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on the hunt for really short shock absorbers

tijs Europe Posts: 180	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers tijs @tijs
	Jun 21, 2012 9:22:02 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	hoping some of you have an idea where I can find a set of 2 really short shock absorbers for the front of my trabant. I looked into peugeot, lada 1200/niva etc.. but they are all to long... preferably to bottom should be a eye mount, and the top should have thread. the extended length should be somewhere around 30cm (12") it's a trabant, so it doesn't have much weight, i'm currently looking into rear shock absorbers of mopeds en bikes... just wondering if someone here has the obvious solution that I overlooked? (my german isn't very good, so I haven't tried any german trabant forum yet) edit--- did find this... www.hotrodders.com/forum/shock-absorbers-length-163238.html are there any more company's that have a program of these things? to bad the pdf link doesn't work anymore edit2--- ok, after a little more effort, found this: www.monroe.com/assets/downloads/english/08_MountingLengthSheet.pdf errr... to much data... to little knowledge about these things.. guess i'll just have to go and sit down to read it...
	Last Edit: Jun 21, 2012 9:32:46 GMT by tijs

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popuptoaster Probably posted too much Posts: 10,001	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers popuptoaster @popuptoaster
	Jun 21, 2012 9:41:18 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Gaz will make stuff to order at good prices.
	Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.

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damien4884 Posted a lot Posts: 1,114	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers damien4884 @damien4884
	Jun 21, 2012 9:46:29 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	First off I would look at the current mounts, theres certain things you can change to make bits fit, drill mounting holes bigger run a sleeve in end of damper mount etc but being right to start with is better. Is that 30cm with the wheel off the ground on or? Looking at monroe chart #5769 has a 10mm ID eye lower mount and a 3/8 16 threaded top, 301mm long. (I'm fairly sure thats about mini rear shock sizes) Its 212mm when compressed which you'll need to check is enough movement so the bump stops hit a bit before the damper runs out of movement.
	Last Edit: Jun 21, 2012 9:54:08 GMT by damien4884 1977 datsun 810 180b estate

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tijs Europe Posts: 180	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers tijs @tijs
	Jun 21, 2012 9:59:24 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	will look into gaz! i looked into adjusting the mounting points on the car, but the bottom of the schokabsorber it mounted ontop of the leafspring, and the top mount can't be relocated any higher, as it will then hit the bonet, (there is about 1" of clearance as it is) i'll have a look at mini rear shocks, and check that monroe 5769 shock out aswell, perhaps i could just order it... thanks so far!


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Dez Club Retro Rides Member And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up. Posts: 11,790 Club RR Member Number: 34	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers Dez @dez Club Retro Rides Member 34
	Jun 21, 2012 10:02:56 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	afaik (and id love to proven wrong!) there is nothing available shorter than 8" compressed. mini rears, 'short' beetle fronts, and lada are all this length. when i asked gaz it was the shortest they could do too, as it was the shortest available shock body.
	1928 Y-block powered ford model A sedan All my other Junk

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kevfromwales Posted a lot the conrod's REALLY out the block now! Posts: 3,909	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers kevfromwales @kevfromwales
	Jun 21, 2012 10:28:16 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	I have no idea what the front of atrabbie is setup like, but could you bin the telescopic shocks, and run lever arm shocks? the ones on my ford pop only have a small amount of movement in the horizontal arm, but I'm unsure if there'd be enough room to mount them in your application - or if they'd be suitable?? love the idea of the trabbie getting dropped down though!
	Almost on the road: b11 sunny breadvan, e36 tds, 325i skidcar, nearly there: ford f250 tathauler, suzuki alto, u11 bluey not for a while: ford pop, 32 rails, not in this lifetime: ruby, '29 hillman ''unfortanatly I'm quite old and scruffy and in need of some loving. my drive shaft needs a new boot....''

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jrevillug Posted a lot Posts: 3,520	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers jrevillug @jrevillug
	Jun 21, 2012 10:38:04 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Mustang 2 front shocks are short, as are MGTF shocks. Can't recall overall dimensions though. Protech might be able to make you some diddy things.
	Caution: As the buoys marking the shoals are often out of position, mariners are cautioned to be on their guard when navigating these shores 75 Imp 72 Clan - What? An update? Never!

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popuptoaster Probably posted too much Posts: 10,001	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers popuptoaster @popuptoaster
	Jun 21, 2012 10:41:00 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	I'm looking at dropping the rear lower damper mounts on my Volvo currently as I want to lower it but keep the self leveling Nivomats on the back, maybe you could raise the top mounts on the front of yours to allow a longer damper in there?
	Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.

