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rebuild shocks?

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Thor

Thor

Senior Member
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Can anyone tell me what their experience has been in getting their midget shocks rebuilt?

Money is tight right now and I don't have a lot of capital to put towards new shocks and was wondering if getting the shocks rebuilt might give me some time.

I was looking at the following website which isn't too far from where i live called Apple Hydraulics. They're webstie is https://www.applehydraulics.com/ . They also advertise heavy duty rebuilts that add 30% more stiffness. They recommend this for the fronts and I was wondering if anyone had ever done this or even put them on the rear and found it benefical?

Anyways hope some of you can suggest whether or not it is worth considering or should I just hold off and save up enough to buy new ones.

Thanks
 
Great company, I think you will be pleased and about half the price of new. Wayne
 
Thor, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif Go along with TJ you will not be disappointed---Keoke
 
Do any of you think its worth getting a heavier rebuilt shock for the rear or is that overkill?
 
What are you going to use the car for? What type of springs do you have? Are you going to do any other suspension mods? Talk to Peter at Worldwide Auto; he will give good advice (he's a spridget guy).
 
I got rebuilt shocks from World Wide and am very pleased. One of the front shocks had less resistance than the other and they replaced it quickly at no charge. They are great to do business with.
 
i vote for Peter at Worldwide. I have been very happy and not a drop of oil has leaked out. Plus they are garanteed forever

mark
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do any of you think its worth getting a heavier rebuilt shock for the rear or is that overkill?

[/ QUOTE ]
If by heavier, you mean increased damping, a long answer to a short question:

Shocks are primarily intended to control spring rebound & ideally, their resistance should be matched to the spring rate & car weight.

This is not often the case though & shocks with heavier compression damping are used to help out springs which are too light or have short compression travel. Heavier rebound damping can compensate for lack of suspension rebound travel & topping out.

Heavier spring rates require heavier shock rates to control the springs.

Leaf springs have more inherent friction damping than coils.

Shocks also control the transient (first response) to body roll when entering a corner. Most LBC suspensions have several deficiencies which the shocks are designed to help.

Too much compression damping will result in a very rough ride. Too little compression damping will result in suspension bottoming.

Too little rebound damping will result in suspension topping, generally loose bouncy feeling & wheel hop. Too much rebound damping will result in shock pump down (failure of the suspension to fully return) on a series of "stutter bumps". The shock valving can be changed to nearly anything that you desire.

It is sometimes surprising to find that rebuilt shocks are much stiffer than the apparently "still good" old shocks. If a shock is leaking at all, it is likely that it is worn enough to not provide good damping.

To make matters worse, stock LBC's often have weak shock mounts which will eventually fail if shock damping is greatly increased. If in doubt, don't go more than 10% stiffer on the settings. Some of the expensive tube shock conversion kits also provide stronger shock mounts which are a necessity.

Racers who are after the last little bit of suspension performance usually use adjustable spring rates & easily adjustable shock rates to tailor the suspension to the specific race course. Street cars are a compromise & largely a matter of driver preference. Rough ride does not always equate to better handling.
D
 
Thanks all this has been extremely helpful in making my decision. I am going to try rebuilts and will stick with the regular stiffness as I have stock springs, etc.

Everyone has helped me alot. Thanks again.
 
I would add my 2 cents worthon the advice to go with Apple Hydraulics also. Good guys, very helpful and can also supply carb. rebuilds, master, clutch and brake cylinders. I have used their services and have always been happy with both service, products and price!
 
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