Front strut failures

[4wd26]

Quite a selection, I like to keep things as spares and pre assembled complete with top hats make for a easier remote fix, couldn't imagine trying to replace a front strut that was not preassembled, these coils take some compression


One thing that I noticed is that the factory coil starts and finishes 180 degrees, the dobbinson coil finishes in the same alignment

Something maybe to also look at

Will find some installed pics a bit later

[whereswes]

Ultimate at full droop.

OJ, note the coil end location. A fair difference yours to mine. I spent sometime talking to Toyota techs about what they had found issues with. Coil end location was all they mentioned. over 100,000 klm without issue here.

Saved me a pic or 2.

OJ with CFR-95s on AR74107s, my setup is pretty much identical to wasarangies. My spring and top mount finish slightly further clockwise (further right on wasarangies pic) but only by 3mm at most.

Cheers
Wes

[old Jack]

Thanks 4wd26 for the photos., links and the reminder, yes I remember the thread and your comment about waiting until 50,000kms! 2 of my 3 didn't even make it that far!
What springs were used on the Bisteins?
Dobinson coils have 9 full turns where as factory, OME, Lovell's and Kings have 7.75 turns.

Wes, also thanks for the info.

OJ.

[Rexxo]

Took a quick pic yesterday OJ, springs are king KCFR-55 with Bilsteins. Not sure if you still needed it, hope you have a win.

[old Jack]

Took a quick pic yesterday OJ, springs are king KCFR-55 with Bilsteins. Not sure if you still needed it, hope you have a win.

Thanks Rexxo,
All photos still accepted as I have not had time to pull the car apart and do some measuring. Not sure whether to replace with Bilstein or look for a shocker with a stronger shaft, what ever happens I need to make sure the alignment is as good as I can get it.

OJ.

[bmurray2250]

Interesting issue with the Bilstein shocks. I had Bilstein installed with Dobinson coils. Zordo's suspension in Brisbane mentioned an issue that effects Triton's too. The strut must be assembled correctly and aligned. Both left and right have different alignment positions which effects the spring position and brake lines.

I am not sure if with effects bending the shaft. I can tell you the Challenger rides and drives better

[bmurray2250]

Hopefully the images are attached this time

[lukincool]

Dobinson springs and struts

i run dobindon springs and struts, was pretty happy with them. but 3 years on one rear shockie dies on the oodnadatta track (replaced under warranty).
but now i need to replace the front ones, they just soggy as shit. and back ones a not far away.
dobinson spring just fine.
was gonna get the bisteins ... gee no i do not know.

[4wd26]

http://publicgallery.stevenbowden.com/albums/Triton/IMG_3159.jpg

Struts and coils replaced after this photo- double crossing of the simpson
Struts Ultimate 120,000kms
coils dobbinson HD 188 160,000kms

not the best photo angle for what you are chasing (not a close up) but what I have on record

[4wd26]

http://www.climaxsuspension.com.au/index.php

noticed these guys state 2 different bilstien strut# depending on ride height.

more info to put into the investigation

link didn't quite work as expected- but I'm sure you will work it out

[Ent]

The bent shafts are a worry as unlikely they would bend due to spring loads alone. I am tempted to think that the shaft is too long for the bumpstops. Rather nervous on local sources as not uncommon for shocks to come from a donor vehicle and be made to fit. Also rather a disjoint between the very high price and rather poor warranty.

I would be tempted by a Koni solution as on the front a factory approved setup exists. Other brands appear to have checkered reports. My Drummond Motor Sport front has proven after 50,000kms faultless.

[old Jack]

Hi Ent,

What is the shocker piston rod diameter on the Drummond struts?

OJ.

[Kingbrown]

Hi OJ,

Another thought on the strut failures:

For the various manufacturers, do you notice any significant differences in the distance between the bottom coil seat and the top seal ?
The shorter the distance then the greater the stress at the point of bending. . .

[old Jack]

Thanks KB,

In a next day or so I plan to remove a strut and check the alignment between the lower mount bolt axis and the top mount, checking in all directions.
I will then disassemble a strut and look at the upper and lower spring seats and the end of the coil winds and the relationship between them.
I will check maximum an minimum shocker lengths that will fit ans also what happens to the position of the lower shocker mount in relation to the top mount as the lower control arm is moved within its operating range.
Also will be looking a shocker body lengths and lower spring mount positions to see if there is an opportunity for improvement.

Interesting the leaking Bilstein is still controlling the coil and I can not detect a handling difference on city roads. I am sure it would fail if I drove on corrugated roads for sometime.

4wd26, I have sent an email off to Climax to find out what the difference is between the nonLT and the LT shockers. Since the wheel travel is limited by the upper and lower bumpstops there should be no reasons to have 2 different shocker lengths! Something does not quite add up!

OJ.

OJ.

[twisted32]

OJ,
Maybe check full travel on the shock only without the spring fitted to ensure the shock is not limiting travel in either direction.