Board logo

AVO shock dilemma.....
Nickp - 7/11/11 at 05:36 PM

Just been looking at the 2nd hand AVO shocks that came with Haynes I bought. They're supposed to be 13"open 9" closed as per the book. They're all AVO adjustables and seem in good nick. One pair are steel bodied and are 14" open and 9.5" closed (10.5" with bumps). The other pair are nicer alloy bodied ones and 12" open 8.5" closed (9.5" with bumps). Can these be made to work or do I need to sell up and put the money towards the 13-9 ones? Was wondering if they could be modded by AVO (with different pistons) to get them nearer to the ideal length.

Nickp - 7/11/11 at 06:35 PM

Just done a trial fit / measure of a front bottom wishbone. With the wishbone level the distance between the mounting points is 12.25". So the short ones are definately no good as is and would need to be extended, with either a longer rod or top mount. The longer ones may be OK but may benefit from the bump stops been cut down.

Ben_Copeland - 7/11/11 at 08:00 PM

Get yourself a proper set. It'll make things much safer !

Nickp - 7/11/11 at 08:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Get yourself a proper set. It'll make things much safer !


And about £400 worse off!!

I've emailed AVO to see if these can be modified with shorter and longer piston rods to achieve the correct 13" open length. I think it'll be fine with the closed length 1/2" either side of the ideal. Will see what they come back with price wise, but may end up selling these to fund the 'proper' ones.

owelly - 7/11/11 at 08:27 PM

I'll swap them for the bodywork I've already said you can have for free...erm......

Nickp - 7/11/11 at 08:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by owelly
I'll swap them for the bodywork I've already said you can have for free...erm......


Cracking deal mate!! Was going to offer you 1st dibbs if they turn out to be no good to me. Might be a bit posh for the 'Turd' but should help with the axle tramp

Nickp - 8/11/11 at 08:07 PM

Emailed AVO last night and got a response first thing this morning!!
They can shorten the long shocks with shorter piston rods, and lengthen the short ones with extended top mounting eyes. While they're on with that they'll service all 4 too. Price? £25 per shock, £100 all in. Sounds like decent value to me

Might be a daft question, but anyone know if this type of coilover will work OK upside down? I'm guessing not otherwise everyone would do it for less unsprung weight.

MikeR - 8/11/11 at 08:39 PM

some coilovers are designed to work upside down ............ AVO's aren't one of them.

Nickp - 8/11/11 at 08:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
some coilovers are designed to work upside down ............ AVO's aren't one of them.


Ta, was just a thought. Think I'll run the lighter (and prettier) alloy ones on the front anyway.