Hi, probably a million threads which cover this but I have a picture of my mav now it is on a roll over jig, the rear shocks have pipes that go into the boot with plugs on the ends but nothing else, are these gas shocks and would they have had seperate cylinders to keep them pressurised or something? If I am right- what is the advantage?? I'm doing a FULL rebuild and am tempted to fabricate some heavier duty mounts for the rear shock with much bigger bases to spread the load, and also use adjustable shocks which I will get Gaz to make up for me over here. Have been very happy with their stuff in the past. Good plan do you think??
Those are air filled shocks. I would not use them. They can tear the mounts out at the top. The mounts are not really for supporting any weight and using a stiff shock can create problems.
Whats the advantage and why would they have been fitted before? The car doesn't show any signs of being well treated before and no other aftermarket parts except a couple of performance part stickers inside the boot lid (sorry trunk lid!)
They get used to raise the rear end height. I have them on my Jeep for towing my boat to keep the height level. The Mav shock mounts cant take the extra load though.
I happen to know what a "boot" and a "bonnet" are lol. There are several reasons why someone will add those. Maybe they wanted to use wider tires and it was rubbing on the side walls. Maybe the shackles are weak and the car was sagging in the rear. Whatever the reason, those air shocks add load to the mount and is not recommended for our cars. Just cause parts are designed for our cars does not mean it will be good every time. Sure they fit and work, but sometimes there is a price. Keep hanging out here and asking questions and searching and you will find yourself making a better decesion on how too's. There is alot of stuff I would have done differently if I had found this site before I started my project.
Thanks for the replies guys, I thought gas shocks were adjustable but didnt realise you could actually alter the ride height with them- how on earth do they do that? I thought adjustable ride height was always done on the springs as they normally determing the height with the dampers just changing softer or harder ride. What would go in the boot and how do you adjust them? I just have the ends of the pipes with nothing else
the rear springs in that pick have a helper spring on them. some body tryed to either lift the rear of the car, towed something, or tryed to correct for sagging springs. the air shock works like an air bag spring. that how it lifts the car puting added weight on the shock mounts. both the air shock and helper springs are band aids for worn out or inadiquate leaf springs. you will want to get new leaf springs for your restoration.
Ah- just remembered I found wiring for a 7 pin trailer type socket in the boot so you are probably spot on! Are the helper springs the small leaves at the very bottom? Heres a pic of the other side one which is clearer.
Hello from Canada by the way although I was born outside of Manchester in Salford. A bit of a drive from Essex.
wow, that car is rusty... my car had air shocks, too. i got rid of them as i'm afraid they will kill my shock mounts. this is the set of shock i used: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-...5010074?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories the seller will ship internationally...
Yeah yeah I know- its been in damp England for God knows how long!!! Those shocks are really cheap! How do they rate? I was going to get some custom made with adjusters on the sides but tbh probably not worth it- cant see a classic american motor like this handle well without a fair bit more work! Darren- why on earth did you want to move 4000 miles away from Manchester?!
Check out some of my pics you don't know what rusty is but it can be fixed by the right person thats willing to do it!
