zeemeride coilovers
jon200 - 21/5/12 at 05:25 PM
Hey guys,
I am trying to get the Locost trough an MOT but need to replace the two rear shocks! They are Zeemeride but thats all i know.
Basically someine has welded a blob onto both of the shock shafts and they have contacted the seals making the oil leak out 
They are rougly 320mm long (extended) but looks like the spring has been cut to get the car low enough, Probably about 1 1/2 " of freem movement
of the spring. Bodgetastic.
How do i work out what i need to buy as a replacement? Length and spring rates etc? 80lb springs? I was thinking about the DAX units at £80 each?
Any help will be much appreciated as i have not got a clue how to work it out.
Cheers
Jon
snapper - 21/5/12 at 05:38 PM
The Zemerides were used on Robin Hoods and most people put them in the skip as soon as they can, Gaz do a reasonably priced replacement but you may
need longer springs
jon200 - 21/5/12 at 05:39 PM
This maybe?
Dax Kit Car Universal Gaz Shock Absorber | eBay
Would the best way be to remove the springs etc and sit the car at the desired ride height and then measure between centres of the car mounting
points. Then find a coilover that covers this height?
Say 12" centres so an 11(closed)-13"(open) coilover?
What do you think?
Marcus - 21/5/12 at 05:49 PM
If it's a book Locost, 11" closed, 13" open is what I've fitted all round with 150lb springs at the back and 225s at the front. It
rides really nicely 
Dusty - 21/5/12 at 06:02 PM
That's exactly how its done. Jack the rear of the car up on strong points on the body, remove shocks and springs, lower the car to the design
ride height and support safely, measure from centre to centre of the shocker mounts. This gives you the ride length of the shock, call it L. You need
one unit of extension to two units of compression plus the bump stop. So you need a shocker that is L - 3 compressed by L + 1 extended. Conveniently
many come with about four inches range of movement and a one inch bump stop fitted which reduces it to three inches of movement. Gaz are good and
reasonable price.
jon200 - 21/5/12 at 08:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Marcus
If it's a book Locost, 11" closed, 13" open is what I've fitted all round with 150lb springs at the back and 225s at the front. It
rides really nicely
What engine is that with Marcus?
jon200 - 22/5/12 at 09:56 AM
So if I have 12" between centres then I need a 9-13" coilover yeah? How do I work out what length spring I'd need? I have contacted Avo
and Gaz for dimensions between the spring seats' does the spring weighting make much difference to the length?
Peteff - 30/5/12 at 06:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jon200
So if I have 12" between centres then I need a 9-13" coilover yeah? How do I work out what length spring I'd need? I have contacted Avo
and Gaz for dimensions between the spring seats' does the spring weighting make much difference to the length?
You'll have some leeway on the spring length as the bottom seat is adjustable, as long as the spring doesn't bind up on full compression you
should be alright.
jon200 - 1/6/12 at 07:06 PM
I have finally measured the coilovers at their weighted length and it's 11" so I will get some 12-9.5 avos I think I am still a little
confused as to what spring rate i will need on an English axle? Is there any info floating about as to what the zeemeride ones are?
Cheers guys
MikeRJ - 2/6/12 at 08:57 AM
You need to measure open and closed length rather than guessing from the loaded length.
The spring rate required is determined by the weight of the car, not the weight of the axle. If the spring rate on the zeemeride shocks was ok, can
you not re-use the springs?
jon200 - 5/6/12 at 07:40 PM
The springs have been cut down unfortunately. Any rough ideas on spring rates if starting from scratch.
paulf - 5/6/12 at 07:51 PM
Mine has 160 lb 8inch rears and 250lb 8 inch fronts.It is a book locost with a zetec engine and if was getting springs again I would probably go down
to 225lb at the front.
Paul
quote:
Originally posted by jon200
The springs have been cut down unfortunately. Any rough ideas on spring rates if starting from scratch.
phelpsa - 6/6/12 at 08:56 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
You need to measure open and closed length rather than guessing from the loaded length.
The spring rate required is determined by the weight of the car, not the weight of the axle. If the spring rate on the zeemeride shocks was ok, can
you not re-use the springs?
I would argue that you're better off measuring at the desired rideheight and buying dampers with the correct amount of bump and droop travel. By
the sounds of it the ones currently fitted are unlikely to be correct....
jon200 - 6/6/12 at 06:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by paulf
Mine has 160 lb 8inch rears and 250lb 8 inch fronts.It is a book locost with a zetec engine and if was getting springs again I would probably go down
to 225lb at the front.
Does the rear seem about right then?
paulf - 7/6/12 at 08:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by jon200
quote:
Originally posted by paulf
Mine has 160 lb 8inch rears and 250lb 8 inch fronts.It is a book locost with a zetec engine and if was getting springs again I would probably go down
to 225lb at the front.
The rear is slightly stiff one up but is about right with a passenger, if I went softer then it would probably hit the bump stops on occasions two
up.I did try some 180lb springs and they were much to stiff so went back to the 160s.
Paul
Does the rear seem about right then?
jon200 - 11/6/12 at 05:14 PM
I have just ordered some Avo 12" open to 8.5" closed with some 1.9" x 8" long springs. 175 rear and 275 front as i will have a
little more grunt and a slightly heavier engine. I havent ordered the front coilovers yet as i need to check the condition of them. I may just fit the
springs to the zemerides.
Thanks for the advice guys
jon200 - 12/6/12 at 05:37 PM
Wow i received these this morning, Fast service from Demon tweeks. There may be an issue, they recommended an 8" spring but unless i compress
them about 1/2" i cant get them onto the coilover. I was expecting to be able to slot the spring in and then set the preload. Any suggestions?
Jon
jon200 - 14/6/12 at 05:20 PM
Hmm turns out that i should have got 7" springs as Avo have changed the design of the coilover body so Demon Tweeks told me the wrong length! Now
i have to take the springs off, send them away and wait for a refund with a shorter set