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#Post#: 98061--------------------------------------------------
dampers for use with parabolics
By: CaptainSlow Date: June 19, 2015, 7:14 am
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Despite me still not having my 109 home yet (!) I'm starting my
shopping list so that I know roughly how much its all going to
cost :)
I'm currently considering the suspension - I'll definitely be
fitting parabolic springs, most likely the GB Springs ones, so
I'm now looking for advice on suitable dampers/shocks. I've read
that standard 110 rear shocks will fit a 109 on parabolics, with
rear 88s on the front, and that military 109 dampers will also
fit due to the dual height extended shackles.
My current preference is to get some Monroe yellow gas filled
dampers - 110 for the rear and 88 rears for the front... Is this
a good option? I know its been discussed before, but those
threads are several years old and I want to see if thats still
the best option. (I know to keep well clear of the ProComp
shocks lol).
Thanks as always!
#Post#: 98062--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: Arjan Date: June 19, 2015, 8:04 am
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Ask the supplier of the springs.
We have TI Console ones with Koni's.
Not cheap - but very good.
Biased - Dutch company :smilewide:
#Post#: 98063--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: DarrenH Date: June 19, 2015, 8:31 am
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i can see you are tring to rationalise the choice based on
length (increase ride height) but general consensus is standard
leaf spring dampers are not suitable
#Post#: 98065--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: AllanI Date: June 19, 2015, 8:41 am
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I've had standard shocks on the front of an 88" with paras for
several years now. They don't run out of travel and have been
perfectly satisfactory.
#Post#: 98070--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: NoelC Date: June 19, 2015, 2:02 pm
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The theory at least is multi-leaf springs are self damping due
to inter-leaf friction in one direction so only need shocks to
damp the other. Parabolics supposedly need damping in both
directions due to the lack of friction between the leaves. The
only shocks I've had on the two brands of paras on the 88 are
Procomps, the cheap ones with rubber condoms. They've been on
there must be 9 years now and despite looking pants as they're
white and rust seem to still be working ok. Can't say I have an
opinion on standard shocks with paras as I've not run them so no
experience as yet.
#Post#: 98071--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: Doug_T Date: June 19, 2015, 2:29 pm
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I've had parabolics fitted for the last 12 years, and for the
first 2 I used standard dampers, then I "upgraded" (for want of
a better word) to Procomps.
The difference was marked: Before the damper change I had a
smooth, somewhat wallowy ride, which didn't inspire much
confidence if you had to haul it round a corner in a hurry (as
the street furniture on Anderson Drive in Aberdeen was witness
to). After the change I can certainly hustle along a twisty road
with more precision, at the expense of a bouncy, jiggly and
often crashy ride.
The dampers themselves still work fine (no leaks, working
smoothly throughout the length of each stroke etc.) they are
just not very well suited to my particular vehicle (canvas
topped 109) - by contrast my father has the same setup on a 109
SW and it's far better.
Cross-country performance with each set of dampers was
identical.
#Post#: 98076--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: spitfiremk1uk Date: June 20, 2015, 6:46 am
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Dampers with valving made for coil springs would probably be
better suited for use on a parabolic spring but we are talking
about fine tuning.
The reality is a damper should be "tuned". A specific spring
rate, weight carried and unsprung weight are all contributing
factors in making an optimul choice. Manufacturers go to huge
efforts to make this tuning correct and give the best possible
ride and handling combination.
Now here is the reality. Plenty of people will sell you a
damper. No one asks what springs you are running, what weight
your car is or what is your unsprung weight. So manufacturers
make an educated guess and everyone has to live with that unless
you get adjustable/tunable shocks. The safe option for all
aftermarket shock manufacturers is to over dampen/make it too
stiff. This is the safe option for better handling but will
often give a "harsh" ride. A great example are the 12.50 shocks
from Sh.tpart. Much stiffer than the landrover OE shocks and
they do give a harsh ride, on the upside these shocks make the
car slightly better behaved and nicer handling as a result. This
is a classic example of shiny paint selling expencive gear when
a cheap shock would often be better for most people.
The compressed length and extended length are the most important
aspect of a shock design. Get this wrong and the shock becomes
the bump stop causing damage or allows so much movement your
prop shaft or brake lines rip apart with often horrible
consequences. Obviously followed by cries of "it was perfect for
x miles it only went wrong when I went off road/hit a bump/tried
something new!!!"
Above all else make sure the shock is mechanically compatible
with the rest of the suspension set up.
#Post#: 98078--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: Arjan Date: June 20, 2015, 7:59 am
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Very true.
That is why I got these Koni's - they were set up for the
springs.
However, I understand they are very serious money.. Dmmy spit
#Post#: 98143--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: marlin.45 Date: June 26, 2015, 8:27 am
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On our soft-top 109 we have 1 tonne dampers on the rear and
standard HD dampers on the front. They have been on there for 6
years over Rocky Mount parrots without any issues.
#Post#: 98145--------------------------------------------------
Re: dampers for use with parabolics
By: Doug_T Date: June 26, 2015, 8:50 am
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Further to what I said earlier, the combination of British
Springs and Procomps managed to keep this in check on the
ploughed field that is Lane 1 of the M4 south of Reading
yesterday, so they can't be all that bad if you load them up a
bit:
[URL=
HTML http://s260.photobucket.com/user/dougtyson/media/DSC_0640_zpsz2zfyd2o.jpg.html][IMG]http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii11/dougtyson/DSC_0640_zpsz2zfyd2o.jpg[/img][/URL]
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