Broken shock absorber do I change all?

Mr G Imp · May 25, 2020

Thought the back end was a bit bouncy! One of the shocks on the back has snapped, should I replace the lot and the springs as well? Any recommendations? I’m thinking standard/upgraded but don’t need to be adjustable or taller or anything fancy - they will just get fitted and forgotted. The vehicle is used for work, towing etc and short journeys on winding lanes.

greendefender123 · May 25, 2020

Normally you replace the shock absorbers in pairs. If the springs are OK id leave them. If your vehicle is old you could replace the lot. You can get new take off springs and shocks for under £200. If you just replace the shocks I recommend Armstrong. They're very good quality and sensibly priced. Was oem for land rover at some point.

lynall · May 25, 2020

Std shocks are cheap, they work, sometimes you cannot beat standard.
Ebay Armstrong make, 20 quid each.

tottot · May 25, 2020

For general use go with the above advice.

Gmacz · May 25, 2020

New springs will firm up the rear nicely.
The old will be nice and bedded in with a little more "give" in them, giving a better drive.

bluedog333 · May 25, 2020

Any idea how old the springs are? They’re cheap as chips too. If the springs are in good nick then just replace the pair of dampers. I had new Armstrongs on a couple of years back and the top bushes have already failed - they didn’t seem quite right to begin with to be fair. I’ve just today fitted some Britpart dampers and they seem to be a much better (snugger at the bushes) fit. They didn’t come with the nuts for the top link however (threaded pin is welded to the chassis, so perhaps the thread size may differ for different age vehicles?) So make sure you have some spare nylocs or thread loc handy.

flat · May 25, 2020

I have a armstrongs on, fitted 6 years ago and still fine, amazingly good for the money

Mr G Imp · May 26, 2020

The springs have surface rust and pitting but not sure how old they are - the vehicle is 1988 I think

dag019 · May 26, 2020

I would fit the shocks in a pair as stated above, I have Armstrong on the series and they are a very good brand for standard spec, however (and don't shoot me down) Britpart shocks are also very good and very cheap. I had a set on mine and they lasted 5 years of heavy work (about 100k miles) and that included a trip around Morocco fully loaded with spares and camping gear. I only replaced them a couple of years ago because I was doing all of the suspension, they probably still had some life left in them but they had served me well and I was preparing for another trip back to Morocco.

Mr G Imp · May 26, 2020

Thanks for the responses guys - have ordered two Armstrong ones from t bay for now and will swap them out. Would be nice to do the lot including springs but need to prioritise the jobs they are more urgent!!

Mr G Imp · May 30, 2020

that definitely needed replacement ! Thought it would be half an hour (two bolts) job but it wasn’t.

Broken shock absorber do I change all?

Mr G Imp

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greendefender123

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lynall

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tottot

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Gmacz

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bluedog333

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flat

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Mr G Imp

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dag019

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Mr G Imp

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Mr G Imp

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