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damien4884 Posted a lot Posts: 1,114	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers damien4884 @damien4884
	Jun 21, 2012 10:41:24 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Quick google hit gets a poor picture. If 8 inches is too long could you move the upper mount back an inch or so and make a new mount to go below the spring with the damper body beside it? Sort of like this but spring going other way...... Looking at this picture that would gain you a couple of inches at least as long as it doesnt foul on anything around there?
	Last Edit: Jun 21, 2012 10:42:59 GMT by damien4884 1977 datsun 810 180b estate

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tijs Europe Posts: 180	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers tijs @tijs
	Jun 21, 2012 11:17:23 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	@ dez, 8" excluding room for the mounting? that would still make like 10"? at it's shorterst... hmm, not really there yet... @ kev, i could go that direction, but it would mean an awful lot of work.. it is doable... but i would need something that already exists and modify that to suit the trabi, my fabbing skills are not good enough to make something like that from scrap i am affraid.. i did find some moped thingy's and i think i also found some bike absorbers that could work.. i guess 2 bikes weigh as much as a trabi


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tijs Europe Posts: 180	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers tijs @tijs
	Jun 21, 2012 11:22:27 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	damien, you mean to have the shockabsorber sit next to the leafspring instead of ontop of it? that could work... although there would become a "rotating" power on the leafspring, and a trabi spring id mounted in the width of the car, it has 1 spring per axle... but that wouldn't be a to big a problem i guess..
	Last Edit: Jun 21, 2012 11:28:36 GMT by tijs

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composimmonite Posted a lot Posts: 4,681	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers composimmonite @composimmonite
	Jun 21, 2012 11:35:25 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Make new mounts and you will have a lot bigger choice. What about Mini front items ? Paul H
	Last Edit: Jun 21, 2012 11:36:38 GMT by composimmonite

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tijs Europe Posts: 180	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers tijs @tijs
	Jun 21, 2012 11:44:22 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	i was hoping to make it myself as easy as possible, but i think the monroe 5769 shocks that damien imperviously mentioned could be a winner... i'll have to do some more measuring... www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/Monroe/Shock_Absorber_and_Strut_Assembly/TS5769.html Collapsed Length: 8.38 in. Extended Length: 11.88 in. at about 30 dollars, they are worth a chance


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damien4884 Posted a lot Posts: 1,114	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers damien4884 @damien4884
	Jun 21, 2012 11:50:37 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Yes, if the mounting point was as far below it as it currently is above (going by picture of spring) would put it back in almost the stock location, just mounted to rear or front of spring. Theres not a lot of force involved in a damper, the only real force is the amount of effort it takes to compress and extend it, with it being that close to the outer mounting as well its not going to twist it much. The monroe shocks are 8.34" long mount to mount. But you have to allow 5/8 for the bush on threaded end so just under 9" once mounted.
	1977 datsun 810 180b estate

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ianboyd Part of things Posts: 592	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers ianboyd @ianboydsnr
	Jun 21, 2012 11:52:25 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Viva front shocks are really short! I will look at how short when I get home!


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tijs Europe Posts: 180	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers tijs @tijs
	Jun 25, 2012 7:40:01 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	any luck on measuring them?


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craig1010cc Club Retro Rides Member Posts: 2,998 Club RR Member Number: 35	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers craig1010cc @craig1010cc Club Retro Rides Member 35
	Jun 25, 2012 10:25:30 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	I'm going to protech in a bit, I'll ask them how short a mini rear they could make


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ianboyd Part of things Posts: 592	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers ianboyd @ianboydsnr
	Jun 25, 2012 11:39:07 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Jun 25, 2012 7:40:01 GMT tijs said: any luck on measuring them? I couldn't find them, not sure where I put them? why don't you use google translate and ask on the German forum!


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tijs Europe Posts: 180	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers tijs @tijs
	Jun 25, 2012 12:08:45 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	no problem, I already made an account last week, but can't seem to find anyone that ordered the -180mm spring.... mainly due to the lowerings only get TUF approved to -70mm... which in germany is a issue... I plan on running standerd tyre sizes, most "low" trabants run a stretched 175/50/13 on a 7-8" rim... these are pretty low already when a -70mm spring is fitted.. i'm going to have a look at a set of vespa p50 front shock absorbers... I understand that a trabant weight will be somewhat higher than 2 mopeds.. but hey, if it'll fit, it'll work... they are about 20cm long.. (8")
	Last Edit: Jun 25, 2012 12:10:50 GMT by tijs

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ianboyd Part of things Posts: 592	on the hunt for really short shock absorbers ianboyd @ianboydsnr
	Jun 25, 2012 12:26:55 GMT Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top
	Jun 25, 2012 12:08:45 GMT tijs said: no problem, I already made an account last week, but can't seem to find anyone that ordered the -180mm spring.... mainly due to the lowerings only get TUF approved to -70mm... which in germany is a issue... I plan on running standerd tyre sizes, most "low" trabants run a stretched 175/50/13 on a 7-8" rim... these are pretty low already when a -70mm spring is fitted.. i'm going to have a look at a set of vespa p50 front shock absorbers... I understand that a trabant weight will be somewhat higher than 2 mopeds.. but hey, if it'll fit, it'll work... they are about 20cm long.. (8") have you thought about using pit bike rear mono shock ones, they are cheap!


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