Cones & Shoks Shelf Life

[100BUR]

How long do cones last regardless of mileage? I've seen different comments on line ranging from 5-8 years change after 10, and I've had mine for forty years...
Similar question on Shok Absorbers I've seen change them every two years regardless

[woodypup59]

New cones seem to start too high, and sag quickly, say within a few years.

OEM cones from the 60s are probably stiffer than when new, but don't sag so much IMO.

[MiNiKiN]

Cone shelf life very much depends where the shelf stands

Have the rubbers been kept in a packaging or at least wrapped - i.e. have they been subject to UV-radiation and free air circulation (both bad) or were they protected in a cool and dry place (good) - the latter will massively prolong shelf life.

[100BUR]

Thanks for the replies
The cones have now been on the car for six years and were stored in the original delivery box in the garage for a couple of years.
I'm assuming they have gone hard over time the ride height has not dropped but the ride has become very harsh...the wife doesn't want to go out again until I do something...
The shoks are the same

[mk1]

I have never changed a non leaking shocker in my life, I am a great believer in the old adage, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

As far as rubber doughnuts are concerned. I have two cars that are running their original ones from the early 60's and they are still perfectly acceptable. In recent years I have been using the Minispares Evo doughnuts and these have proved to be pretty good all round. I have heard & seen horror stories about many other ones.

There may be an opportunity for some members to take part in a test of doughnuts in the coming weeks, but I'll say more as & when this crops up.

M

[Andrew1967]

Agree with Mark .. my 60 is still running its original cones, sits perfectly and the ride is certainly acceptable. Had to fit hi-lo’s to my other dry car to lower it down after fitting new ‘Rover’ cones in 2005 but only had to raise a small amount since to allow for settling. Some of the aftermarket ones I’ve seen compress terribly .

Same with the shocks .. only replace when they leak and therefore have free play. To change every so often regardless sounds like a sales ploy by the likes these fast fit places …

[Polarsilver]

if i take off a Shock off & it no longer has any pre- load say during a car restoration .. i wire the Shocker part closed to keep a load on .. never been an issue when it comes to re-use ..
Probably the issue is the Pot Holes & the terrible Road Surfaces we now experience in England .. have a trip into West Wales & see the difference where they know how to maintain & re-surface their Roads ... Drive back into England where there is a need to constantly drive around Pot Holes.

[Catmint]

There may be an opportunity for some members to take part in a test of doughnuts in the coming weeks

Sounds like the Homer Simpson Apprieciation Society

[100BUR]

The cones I have fitted are the Smooth a Ride from MiniSport, agree that roads are rubbish and after driving my every day car it takes a little adapting too.
There's a particular stretch of road we're the car felt particular smooth on and also near by dual carriage way.
But with out doubt it does feel a lot more harsh on these same roads

[Tim]

Interesting. I fitted smooth a rides to my Moke about 20 years ago. They were fantastic at first, but gradually got worse. They are badly sagged now and need replacing. It feels like the rears are down to the bump stops.

Tim

[mab01uk]

This recent thread below on rubber cones is also worth a read if you missed it.

Suspension Cone Recommendations:-
http://mk1-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=36651

[100BUR]

Following on from my initial post,I've now fitted MiniSpares Evo cones to the front of my car replacing the original smooth a ride cones . While still leaving the smooth a ride cones on the rear.

I would say there is an improvement in the ride quality and the car definitely feels less bouncy, the other big Improvement I can feel driving the car feels a lot more responsive.
The smooth a ride cones I removed from the front had not sagged or were miss shaped and the rubber looked fine.
Cheers