S2 - Quantum zero dampers - Driveability

[AllanS2]

Yeah that'd be good to check it out, not using the car much anyway, what nights good/time?, Tue is out for me, other nights fairly flexible, after 8 would be ideal, been running to gym classes, getting bit late though?

It's okay Shug, I'll get a wee look later myself and measure them to see if they are the correct way round.

[Scuffers]

Just thinking logically here and forgive me if I am wrong. I'm just looking to understand why they might not be as smooth as expected.

The Quantum zeros don't have adjustable pre-load (as I understand it works on higher end shocks. The spring collar is wound down only to set the desired ride height; within the manufacturers spec).
All things being equal - if the ride height is set to what the manufacturer recommends and we still have a rough feeling then it must be something other than the dampers causing it. The only other moving parts are the mounts between the shock and the chassis and the wishbones and the chassis.
If they don't crash on one car but do on another then it must be something other than the damper themselves causing it? i.e. - a bush problem?

err...

pre-load is how you set ride hight?

as in the spring seat collar adjustment....

[AllanS2]

It's just occurred to me.... are you sure you fitted the dampers the correct way around, i.e. the fronts are not on the rear? It was a looong way out, may explain a couple of things.

Just to add, it didn't feel at all stiff at the rear for an elise (accept we were two up), but the way I understand the Bilsteins work nothing else at that price level will ride as well. Even the very harsh S2 LSS Bilsteins have a good primary response.

Something a bit confusing going on here, we measured the shocks up against one another, the stock bilstein shocks on the rear of mine are shorter than the front, have been since I bought the car? Spoke to Steve (guy who fitted them) and we dd put the shorther ones on the rear as we assumed this to be correct comparing them to the stock!

This is strange....

[GBOBM]

So maybe your billies weren't shot and they were just on back to front?

[AllanS2]

So maybe your billies weren't shot and they were just on back to front?

Well one, rear (or should have been the front?) was definately leaking fluid. But I thought these would not fit back to front? Anyone confirm?

Would you not notice a definate difference in rake/handling if so? looked normal level before.

[Shug]

So maybe your billies weren't shot and they were just on back to front?

Well one, rear (or should have been the front?) was definately leaking fluid. But I thought these would not fit back to front? Anyone confirm?

Would you not notice a definate difference in rake/handling if so? looked normal level before.

No, they were on right. Your ride heights were spot on and it drove fine - the dead damper was really evident in one direction, but it felt fine on the opposite direction. It would be really difficult to get this wrong (not even sure it's possible), so I'm tempted to think it's not the case - it would explain a hell of a lot though. If Woody's free to jack it up and grab a look, grab advantage of it.

Just checked the Eliseparts site and it's not clear - the image they have of a damper fitted to wishbones show the shorter set on the front suspension, although it's not clear at all. Give them an email to clarify, I'd say.

[AllanS2]

Well I'm confused,

As length wise when we had them off to change the collars, rears were definately shorter, which I did think was odd at the time but anyway they are on back to front, shorter on the rear

I'll get them changed over on Sat at the garage. What a mess this is ha

[woody]

So maybe your billies weren't shot and they were just on back to front?

Well one, rear (or should have been the front?) was definately leaking fluid. But I thought these would not fit back to front? Anyone confirm?

Would you not notice a definate difference in rake/handling if so? looked normal level before.

No, they were on right. Your ride heights were spot on and it drove fine - the dead damper was really evident in one direction, but it felt fine on the opposite direction. It would be really difficult to get this wrong (not even sure it's possible), so I'm tempted to think it's not the case - it would explain a hell of a lot though. If Woody's free to jack it up and grab a look, grab advantage of it.

Just checked the Eliseparts site and it's not clear - the image they have of a damper fitted to wishbones show the shorter set on the front suspension, although it's not clear at all. Give them an email to clarify, I'd say.

I've just dropped them an email. 8pm on is not ideal at this time of year, but could have a squint.

[AllanS2]

I emailed them earlier too, Ian replied confirming that the longer ones go on the rear, states that is standard too.

It's okay Woody, I'll leave it and get them swopped Sat, thanks anyway.

[AllanS2]

Right guys ignore previous comments regarding the stock shocks fitted being shorter at the rear. Just compared front/rears top to bottom, talking twaddle as you probably expected!

Roll on Sat to get them switched!