340 Shock Absorbers

We have just finished the Midsummer Endurance Rally held in Norfolk and really struggled on the "whites" (ie:- rutted farm tracks !) - other cars were flying past us but our suspension really struggled and we just couldn't compete for speed on those sections for fear of damaging the car.

Does anyone know of any more suitable shock absorbers on the market (bilsteins for example) that will fit a 1989 340 ??

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Neil

[SteveP]

You should speak to classicswede (here and on www.300mania.com/forum-uk). Fronts are difficult at the moment, there's not a great deal available as yet - although keep an eye out for Koni front shocks, there were half a dozen sets on ebay.de last week. You could have stiffer/raised height front springs, but I think you'd find that if you replaced the shocks for new you'd find a big improvement. Spax adjustables are available for the rear.

[Chris_C]

I've taken both my 300 down a few whites, I have Monroe rear dampers in the back of the current one, which is lots better, but I'm going to hack up a decent sump guard before I throw it down too hard!

EDIT: For the rallies you're planning on, I'd definately go with what Steve said, the Spax should be even better still, I've been in Dai's test car!

Thanks for that info.

I'm not 100% certain as to whether or not we are allowed adjustable rears, the regs read as follows.....................

".......the suspension type and mountings shall remain the same as that fitted by the manufacturer, except that adjustable platform struts are allowed. No external reservoirs are permitted. The shock absorbers may be of any make and may be uprated from standard. The mounting method and position shall remain as specified by the manufacturer. It is prohibited to fit telescopic instead of lever arm shock absorbers and vice versa........the ride height must be set to that specified by the manufacturer for that original make and model, with a "wear and tear" tolerance of +/- 30mm allowed"

How do others read that ???

Many thanks,



Neil

[Chris_C]

I take that to mean you can change to adjustable dampers... but not convert the back of the car to dual wishbone... Just getting a mate to look up Blue Book regs for enduro's, he's been playing the game longer than me!

He said he's seen you a few times, he was at the midsummer yesterday, he's usually navving, but has a 360 to play with. I'll get my 300 down to play next year when I should have some more time and spare dosh!

That would be a great help thanks.

I'm 99% certain we can change them, but until the weekend just gone, never saw the need !!! It would be nice for confirmation by others though.

I had a steel sumpguard fabricated for mine to the same shape as the plastic one that is on there - I haven't had the time to look underneath yet, Im hoping it is still there !!!!


Neil

[Chris_C]

Excellent stuff, mind me asking where and how much for the sumo guard? I'd be a lot happier running with one!

[Nick C]

Neil,

Is that passage you quoted from the TorqBar Championship regs? It doesn't match the Blue Book section on Enduro suspension (K22.21.6)

I can't see anything in either set of rules that bans adjustable dampers though, as long as they are of the same type as the standard ones.

Cheers,

Nick

(I am the guy Chris was just referring to, and was navving the brake-less blue Ka at the weekend, I think I spoke to you at petrol and the finish)

It was a mate of mine in Bishop Auckland who owed me a favour and did it for nothing.

I will take some photos of mine tonight (if it is still there !!) and send them to you, only trouble was that he reckoned it would have cost me around £150 which is a little excessive, also it is shaped more like a wasing-up bowl rather than a "ski" shape of other guards which help "glide" over obstructions, this just tackles them "full on"


Neil

Hi Nick,

Yes it was me you were speaking to, we wondered what had happened to the KA !

Those regs are from the Welsh Endurance that we are doing in August.