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Shocking questions

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Thanks for the suggestions. A few more questions. Does anyone know the serial number for the original Armstrong blue shocks? The advancements to shocks was mentioned by a number of you. I really don't understand what makes one shock better over another, or why modern shocks are better than those produced forty years ago. Besides being adjustable, why would the KYB's or Koni's offer be any improvement over the original Armstrong blues?

Kevin
 
Bump and rebound valving. I don't know if original shocks were single or double action. Anyone know?

AFAIK, Adjustable shocks allow for changing bump and rebound settings. You can soften the bump (compression) for a softer feel (ride) and tighten the rebound to slow spring bounce back.

Shock tech. has come a long way in the last 40 years.

Jim
 
I am not a fan of kyb's.
yes you will get a good price on them but they are not in the same league as koni's. My experience with them (with a different car) has been that they are stiffer in compression but lack rebound.The point of a shock is to control the suspension movement, not overwhelm it.
I will never buy them again.
you want soft enough with good transitional response AND controlled.

Koni can supply fully adjustable if you talk to koni but i wouldn't on a purely street car, but i would on a pure race car.
(one caveat i must say is that i plan to design and build in, coil over QA1 double adjustables for my hot street-occational non serious race car, it's a money/budget thing)
Rob
 
bgbassplyr said:
AFAIK, Adjustable shocks allow for changing bump and rebound settings.
Click to expand...
If memory serves, most Koni shocks are only adjustable for rebound, not bump. Koni does offer both types, but I think the double adjustable ones are more money.

Pretty sure my Spax also only adjust rebound, tho I must admit I've not played with them much.
 
trfourtune said:
My experience with them (with a different car) has been that they are stiffer in compression but lack rebound.
Click to expand...
Which may have been intentional. There is something to be said for having the shock hold the car up (increasing ground clearance) on a rough road; which is what a stiff bounce combined with soft rebound will do.
 
bgbassplyr said:
I don't know if original shocks were single or double action. Anyone know?
Click to expand...
Sorry, missed that before. All TRs had double acting shocks, even the lever shocks (which are also adjustable, BTW).
 
konis can be supplied double adjustable, but it is a special order.
rob
 
I had a set of Koni's on the 4A for many years before a bench test showed they needed replacement. They were great, but I replaced with SPAX because they can be adjusted very quickly on the car, and I have taken advantage of this feature.

The off the shelf Koni and Spax are adjustable for rebound only. Last year when I called Koni's customer service they advised that the warranty does not cover normal wear or failure due to fluid leaks, and was surprised that the "rebuild cost" was slightly MORE that the cost of new Koni shocks....so personally I don't see any advantage to Koni's warranty and rebuild service unless you are a racer and/or want custom valving
 
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