Hi, quick one about mounting coilspring dampers - My Robin Hood has a set from Gaz, which I mounted over a decade ago and can't remember exactly what I did as it was a hell of a long build !! Each one has a metal tube in an eye at the ends, where the bolt through the eye holds that tube absolutely solid so it doesn't move - Similar to mounting wishbones where the poly bush moves around the metal mounting tube, but the tube is also bolted on solid. I don't think I put any grease on the bolt or bush back then..

The problem is that I now have squeaking and groaning from my suspension, so I e-mailed Gaz and they recommended using some red rubber grease lube. I was told "Put it around the ends of the bush so it stops any friction on the brackets where the dampers are mounted & then also on the bolt that fits into the bush". This is a bit different to my understanding, have I cocked up?! Are the bolts through the damper eyes supposed to locate the tube but allow it to rotate around the bolt? Or is the bush supposed to rotate around the tube like with poly suspension?

[Edited on 1/12/23 by peter_m7uk]

Gaz voilovees come in 2 end varieties; Either rod ends or (as it sounds like yours are) metalastic bushes. On those the rubber is bonded to both the outer and inner tube. There's no movement, just flex in the bush. Bolts should be tight but only done up with the car at ride height otherwise you'll get too much twist in the bonded bush.
Lubeing the bush ends would stop any noise if it was touching the bracket; but if shouldn't touchn Lubeing the bolt only prevent corrosion. Between bolt and tube.


You're squeek is more likely from the wishbone bushes... IMO

Could be a sign that the metelastic bush is knackered, a squirt of WD40 on the bush will probably silence it but would still need replaced. They're are many websites you can order replacements once you have measured the sizes and they are very cheap, just a pest to replace without a press, although most people just use a long bolt and washers to do so. On all designs, the crush tubes should be solidly mounted by the bolt, they should never rotate. The bush should either deform or rotate about the tube.

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Originally posted by adithorp
Gaz voilovees come in 2 end varieties; Either rod ends or (as it sounds like yours are) metalastic bushes. On those the rubber is bonded to both the outer and inner tube. There's no movement, just flex in the bush. Bolts should be tight but only done up with the car at ride height otherwise you'll get too much twist in the bonded bush.
Lubeing the bush ends would stop any noise if it was touching the bracket; but if shouldn't touchn Lubeing the bolt only prevent corrosion. Between bolt and tube.


You're squeek is more likely from the wishbone bushes... IMO

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Could be a sign that the metelastic bush is knackered, a squirt of WD40 on the bush will probably silence it but would still need replaced. They're are many websites you can order replacements once you have measured the sizes and they are very cheap, just a pest to replace without a press, although most people just use a long bolt and washers to do so. On all designs, the crush tubes should be solidly mounted by the bolt, they should never rotate. The bush should either deform or rotate about the tube.

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As an afterthought, what were Gaz trying to say about greasing?

"Put it around the ends of the bush so it stops any friction on the brackets where the dampers are mounted & then also on the bolt that fits into the bush"

That sounds like it could allow the crush tube to rotate on the bolt? Surely you *want* friction on the brackets and bolts so that the crush tube is solidly mounted? Or does this allow for a tiny bit of movement?

Just to follow up on this, I had a look at the ends of my dampers to see how they're mounted and took the attached pics. I believe they are "top hat" bushes where the tube can turn within the rubber. Maybe you'd want grease between the metal tube outer surface and the rubber inner surface? Or would you expect the rubber to be bonded hard to the tube and the "eyes" on the end of a damper? I don't think that's the case.


Description


Damper Mount 2

That still looks like a mentalistic bush. if it was a top hat then the outer diameter of the bush would be the same as the metal housing. Only going from the photo they look in good shape. I'd just make sure the bolts are done up tight. WD40 will stop the squeak and let you identify which bush is the culprit.

I asked Gaz directly. They said that the inner tube is bonded to the rubber, but the rubber is not bonded to the "eye" on the end of the damper. Therefore there must be some possibility for the rubber to rotate, also I don't think it would matter so much what position you tighten up the bolt as the rubber could adjust. Thanks for the tip, Mr W, but I've read that WD40 can be bad for rubber?

My other thought is to use grease elsewhere on the units. The suspension noise sounds metallic, so I thought maybe some grease where the springs touch the seats, also where the top seat "cup" touches the damper body. It seems like there could be a few metal-on-metal points. Anyone got an opinion on that? Will it help? Or just attract dirt and dust?!

Only use silicone grease or spray on rubber components.

Mineral based lubricants will damage them.

So in the end, I decided to just lubricate everything and see what happens. I removed both rear dampers, de-rusted the fitting eyes and bolts, then greased everything and re-fitted! All noises have gone and I have my quiet suspension back Maybe there will be a bit of movement in the crush tubes, but never mind, it won't be much

[Edited on 27/12/23 by peter_m7uk]