Thread: Time for new rear shocks, need your advice

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This month I will be finishing my suspension / shocks. The front was completed in January and rides real good now.

But hiboy's rear end is stiff (he needs to do some yoga ).

So this month I change my leaky, tired, stiff coil overs and need to order the BESTEST adjustable coil overs on the market.

Those of you with HIboys, i would like your advice. Which brand would you recommend, what model, prices and where to order...

I think I am supposed to measure the traveling distance... Not sure how to do that, some tips welcome...

PS: Hiboy's is now all torn off, I took the hood, grill shell out and off came radiator to be fixed. While I was at it I cleaned the engine, since it was so nicely exposed... I will take some photos of my last batch of repairs done to front suspension etc... So I can finally post them here... Sorry for long delays but my film kept me VERY busy (no time to eat or sleep) for 3 weeks). THen the GNRS show... But I am back now!!

Oh and I have horrifying news for you: real drama my friends:

When I was taking out the radiator I BROKE A NAIL.



(I thought you guys would get a laugh out of this post!!)

Also: Nothing like the lovely scent of coolant in a woman's long hair (VOMIT)

Yeah, I know how it is. Had some split ends last week, didn't want to leave the house.

Here is what Speedway says:


CARRERA COIL-OVER
REAR SHOCK KIT
The finest street rod coilover shock available, featuring Carrera's patented, hyper-charging™ process. All pieces are beautifully chrome plated.
Kit consists of:


2 Carrera chrome steel adjustable shocks

2 chrome coil-over springs

polished aluminum spring mounting hardware


They also provide a rate chart, based on the weight of your rear end (actually the car's rear end) , and I think, from memory a typical deuce needs like 175 or 180 # units.

I have also seen Aldans name thrown around, and maybe some of our guys who buy coilovers regularly can offer an opinion. I have only bought two sets in my life, both from Total Performance, so I am no expert.

Here is their chart.

Don

Carrera makes very good coilover shocks, so are the Vipers from Pete and Jakes, but it isn't as simple as buying a pair off the shelf. You need to get the correct length, and the correct spring rate. To do that, you need to know the following:

- Distance between the upper and lower shock mounts at ride height. (You need to know this because the shock should be set up with about 60% of the rod showing. That allows 60% of the travel for bump and 40% for rebound.)

- Shock mounting angle, assuming they aren't vertical. (You need to know this because tilting the shocks reduces the spring rate.) If you don't have a protractor, measure the distance between the centerlines of the two shock mounts. Then hang a string with a weight from the upper shock mount and measure the horizontal distance from the lower shock mount to the string.

- Weight of the car on the rear wheels. (A typical fenderless roadster would weigh about 1450 lbs at the rear - 725 on each wheel.)

If you know this stuff, the parts desk at any of the suppliers can probably determine the correct application. So, slide under there with a tape, get dirty and let us know what the numbers are.

I think Don's pretty close on the spring rate, but it wouldn't hurt to take the measurements before you buy.

Here's the page: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/177,...quot;andb.html

Get Aldan's.

Pete & Jakes's Viper shocks are made by Aldan, and say Aldan on them when they arrive.

I get mine through Chassis Engineering.

For a roadster - 180-220lb springs on a 14" shock, depending on angle....

I've switched to QA1's. Great quality and they are rebuildable... They also match all the old Carrera numbers. I sell them at about $350 a pair, so they are competitive on price, too... IMO best shock on the market and I've pretty much tried them all.

Important note:

GUYS WHEN POSTING YOUR SUGGESTIONS MAKE SURE TO MENTION WHETHER YOU ACTUALLY HAVE USED THE SUGGESTED ITEM ON A HIBOY YOURSELF...

Just so I know whether we are comparing 'apple to apple' sorta speak... what might work great with a muscle car or fat fender coupe may not be the best choice for a Hiboy so I need to know these things...

Jack, great instructions!! THANKS - Tomorrow I'll play with Hiboy's butt a little (725 pounds per tire? He needs to go on a diet ). I'll post the measurements here...

I can't offer you a make to choose, we have different choices of manufacturers in the UK, but,If you could tell us the length of your shocks fitted at the moment it may help us hiboy roadster owners help you choose a suitable rated spring. I had 160lb 10" springs which were way too soft (needed a lot of preload)and now have 250lb which gives a firm ride but not uncomfortable ( i have to run fenders over here so choosing the right spring was crucial). It also allows for weight of passengers and luggage.
I would go for anything between 200-250lb depending on the length of shock, you can always add preload and adjust damping. Ideally they should compress down 25% with the weight of the car with fuel and driver, (not easy to work out ).I presume you don't carry passengers in the rumble seat?
Mel

GUYS WHEN POSTING YOUR SUGGESTIONS MAKE SURE TO MENTION WHETHER YOU ACTUALLY HAVE USED THE SUGGESTED ITEM ON A HIBOY YOURSELF...

Faith,

I understand your concern, since any question on this board can get some "interesting" results. However, some folks don't need to have the exact application you have in order to solve your problem. Fitting a coilover is based on the same parameters regardless of the vehicle. I'm a coupe/sedan guy, so that's why I laid out the procedure rather than picking an application that I haven't used (roadster).

As to manufacturers, I've used QA1, Carrera and Aldan. I prefer the QAs and AldanEagles because they have adjustable valving.

I suggest that you take the measurements and post them. After that, call the tech line and see what they say, then compare notes here.

My suggestion was directly for a Deuce roadster with a Wescott body.....haha

If you measure the distance between the mounting points on the rear cross member and the rear axle I can narrow it right on down for you if you like.

I've given up on coilovers.
With 3 1/2" - 4" of travel and settling in 2" not much travel left.
My 32 has coilovers and the ride leaves a lot to be desired.

You can get a better ride imho with a transverse spring and some shocks with longer travel than the coilovers as shown in the pic of my 31 on 32 rails roadster project.

Granted, it would be a lot of work for you, but swapping crossmembers etc. isn't too bad if the body is off.

Note as well, the lower shock mounts are aftermarket coilover mounts.
Gives you three heights to work with.

The chrome plated shocks are from Speedway - an excellent outfit to deal with - and made in Canada.

A similar pair of front shocks are also Canadian made and in fact were recommended by Mike Bishop who wrote the "How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod" book with Vern Tardel as the ultimate front highboy roadster shock.
(You need this book, it's pretty much the bible for AV8's and has a lot of information for us 32 folks.)

The 1" aluminum spacer you see was used to raise the body up a touch so there's a little more tire/fender clearance.
I may be able to lower it back down, but have to wait until the roadster is running to see what I can do.

40 Ford spring pack with custom main leaf fwiw.

And . . . if I ever change my mind about coilovers, with coilover mounts already installed swapping over is a 1 hour job.

Other pics of the rear axle install available if you wish.

One thing I meant to mention was that tuning the transverse leaf spring is something that can be easily done at home.
No waiting for the new coilover spring to be delivered and monetarily speaking, no extra money need be spent....

Originally Posted by HiboyGal

When I was taking out the radiator I BROKE A NAIL.

I think you found a problem. They should have used bolts to hold your radiator, not nails!

You can get a better ride imho with a transverse spring

What keeps a transverse spring setup from rock and rolling left and right, since everything rides on a single pivot point?

There's a Panhard bar in the photo in post #11 above.