The Triumph Dolomite Club - EzBoard Archive

Posted: **Wed Jan 14, 2004 9:54 pm**

Has anyone had any problem's with Spax Shock's. 
I have two shock's that are leaking oil from the Adjustment screw's. 
Rimmer's have agreed to sent them back to Spax for inspection, 
Only done 80 mile's, 
 
Damm blast and #### it

Posted: **Wed Jan 14, 2004 11:34 pm**

I've heard similar complaints before and was told Avo's are a much better proposition. Not much money in it I don't think. 
 
I've got 8 second hand ones that I will be giving away in various states of dirtiness if anyone wants them despite hearing the above post. 
 
Scott

Posted: **Wed Jan 14, 2004 11:49 pm**

Don't let them fob you off here Phil, your contract is with Rimmers (their contract is with Spax or from whoever supplied them. Precedent set by Donohue vs Stevenson 1932? can't remember fully, something about a snail in the ginger beer). Rimmers aren't doing you a favour here, irrespective of what Spax tell them about the items, you paid for items which purport to be shock absorbers and there is therefore an implied fitness for purpose. ie you are fully satisfied with what it says on the box or you get a full refund or replacement. Unless they have been subjected to damage since purchase of course. 
 
Many shops are now trying similar tactics which are just within Trading Standards Laws if you agree to allow it, usually along the lines of 28 days with the shop, thereafter sent back to manufacturer 'for assessment'. They can only do this IF YOU AGREE TO IT. I have just fallen out with Orange over a similar incident. They train the staff to repeat "their policy" to you in the hope that you will a) sucumb or b) forget all about it as they try to pass the onus back to you, In my case c) cancel the contract, vow never to do business with them again and tell everyone what a bunch of merchants they really are. 
 
Ask to speak to Mr Rimmer and suggest he personally intervenes as a damage limitation exercise so you can come back on here and tell 800+ Triumph owners what a good bloke he is to do business with. 
 
Remember, he pays to appear in magazines; the magazines ask you if you want to appear! 
 
Solidarity Brother!!

Posted: **Wed Jan 14, 2004 11:53 pm**

Scott, 
I may take you up on your offer, 
Depending how quick Rimmer's/Spax are, 
Need to turn car round to do other's job's before Stoneleigh, 
 
I Personally went for Spax because one of my old guvnor's (Spedeworth National Hot Rod Driver) Recommend them over other Make's,

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 12:19 am**

Spax leaking oil? Arent they supposed to be gas filled?? 
 
My experiences of Spax havent been good. 
 
The ones I had (pre-AVO coilovers) seemed to adjust from squidgy soft to not quite firm enough for my tastes whereas I've seen cars with very old Spax dampers firm enough to break wishbones on the hardest setting! 
 
Also they seemed to be a perfect home for those rare rodents known as suspension mice, repeatedly squeaking when under movement. 
 
Also the standard Spax bushes lasted me about 8 months normal road use. 
 
I've had Koni's - excellent quality but not adjustable on car. 
 
AVO's - Seem good despite being acquired part worn and can be fitted to any spring length or rate. 
 
I know many people are happy with Spax, but equally many people arent. 
 
Spax do make decent (and popular) dampers for generic motorsport use but as a replacement damper bespoke to a certain model the quality seems too variable to trust. Certainly thats the case with Dolomites. 
 
Knowing what I do now I wouldnt do anything other than spending just a little more and converting to 2.25" spring coil overs if you want uprated suspension. 
 
Ask for your money back any get some proper ones. 
 

<a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a>

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 12:42 am**

Shock's where collected Today, 
 
I will give Rimmer's a go they Haven't let me Down so far, 
Bearing in mind I bought them 16 month's ago. 
And I did mention the Retro Car article, 
 
I had Konis on my old Nissan Cherry Europe 
(1700 16V Quad Cam Boxer), 
Not bad but I could never get them right,

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 1:18 am**

I,ve had koni's on the front of a sprint for many years now and they still perform well, problem is availability now is very difficult. both my other sprints are running spax although they must be quite old as they are blue in colour and the new ones seem to be yellow. 
konis apparently last better but cannot be adjusted without removing from the car. 
My understanding is that gas shocks do still contain oil but the oil is pressurised by the gas to allow for a better response.

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:05 pm**

I've got the basic Spax adjustables all round mine and I love the ride and handling <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> . Springs are standard. A mechanical rebuild was completed about 6-7 years and 7000 miles ago at which time the front shocks were new and the rear were NOS. 
 
The nearside rear failed the annual p##stake but since I've been happy I've got another pair of Spax to go on. Smifters comment has me wondering if I've been dumb tho. Wouldn't be the first time I've ended up paying the fee twice when if I'd been quicker witted I could have challenged the failure there and then. 
 
Tinweevil

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 7:21 pm**

I don't know their condition but I know that they are about 14 years old. They are Yellow so God knows how old the blue ones would be! 
 
You are more than welcome to them or anyone else who wants a punt. 
 
Its the 1978 Sales of Goods Act that covers unfit goods and Alun is totally correct when he states that Rimmers are culpable. Goods are supposed to be retailed to serve the purpose in which they were designed. And as far as I know, leaking isn't a design feature intended by Spax. 
 
I would tell them that your confidence in the product has gone and you want a full refund. No doubt you will get that old pearl about only being able to give you a credit note after 30 days. But whatever their refund policy is, most large organisations will have as the last line, "This does not affect your Statutory Rights." And guess what your statutory rights are! 
 
A search on Google will give you all the people's champion websites you need. I had a massive arguement with Orange (Lo and behold, and yes they are a complete bunch of expletives) about the sales of goods act which resulted in them giving me a £400 phone FOC in exchange for my inherently faulty Nokia 9210e. I also had a big debacle with Air Jamaica over the legality of a quote that I received online that someone had accidentally priced wrong. A quote is legally binding, an estimate isn't and the bit of paper I had said, 'quote'. Saved myself 30% per ticket, a total of about 2 grand. 
 
I love a good arguement!<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"> 
 
Scott

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 7:31 pm**

Scott 
 
Are you related to Ann Robinson by any chance??<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin"> <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin">

<a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a>

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 7:41 pm**

Possibly a relation. 
 
Beard grows a bit ginger.

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 8:18 pm**

yeah but would you argue with a Shrek stuntdouble? <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/roll.gif ALT=":rollin">

Posted: **Thu Jan 15, 2004 9:32 pm**

Scott 
E-Mail me and I arange something about collecting a pair of you, 
 
Phillip.Reader@BTinternet.com 
 
So has anyone had a leaking Spax Shock, 
 
Thank's for All the advice, 
I be happy with a another pair of shock's providing it's doesn't cost me anything.

Posted: **Fri Jan 16, 2004 3:22 pm**

IIRC bilstein were generally considered to be the best shocksx at one point was is this true?

Posted: **Fri Jan 16, 2004 6:12 pm**

Yes - generally regarded as the mutts nuts if you can get them. 
 
Or course you want to go mad and spend a couple of grand on a set of Penskes' as used on most touring cars and Ferrari Enzo's amongst others

<a href="http://www.smifter1971.pwp.blueyonder.c ... >Smifter's Dolomite Sprint Website</a>

The Triumph Dolomite Club - EzBoard Archive

Spax Shock's

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Old winky face

Re: Old winky face

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Re: bilstein