Strut inserts/cartridges??

[ben711200]

I've just started rambling in my readers rides thread, about how I want to make my own coilovers using one of those sleeve kits welded to the strut tube.. And went on to say that if I was going to that much effort, I may as well add lowness by using a shorter insert/cartridge.

But I'll be fagged if I can find anywhere on the internet that actually lists dimensions of shock inserts.. Ideally I need to find the dimensions of a standard Volvo 240 one, and then a list of other cars to be able to pick something out similar but a couple inches shorter... Any ideas where I can find such things?

Have a much more pimp looking, and much more expensive version of what I'm aiming to achieve from www.kaplhenke.com

[Dez]

ive found most stuff to actually be about the same length, give or take an inch, and its not really worth going to all that trouble just for 1". i suppose its cos all strut suspension cars use wheels of broadly the same rolling radius, so the dimensions are all more or less the same too. one exception is toyota mr2, and is usually a good place to start, usually an couple of inches shorter than most because of the low body line.

[screech]

ill measure an e30 one for you when i get home at the end of the week, but its not short, guess its not really "Long" either though.

[bodgeit]

Great minds think alike! was going to ask the exact same question! was thinking about popping into the motor factors and picking their brains?

Matt

[cobblers]

I've got some out of a 106, I'll do a measure on them when I get out to the car

[bodieanddoyle]

^^106 and saxo inserts are the shortest I've ever seen! they fit inside 50mm tubes AFAIK and a decent pair would work well on an E30, being that they're about 4" shorter. short of getting thin non coil-over design shocs and choppping the fixings off, I can't think of much else. FWD designs are shorter as the driveshaft passes under the shock tube where most RWD apps go all the way to the hub for strength.

To the scrapyard, batman!

[cobblers]

Right, I have:
56cm total length up to the bottom of the thread on the shaft
34cm of that is the body
22cm of shaft (to bottom of thread)
shaft is 3.2cm long when compressed to the stop.
Diameter is about 4.5cm.

They look like this:

[stealthstylz]

I'm making coilover set number 2 for my car using 106 shock inserts and tubes. Not sure why I'll need 2" of suspension travel when the bumper is sat on the floor, but should be really comfortable when its wound up.

Matt

[ben711200]

Thanks for your help guys. So are they largely all the same, ahem.. girth? By which, I mean, will I be able to pick based purely on lenth and put them in my cut down strut tubes?

[ben711200]

Mar 23, 2010 9:58:25 GMT stealthstylz said:

I'm making coilover set number 2 for my car using 106 shock inserts and tubes. Not sure why I'll need 2" of suspension travel when the bumper is sat on the floor, but should be really comfortable when its wound up.

Matt

That's interesting.. I didn't think of using the tubes from another car as well. Food for thought

[ben711200]

Mar 23, 2010 6:59:30 GMT bodgeit said:

Great minds think alike! was going to ask the exact same question! was thinking about popping into the motor factors and picking their brains?

Matt

We really are going to have to meet for a pint and 'compare notes' some time soon..

EDIT: That's not a bad idea.. Don't know if they'd be prepared to find out a Volvo and a Saxo strut insert for comparative purposes. May have to wait until I next spend a reasonable amount of money with them

[rtlkyuubi]

Mar 23, 2010 8:29:06 GMT cobblers said:

Right, I have:
56cm total length up to the bottom of the thread on the shaft
34cm of that is the body
22cm of shaft (to bottom of thread)
shaft is 3.2cm long when compressed to the stop.
Diameter is about 4.5cm.

They look like this:

ooo! That information will come in real handy when I make my front struts for the micra into removeable shock inserts!

[cobblers]

Mar 23, 2010 17:52:58 GMT rtlkyuubi said:

Mar 23, 2010 8:29:06 GMT cobblers said:

Right, I have:
56cm total length up to the bottom of the thread on the shaft
34cm of that is the body
22cm of shaft (to bottom of thread)
shaft is 3.2cm long when compressed to the stop.
Diameter is about 4.5cm.

They look like this:

ooo! That information will come in real handy when I make my front struts for the micra into removeable shock inserts!

I might even have a spare pair in a month or so when I decide what I'm going to do with the front of my 106 (I've lowered it and feels like it's on the stops all the time!)

[v8ian]

We shortened a set of Struts for a capri 20 + years ago, Did by it by removing the stub from its tube, then finding another shorter tube and insert, IIRC Honda Acty van inserts fitted, but any tube that is the right dia will do the job, I think problems would be encountered if you try and shorten struts that have steering arms attached

[ben711200]

Pug 106 could be a winner!
Here are the dimensions of the standard one, posted on the Volvo OC forums for me

[JohnnySomersett]

Why don't you get the stock ones machined and re-threaded a few inches shorter?

[Colonelk]

Hmmmm by the looks of it the cavalier ones are already as short as short. (my aftermarket insert is somewhere around the 32cm mark for the body.)

Saves me a job I guess!

[ben711200]

Mar 23, 2010 19:25:53 GMT JohnnySomersett said:

Why don't you get the stock ones machined and re-threaded a few inches shorter?

For the sense of satisfaction in knowing that I've built them up out of parts myself. And I'm doing it for fun without spending the money I don't have...

Hmm, Colon, that is nice and short.. There must be some sort of database of this sort of stuff somewhere..

[needabeetle]

Not wanting to put us forward or anything, buuuuut:


I work for Spax and love this place SOOOO much I'll offer you 2 good deals. 15% discount on EVERYTHING we do, AND I'll go and measure any insert you want and get dimensions. We cover a LOT of cars, so that's quite an offer/variation there!


Hope someone takes me up on that offer - I'm manic busy atm, but would happily do something INTERESTING instead!

[Seth]

Mar 23, 2010 19:25:53 GMT JohnnySomersett said:

Why don't you get the stock ones machined and re-threaded a few inches shorter?

I don't think the strut damper rod is really the difficult bit but to have a really short strut you need a really short outer damper section too. Thinking about the Hillmans ones it would be possible to cut and rejoin (using a sleeve) the main body - I think Racer86 did this? - or if facilities exist, just chop the top end off and cut a new thread for the retainer ring at the top.

Actually I realise that the main reason for finding a short insert is that many more modern struts are designed with a replaceable insert anyway rather than being "wet" like mine are. You'd still need to chop the outer tube down to suit.

The advantage of a short insert for me would be that I could use a factory or uprated "standard" damping unit - that may be better than a shortened 40 year old Rootes design - inside an old shortened housing. Hmmm. Food for thought....