Gaz rear shocks top stud too short ??

[jaknight]

I have purchased front and rear lowered Gaz shocks for my 1965 Mini from Mini Spares.

Installing the rear shocks, the top stud is either too short or the rubber insulators are too thick.

I do not have any thread showing on the stud in order to start the nut.

Is there a way to compress the rubber insulators or ??

Thanks for your help.

Jim Knight

[Peter Laidler]

What about leaving the gaz shock top rubbers OFF and using the original mini top rubbers or helper spring rubbers instead?

[minibitz]

There is ample stud length when using bushes and fitting supplied with Gaz shocks, I fit these for customers regularly.

I suspect your issue is that the ride height is not lowered sufficiently to allow shorter shock to fit.

If this is the case when you lift the swing arm up the rubber cone will come under tension before the shock pin passes fully through the wheel arch mounting hole.

The settling point of the swing arm when raised is determined by the length of the suspension trumpet. Shorten the trumpet and the swing arm will raise up further, allowing a shorter shock to fully engage.

I would presume you are not trying to use standard trumpets but have hi-lo's or a similar type of adjustable ride height system installed. If this is the case shortening the adjuster will allow the swing arm to lift further up allowing your shortened shocks to fit.

[1071 S]

Take the shock you haven't fitted and stick the top and bottom rubbers on the top stud... With the shock off the car it will be readily obvious whether you have a "parts" problem ..or an "installation" problem. (The old lower bush isn't still jammed in the works somewhere??)

And, if its parts, you will be able to easilly take a photo to submit to the supplier....

Cheers, Ian

[jaknight]

I shaved about 0.050" from the top rubber bush for both rear lowered Gaz shocks. I am using HILO's from Mini Spares for the trumpets.

Refurbished the top washers from the old Spax shocks, which are thinner than the flat washers supplied with Gaz shocks. Was able to get 1 to 2 threads on shock stud to show and installed the refurbished washer and nut to complete the installation.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Jim