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Author: Subject: zeemeride coilovers
jon200

posted on 21/5/12 at 05:25 PM Reply With Quote
zeemeride coilovers

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

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snapper

posted on 21/5/12 at 05:38 PM Reply With Quote
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





I eat to survive
I drink to forget
I breath to pi55 my ex wife off (and now my ex partner)

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jon200

posted on 21/5/12 at 05:39 PM Reply With Quote
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?

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Marcus

posted on 21/5/12 at 05:49 PM Reply With Quote
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





Marcus


Because kits are for girls!!

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Dusty

posted on 21/5/12 at 06:02 PM Reply With Quote
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.
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jon200

posted on 21/5/12 at 08:49 PM Reply With Quote
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?

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jon200

posted on 22/5/12 at 09:56 AM Reply With Quote
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?
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Peteff

posted on 30/5/12 at 06:53 PM Reply With Quote
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.





yours, Pete

I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.

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jon200

posted on 1/6/12 at 07:06 PM Reply With Quote
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

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MikeRJ

posted on 2/6/12 at 08:57 AM Reply With Quote
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?

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jon200

posted on 5/6/12 at 07:40 PM Reply With Quote
The springs have been cut down unfortunately. Any rough ideas on spring rates if starting from scratch.
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paulf

posted on 5/6/12 at 07:51 PM Reply With Quote
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.

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phelpsa

posted on 6/6/12 at 08:56 AM Reply With Quote
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....






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jon200

posted on 6/6/12 at 06:48 PM Reply With Quote
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?

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paulf

posted on 7/6/12 at 08:34 PM Reply With Quote
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?

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jon200

posted on 11/6/12 at 05:14 PM Reply With Quote
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

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jon200

posted on 12/6/12 at 05:37 PM Reply With Quote
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

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jon200

posted on 14/6/12 at 05:20 PM Reply With Quote
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
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