Spax rear shocks on Bugeye

[Gerard]

Anybody here have adjustable rear Spax shocks on a Bugeye?

If so how do you like them? Pluses or Minuses?

 

[bug_sixty]

Have a set in the box..slightly used.. My trials with trying to make the original better has failed. It seems the rebound never really worked like the original. The rubber rebound on the axle always saw a lot of action.

 

[Gerard]

That's what I was wondering. Were your springs pretty low?

The shocks seem quite short, but I rode in a friend's car that had them and the ride seemed pretty nice.

 

[bug_sixty]

no my springs are quite good. Original type.. with all of the leaves etc. hit a small hole and it sent shock waves to the seat below. Some people suggest cutting down the rubber rebound on the axle.. Not a good idea.. It messes with the geometery. I'm not in the know on shock science but the Works got that one right in my and other opinions..that being said, I'll sell you my shocks and mounting plates for cheap

 

[Gerard]

Thanks, but I have a brand new set already. I'm just debating on whether to use them.

 

[aeronca65t]

This is not exactly the same thing, but:

I have a set of them on the front of my car via ~A Modification~ I did years ago.
The Spax units came with a parts car (mounted) and seemed new-ish and OK, so I tried them as replacements for the low-cost Monroe 5877R units I was already using.
After two seasons, they are currently leaking and will likely return to the Monroe units which worked very well for me (or I may try the equivalent Gabriel 69689 units which are easier to find at AutoZone). These shocks are about $25 each.

I have the 5877R shocks on the back too. Lower end mounted where the levers attach to the leaf spring (but the U-bolt plate is upside-down to drop the mount). For the upper attachment, I used the strap hole and moved the upper strap attachment to a new position.

As always, your mileage may vary on stuff like this.

 

[bug_sixty]

ok but how's the ride etc? i.e. shock action? (stiff or soft)

 

[aeronca65t]

Not an issue with 909.
My main interest is lack of fading (shock overheating) during a race.
My car has 600# front springs and heavy (modified) rear leaf springs so it's stiff.
Obviously, lowered to the max practical amount with trimmed bump stops.

 

[bug_sixty]

Ok, somehow I missed the street vs racing setup. I've never had a race car.. On another discussion page we were weighing the issue of combo use... street and or race set ups. I feel they have to be kept separate for a variety of reasons.. and you...

 

[jgrewe]

That's what I was wondering. Were your springs pretty low?

The shocks seem quite short, but I rode in a friend's car that had them and the ride seemed pretty nice.

Gerard, I recently was working on installing a set I have. You mention the shocks seem short. My set came with the car in boxes of parts and I don't know if they are the correct part. With the car on my lift the shocks are easily an inch short from where the straps allow the rear to droop. Any word from your friend on how his installed? Same issue? I don't want to force the issue if I have the wrong shock.

With the angle the shocks mount, the rear looks like it needs to come up a couple inches just to get the things installed.

Mine's a 59 with stock springs, maybe this is a sign I should lower the car a little. Is it safe to lose an inch or two with the stock springs?

 

[BlueMax]

Have you thought about adjustable coil-overs?

 

[jgrewe]

I thought of building a set of Bilsteins for the car since I have some bodies that are a good length, I would just need to change the top mount style and figure out a valve stack that would work.

I have a shock dyno and plenty of parts laying around, I didn't want to get into the car that far though. Just trying to see if what I have will work for a street car.

 

[Gerard]

With the angle the shocks mount, the rear looks like it needs to come up a couple inches just to get the things installed.

My rear suspension is not on the car currently, so I can't really check, but my impression is the same as yours. The friend that had them sold pretty much everything he has a few years ago (including his house) and moved somewhere else (Sacramento, last I heard), but I have no contact info for him any longer... :frown:

I also have a new Spax setup for a semi-elliptic car. The shocks for it are longer.