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Re: Frontline Shocks

To: "Larry and Sandi Miller" <millerls@email.msn.com>, "Ulix Goettsch" <ulix@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Frontline Shocks
From: "Mike Gigante" <mikeg@vicnet.net.au>
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 16:06:01 +1100
Cc: <spridgets@Autox.Team.Net>
Reply-to: "Mike Gigante" <mikeg@vicnet.net.au>
Sender: owner-spridgets@Autox.Team.Net
Well I have the MM rear spax kit on the bugeye (redcar) and while it fits
and works
OK, the max length of the shock is a bit short in that the max droop is
probably reduced by at least 1" (i.e. the shock acts as droop limit, not the
straps). This is only an issue on the track where it would make the inside
rear lift earlier (and hence wheelspin and loss of drive on an open diff).

The angle that the shock is mounted at makes its effectiveness very
questionable. Under hard use, the car behaves like it has dead rear shocks
despite the adjustable setting being 10 out of 12. It *should* be very stiff
at this setting...

Although I ordered the 1/4 elliptic set, I got was was labelled as 1/2
elliptic.
Looking at the mounting hardware I figured that it would work as either so
I fitted it anyhow instead of sending it back cross-pacific...

I couldn't in all honesty recommend this kit as it stands. It would be much
better
with a different mounting arrangement and this is what I intend to try
before
redcar's next big outing.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Larry and Sandi Miller <millerls@email.msn.com>
To: Ulix Goettsch <ulix@u.washington.edu>
Cc: spridgets@autox.team.net <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, February 27, 1998 12:29 AM
Subject: Re: Frontline Shocks


>Ulix
>
>You are correct.  I ordered the MM set you are talking about and had to
send
>it back.  They make it sound just like the Frontline kit. The MM flyer ad
>was not well written. I tried to fit the Spax kit to the rear of the Bugeye
>and no dice.  I talked about this before but it bears repeating for the new
>members of the list, maybe someone else has tried this kit. When installed,
>with the full weight of the car plus two very large people standing in the
>cockpit and bouncing the car, the shocks were fully extended and stayed
that
>way.  The shocks seemed very short too me.  I'm still looking for a set of
>rear tubes for the Bugeye, if anyone has any positive experience to report
>with current kits I would like to hear about it.
>
>Larry Miller
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ulix Goettsch <ulix@u.washington.edu>
>To: Larry and Sandi Miller <millerls@email.msn.com>
>Cc: Agustin de la Calle <agustin@risotto.mit.edu>; spridgets@autox.team.net
><spridgets@autox.team.net>
>Date: 25 February, 1998 9:33 AM
>Subject: Re: Frontline Shocks
>
>
>>Just a few points:
>>MM now pushes a front setup that is a copy of the lower half of the
>>Frontline kit but uses the classic method of mounting the shock at the top
>>with a plate bolted on top of the shock.  In their ad, it looks like they
>>used the Frontline drawing and edited away the top part...
>>This kit is manufactured in the US and is $400 with Spax vs. $675 for the
>>Frontline.
>>
>>The JCW kits are no longer available but were similar to the Winners
>>Circle kits but with very cheap shocks.
>>
>>One difference between rear kits is the upper shock mount.  Some mount to
>>the axle strap bolt, some (the Spax kit) to a special plate that mounts to
>>the shock mounting holes.
>>
>>Ulix
>>
>>
>>
>>> Gus
>>>
>>> Just for general info, the Mini Mania kit is the Frontline kit.
>>>
>>> Larry Miller
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Agustin de la Calle <agustin@risotto.mit.edu>
>>> To: spridgets@Autox.Team.Net <spridgets@Autox.Team.Net>
>>> Date: 25 February, 1998 5:49 AM
>>> Subject: Re: Frontline Shocks
>>>
>>>
>>> >
>>> >Hi there,
>>> >
>>> >It seems that there are quite a few tube shock conversions out there,
>not
>>> >just Frontline's deal.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >Front:
>>> > Some keep the front shock, but without valves (always keep the shock
>oil)
>>> >and some replace them altogether, like MM and Frontline.
>>> >
>>> >Rear:
>>> > Here it seems all the same. The lever shock is obsolete. Are these
>>> >conversions really all the same? I have seen a kit (some time ago) sold
>by
>>> >(excuse my words) J.C.Whitney for I think under $100. Winner's Circle
>uses
>>> >the chrome Carrera shocks that (I think) are adjustable. So are the
Spax
>>> >that other people sell.
>>> >
>>> >Are there substantial differences besides the price?
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >I replaced the valving that was stiffer. That was supplied by Moss UK
>for
>>> >only a few bucks. I also use heavier  motorcycle fork oil, but I still
>>> >have that weird bouncing when going over a bump in a turn. The rear
>>> >doesn't seem to be too happy about that. I never saw a video, though.
>>> >Thats an idea...
>>> >
>>> >Near future (a year or two):
>>> >Next step will be to replace the rear leaf spring bushings with
>>> >poly-urethane bushings.
>>> >
>>> >Cheers,
>>> >
>>> >Gus
>>> >
>>> >'71 Midget
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>    Ulix                                                    __/__,__
>>.......................................................... (_o____o_)....
>>                                                           '67 Sprite
>>
>
>
>
>


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