The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I've picked up a pair of non-adjustable Spax front dampers and now need to purchase the pair for the rear end.

These come in both non-adjustable and adjustable types and I'm looking for advise on whether to purchase the (slightly) more expensive type. My thoughts are that they may be useful for levelling the ride-height or for tuning the handling. Am I expecting too much and should I just keep it simple?

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After 37 years I've finally got my hands on a Mimosa Sprint

The best is to buy non spax for the rear, adjustable or non adjustable. Spax are of a bad quality nowadays.

Jeroen

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Classic Kabelboom Company. For all your wiring needs. http://www.classickabelboomcompany.com

Can you set them up properly? Do you have a problem with standard setup?

Should have said these are height-adjustable only, not bump/rebound foreces. Just thought they might be useful for getting the correct ride-height.

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After 37 years I've finally got my hands on a Mimosa Sprint

I sounded a note of caution because my dad inherited a set of adjustable shocks on his car and I am sure if you know what you're doing they are great. We don't know what we are doing, so it is like fiddling with one of those graphic equalisers on an old Japanese stereo. However hard you tried you could never get it to sound right and we can't quite get it to ride right.

The stock dampers and springs should give you the stock ride height, so I suppose it depends whether you want to lower it or not.

I thought all height adjustable shocks were rebound adjustable too.

Big issue is many set the shocks way too hard and make the cars terrible. Generally just a few clicks from softest position is a good place, nowhere near halfway.... My very used spax are 5 clicks in, and although fine 3 up and loaded for RBRR (the 2 others in the car were big blokes) with me and the lady wife and travelling light I need to back them off.... This is with 175lb springs.

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Clive Senior
Brighton

I fitted Gaz height/damping shocks all round to mine and it was the best thing I've done.

Another vote for Gaz here, no shox with ASP (Adjustable Spring Platform) are right straight away, you will have to approximate a first fit, readjust after a week or two's use and everything has settled, then again about 6 months down the line to refine the ride height and damping settings to suit your own driving style.

But in my opinion, it's well worth the effort!

As Clive says above, don't run (the rears especially) too hard on the damping. The Dolomite, in common with most RWD cars, works best with a stiffish front setting and a softish rear.

Steve

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'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

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Thank you - useful advice

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After 37 years I've finally got my hands on a Mimosa Sprint