Shimsteriom

Shimsteriom

Master Procrastinator
Afternoon All :)

I'm going to treat my D2 (2004) to a new set of front shocks and springs for Christmas.
I've managed to pick up a set of Monroe shock absorbers for a good price and I just need to get a set of coils to go with them. However, I'm slightly confused (not difficult!) about the colour banding.
As the attached image shows there are three possible combinations for the RHD vehicle, all much of a muchness when it comes to free length but I'm not sure why there are three choices o_O

Untitled.jpg

Can anyone explain what the differences are?

Ta muchly
 
I bought a front shock recently and the choice was different depending if the car had ACE or rear air bags or rear springs (I think).
Which length of spring you need for which option I could not say.
 
The +400mm are for winches being fitted. It may be that certain other accessories require longer springs to compensate?
Pre 2003 there was just one standard height as far as i am aware. Post 03 there were more options. I think whatever combination you can get cheapest will be fine.
Not many options in the aftermarket world for D2 front springs at standard heights.
 
Long shot, but does anyone with a 2004 D2 still have the original front coils on it or remember what the colour banding was on them? (non-Ace, bags on the rear)
I made the stoopid mistake of putting HD coils on a few years ago and the car never felt right but to date I've only got around to putting the proper bags on the back and just lived with the front end, but no more.
I'm just trying to put mine back to as close to original as I can but all these options are not helpful.
 
I've managed to pick up a set of Monroe shock absorbers for a good price
Click to expand...
All i can tell you is that Monroe shocks are a bad joke IMO, no price is good enough for them... i also bought them some time ago then removed them after short time and fitted Bilsteins cos with Monroe i felt like in a small boat on a wavy ocean... they are too soft, i dont recommend them.
 
That is the least helpful table I have seen in a while. I think the idea is that you use the top table to pick your spring length depending on how much lift you want and then use the tables below to match left and right. The springs are slightly stiffer on the drivers side, so those codes show which springs match. Middle set of tables gives LHD/RHD for standard springs and the bottom table does the same for uprated springs.
 
sierrafery said:
All i can tell you is that Monroe shocks are a bad joke IMO, no price is good enough for them... i also bought them some time ago then removed them after short time and fitted Bilsteins cos with Monroe i felt like in a small boat on a wavy ocean... they are too soft, i dont recommend them.
Click to expand...
I agree with Fery.. I also had Monroes at the front and changed them for Bilsteins. I have also changed springs to grey/purple.
Before my car was about 20mm below normal height (and one side 10mm below compared to other) and now it is about 10mm above normal height and level.
 
berg450 said:
I agree with Fery.. I also had Monroes at the front and changed them for Bilsteins. I have also changed springs to grey/purple.
Before my car was about 20mm below normal height (and one side 10mm below compared to other) and now it is about 10mm above normal height and level.
Click to expand...
So you put grey/purple on both sides?
 
berg450 said:
...my car was about 20mm below normal height (and one side 10mm below compared to other) and now it is about 10mm above normal height and level.
Click to expand...

It is more likely that the coil springs were the defective parts as shock absorbers are not designed to support the vehicle's weight.
 
NPG said:
It is more likely that the coil springs were the defective parts as shock absorbers are not designed to support the vehicle's weight.
Click to expand...
agree. height difference in my case came from the combination of springs and shocks. I made a mistake when ordering springs and ordered pre-facelift ones (KYBs). There were too soft I guess..
 
NPG said:
shock absorbers are not designed to support the vehicle's weight.
Click to expand...
They are not but in reality it seems that they partially do cos mine got a bit higher as well after i fitted Bilstein instead of Monroe(which were almost new) and i didnt change the springs then... IMO it has logic as a more ''firm'' shock will not be compressed as much as a soft one under the same load
 
sierrafery said:
They are not but in reality it seems that they partially do cos mine got a bit higher as well after i fitted Bilstein instead of Monroe(which were almost new) and i didnt change the springs then... IMO it has logic as a more ''firm'' shock will not be compressed as much as a soft one under the same load
Click to expand...

Well, in theory it shouldn't affect the height of your vehicle when at rest. The term shock absorber is a bit of a misnomer since its only job is to dampen the spring's oscillations. It is the job of the coil spring to absorb the energy produced by the dynamic loads when the car is in motion and the damper simply modulates the stored energy released by the spring. Hence, when the vehicle is at rest or the road is perfectly level, the damper's net effect is negligible compared to the downward force produced by the mass of the vehicle. That said, I am aware that some high pressure gas dampers have a tendency to raise the ride height. My opinion is that this is not a good idea as it interferes with the coil's ability to absorb shocks and can potentially alter the suspension geometry as originally designed.
 
Gas shocks do have a slight spring effect. This is obvious from the fact that they are packaged with restrainers to facilitate fitting.
Whether this is due to the gas itself being partially compressed or some manufacturers fitting springs internal to the shocker, I am unsure. Personally I think it must be down to compressed gas.I can't help feeling it would be a bit weird fitting springs inside shockers. Those who have actually gone to the trouble of stripping them down internally or who are involved in the sales and/or manufacture of them, may jump on and let us know.
 
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