Spridget Tube Shocks

As noted by myself and Kim, we're having great weather here in the northeast. This prompted me to go for a top-down drive in the Spridget (and also the "Hiroshimo Lotus"). Natch, the shocks in the Spridget were out of oil, so while topping them up, I started thinking about tube shocks.....PeterMayEngineering sells a neat conversion, but it's big $$$$, and anyway, I love to tinker.........sooooo, I took out the tape measure and went to some web sites.....then off to the auto parts store (top down) and finally over to the shop (at work). By the end of last weekend, I'd built a presentable low-cost, tube shock conversion for the front end. Easy to switch back to "normal", if you change your mind. Concept would probably work for other lever shock cars. The difference is unbelievable.....I should have done this years ago. Total cost ~$45.00 (plus "sweat equity). Maybe this should go on "Tech-Tips". Anyway, here's the link:

https://npmccabe.tripod.com/spritetubeshock.htm

Lever arms can run out of oil? I had no idea! Good thing I stopped by the A-H area! (BTW, I've seen several Spridget tube conversion kits for both front and back. Never had the scratch to do them, though.)
-William

Brit lever shocks are not *supposed* to run out of oil.....but of course, we all know how things work in real world. If you're car bounces up and down excessivly while driving, or "judders" on bumpy turns, there's a good chance the shocks are out of oil (or worn out). The old "bounce the fender up-and-down" test (done on American cars) doesn't really work that well on Brit sports cars due to the stiff springs (they're often so stiff, they self-dampen). When the Spridget shocks were low on oil, it would almost change lanes on bumpy turns (inconvienient on single lane roads). Moss sells the correct shock oil (some folks believe you should change it every few years). Apple Hydraulics (in Long Island, NY) sells rebuilt lever shocks for all Brit cars (but several of my friends have told me that these rebuilt shocks don't last real long). Anyway, for me, the tube shock conversion is working out well.

I'm not suprized, Apple Hydraulics sells crap for rebuilt shocks. Almost everyone I have talked to that has done bussiness with them has been very unsatisfied with their work. One person said two weeks after Apple rebuilt his lever shocks they went back to leaking. There is a person that can rebuild lever shocks and does a great job. Peter Caldwell runs a import car parts bussiness out of Madison, Wisconsin. For those interested he can be contacted at nosimport@mailbag.com

Everyone that has done bussiness with him has had nothing but good things to say about their dealings with him. I'm not trying to make this sound like a ad but for those who don't want to convert to tube shocks this would be good information for them.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by BritishCarMan:
I'm not suprized, Apple Hydraulics sells crap for rebuilt shocks.

Almost everyone I have talked to that has done bussiness with them has been very unsatisfied with their work. One person said two weeks after Apple rebuilt his lever shocks they went back to leaking. There is a person that can rebuild lever shocks and does a great job. Peter Caldwell runs a import car parts bussiness out of Madison, Wisconsin. For those interested he can be contacted at nosimport@mailbag.com

Everyone that has done bussiness with him has had nothing but good things to say about their dealings with him. I'm not trying to make this sound like a ad but for those who don't want to convert to tube shocks this would be good information for them.<hr></blockquote>

Doesn't White Post also rebuild shocks?

I have to agree on the "Peter Built" shocks.
I had Apple do a set for me, both blew out in a few months. Peter's shocks are done correctly.
In fact, World Wide Auto Parts, Madison, WI (Peter's shop) now has the contract to rebuild lever shocks for Mo$$. Get them from the source and save a few bucks. <Peter@nosimport.com>
As far as tube shocks go, they leak too.
I have riden in a few tube shock Sprites, they ride like chebbies. I think you loose alot of handling charisteristics when you convert.

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by BritishCarMan:
<snip> Peter Caldwell runs a import car parts bussiness out of Madison, Wisconsin. For those interested he can be contacted at nosimport@mailbag.com

Everyone that has done bussiness with him has had nothing but good things to say about their dealings with him.<snip><hr></blockquote>

Britishcarman, does Peter have a Web site for his business? Maybe I could add it to our links section?

Basil

Good info to know-I've heard that just about most reconditioned lever dampers wear out too fast, as do remanufactured leaf springs. According to our trusted British Car Gurus, the shocks on our B are fine and dandy. (FWIW, the bounce test worked great on my Midget, but I think everything was original, Abingdon-installed anyway, so past its sell by date)
-William

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Basil:


Britishcarman, does Peter have a Web site for his business? Maybe I could add it to our links section?

Basil

<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, he does. I just refound the link to his site.

World Wide Auto Parts

[ 12-20-2001: Message edited by: BritishCarMan ]</p>