out, not that you could notice it while driving, but a chap behind me told me I was crawling along like a crab. They should have sent BD for a wheel alignment afterwards to set the axle properly. Seems there's always a slight bit of play. Maybe they did and the WA guys were asleep. who knows?

-F_D

KZN KZTE · Post by **KZN KZTE** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 3:49 pm

Spartan wrote: Buy a platkar if you want a soft ride

Haha - Joker!! But the Hilux's suspension is no joke

KZN KZTE · Post by **KZN KZTE** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:28 am

Thanks for input from all. I could not stand the back pain a day longer and fitted 4 new Gabriel Safaris on Monday.
I must say it is a span better :)
I knew the back shocks were gone, but it seems like that caused the see-saw effect to bump against the stuffed back shocks when the front shocks hit a dip or bump resulting in VERY uncomfortable ride.

To put things in perspective - I do about 5000km a month on KZN's pothole roads, so at the end of a rough day I kinda loose my sense of humour :)
If it was a dedicated paly vehicle then I would not have moaned at all.

But - bottomline - I;m happy again :)

Mountain Man · Post by **Mountain Man** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:21 pm

The adjustment of the tortion bar will affect the camber. To quantify that I will say that is the case of the Isuzu 2wd. We used to use these vehicles in Zambia and when we adjusted the tortion bars this affected the camber a lot. Strangely the higher the vehicle was lifted the more the wheels tilted in at the top. and the lower it was set the more it tilted in at the bottom. We used to go to the wheel alignment place and with their sensors on we would adjust the ride height. Due to the fact that there is limited adjustment for the camber one had to make sure that the torsion bar adjustment fell in this parameter. I don't know if that will be the case with your vehicle.

Hope this helps.

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