Steve-B Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 I am about to start our winter refresh on car as I've SORN'd it this winter. Our 11 year old dampers need to be replaced, and I'm stuck looking at the Bilsteins which ones they are. As I'll have the car up on stands for a few weeks, I'm working out a list of jobs before ordering parts (free shipping this month).. 1) Our SV, with a VHPD engine was from Caterham new in 2001, so I *think* it is a Metric chassis, but as it was made by Arch am I correct? 2) Front Dampers I believe I need to order are These -- correct? 3) Rear Dampers I believe I need to order are These -- correct? 4) As I'm doing all corners, should I consider: * Progressive 30% Uprated rear springs? * Replacing the rear rubber bushings? * Replacing Universal Joint? * Repacking wheel bearings Look forward to your feedback Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 On my 2002 SV, I changed the front springs from the standard 150lb to 250lb. They help keep the sump off the ground in high speed dips, and also smooth out bumps nicely. Thanks to Dave Jackson for that top tip several years ago I have standard Bilstein dampers. Last year I changed to updated front hubs - much nicer than the nasty little bearings and felt seals in the originals. Edited by - Stationary M25 Traveller on 14 Jan 2012 09:44:55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-B Posted January 14, 2012 Author Share Posted January 14, 2012 Hiya, Where did you source the springs from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Wilson Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Steve: you can get springs direct from Faulkners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Got mine from Gary May at Freestyle when he was still in business. As above you can buy them on line from Faulkners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Wilson Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 ... and Gary got his from Faulkners Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Steve, your car is an arch chassis with imperial fixings. Call Darren in parts on Monday and talk through what you want. Much better than guessing from the parts website if you're not sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackb_ms Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 There is a bewildering amount of spring on that website Any ideas on what the free lenhght and the ID are for springs? Cheers Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Safest to take them off the car and measure ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Wilson Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Depends entirely on what dampers you have on your car. I think the stock Bilstein fronts are 1.9" ID but I know the rears [on my car] were 2.25". Caterham supplied Motorsport Bilsteins will probably be 2.25". Most aftermarket monotube dampers advertising a ~40mm dia. piston will be 2.25" - although I've slipped 2.00" on the front of my car. We supply 2.25" as standard with our shocks but Freestyle inboard suspension will require 1.9" ID (and smaller body dampers) if you're not to foul the chassis ... the only sure method is to measure what you currently have. Much the same story with free length ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurence Wilson Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Mav Peardrop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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