RE: Should I change the rear shocks?

["Ian J Haseltine" <Jim_Haseltine@msn.com>]

>1. Does lower springs usually comes with special (lower?) shocks?
Depends on the qualtity of the kit, good ones do, others dont.

>2. When I will change springs to normal high should I also change
>shocks to normal?
>3. What can happen if I will not change shocks? It will saves my money
>especially taking into account that old shocks are OK.
If the shocks have a shorter piston rod, the car will not sit any higher.
Changing depends on how worn the shocks are. During use a shock develops a  
pattern of wear, often with a step on the piston rod at each end of its normal 
travel. Changing the ride height means that the path of travel changes and the 
step can then be some way along the cycle, this can cause unpredicable 
damping.
When I worked for Monroe I spoke to an engineer in the aftermarket dept on 
this subject. His reply was along the lines of 'Always change the shocks if 
you replace the springs'. But as his job relied on selling shocks he would say 
that wouldnt he.
In the UK shorter shocks are recommended if you fit lower springs. In the 
annual MOT inspection the car is lifted and the spring/shocks are checked - if 
a spring leaves the spring seat the car fails. Because of this, some lowered 
cars have the springs tie wraped to the spring seats, Rover SD1s had spring 
retaining clips that bolted to the spring seats on the rear axle to stop the 
rear springs being dislodged if you had to change a flat tyre, I bought some 
extra,  fitted them to the front struts and had no problems with a ride height 
2inch lower than standard.



Jim Haseltine
88 Ur quattro