Replacement Damper

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:12 am

Car has started making clattering noise - upon inspection it appears the NSR damper is leaking (S2.)

What's involved in replacement - something a novice could do or garage work. Local mechanic, or specialist (for e.g. settings, etc.) required?

Acceptable to replace a single side, or should they be done in pairs. What about springs, OK to retain or should they also be changed?

Any advice appreciated.

Post by ed » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:26 am

I would change them both! Andy and Tom seem to think its an easy job but i dont!

- but then thats not surprising!

A full geo after it is always a must afterwards i reckon! HTH cheers Ed

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:40 am

Damper change is easy. Jack up the car, place axle stands, wheel off, bolt out top and bottom of damper (noting where all the washers are) pull out damper, replace, refit bolts with a touch of copperslip on the bit of the bolt in the damper, fit new nylock nuts, torque up to whatever the book says, wheel back on.

Should take no more than an hour or so even for a beginner.

Geo should not be necessary as the S2 dampers are fixed length and should be a straight swap.

Job's a carrot

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:07 pm

When I had a look I didn't reckon it looked too difficult, but was concerned there may be hidden dangers lurking.
Once bolts are off, does the damper simply slot in/out of the spring in situ, or does it also have to be removed.

Best place to buy? Eliseparts sell (in pairs only, so I take it this is a must?) Anyone know anywhere local (Gla) that stocks them?

Also, can anyone PM service manual.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:37 pm

Damper and spring are normally sold as one unit. You can change them separately but you'll need a spring compressor to do it. Strictly speaking you should change a pair but I doubt it'll make much difference TBH.

Post by **simon** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:07 pm

ed wrote:HTH cheers Ed

And I thought I didn't know much

The job is as easy as changing a wheel and you won't need a geo as you're replacing it with exactly the same thing.
If you can find 1 damper just go with that but probably best with a pair.

Try asking SteveB on seloc if he'll see you a pair, if he can he'll probably be slightly cheaper than Eliseparts.

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:50 pm

Damper and spring are normally sold as one unit.

Is this the case? Eliseparts specify dampers are excluding springs. If purchasing damper only, how easy to swap existing springs?

Post by **simon** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:55 pm

Since they're not adjustable, as Rich said you'll need to find someone with a spring compressor to get the springs onto the damper. Not something you can do without the right tools.

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:10 pm

OK, but going back a step or two, how are these normally supplied? Is it usual for springs and dampers to be supplied as a single unit?

It certainly sounds the easiest method of replacement, but as I mentioned, Eliseparts specifiy them without springs.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 5:36 pm

Steve Butts on SELOC is your man, PM him and see if he can get you a single spring/damper assembly.

roadboy · Post by **roadboy** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 6:46 pm

I have a rear damper in stock. They are normally supplied without springs so you do need a spring compressor.

Geo is not necessary.

GIve me a bell if you need to.

Cheers

Dan@JPS

cla5h · Post by **cla5h** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:34 pm

Thanks for advice guys.

Steve on SELOC could get the bits, but the delivery timing was looking a bit iffy for my Walshy day, so taken the Dan Jude route.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:29 pm

Pick it up an the way past!

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:59 pm

Is it okay to replace just one damper, I have a leaking one too, also the rear near-side.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 2:36 pm

Standard dampers should be interchangeable.

Obviously there will be slight differences due to wear on the older dampers, but I doubt you'll notice!