Rear shock absorber quandry

[Sussex Pete]

When I purchased #436, I was aware that it was running lowered suspension. Looking at it now, I find that the rear shockers are Monroe Original items fitted just with lowered springs - a potential MOT failure.

The quandry is do I revert everything back to standard ride height, meaning replacing the front struts and all four springs or is there a supplier of suitable rear shocks that have the correct spring platform height or piston length for the lowered springs and thereby keep most of what I've got.

[E_T_V]

Why would the lowering springs using the original shocks fail the MOT. They shouldn't if it is done right.

[hairyone]

Should be fine my Monty turbo was running standard shockers and 2 inch moto build spring 's when I got it and it was fine for two years, but I then fitted standard spring's to make it more comfortable and because I got fed up replacing or repairing the sump every couple of months

[Sussex Pete]

Why would the lowering springs using the original shocks fail the MOT. They shouldn't if it is done right.

Should be fine my Monty turbo was running standard shockers and 2 inch moto build spring 's when I got it and it was fine for two years, but I then fitted standard spring's to make it more comfortable and because I got fed up replacing or repairing the sump every couple of months

With my rear dampers fully extended, the springs are loose between the top and bottom seats. This is the potential fail point as the MOT test on coil springs will check for "following jacking, the spring ends do not locate correctly when the vehicle is lowered into the normal running position without assistance". I suppose it will depend on the rigorousness of the tester wether it is allowed or not.

[Russ]

If it rides ok you could drill some small holes in the cap and platform and put cable ties round the spring. Motobuild used to recommend this with the two inch lowered springs

[E_T_V]

With my rear dampers fully extended, the springs are loose between the top and bottom seats. This is the potential fail point as the MOT test on coil springs will check for "following jacking, the spring ends do not locate correctly when the vehicle is lowered into the normal running position without assistance". I suppose it will depend on the rigorousness of the tester wether it is allowed or not.

So long as they do not (or cannot) fall out of the cups accidentally then they'll be perfectly fine.

If in doubt drill a hole in the spring pan and use a stout cable tie on each spring end to stop them coming out. This is perfectly MOT acceptable.

[chrisl]

Pete,

Just for information, finding original shocks / struts will be very difficult if not impossible, many people advertise struts as Turbo but in reality they are efi ones.

I forget the measurements of the turbo ones but I'm sure someone will be along soon to confirm!

C

[ian drew]

Maestro Turbos do look much better lowered, although given the choice the best compromise is 1 to 1.5 inches.
Cornering is definitely improved with 2 inch though!
Ian

[Sussex Pete]

Based on the comments above, I spoke with the tester at my local MOT testing station. His comment was that it is acceptable for the test to wire the springs to the seat. He suggested that baling wire was probably the best solution, with a couple of turns around the spring and to only do it to the top seat. So thats what I'll be doing when the suspension goes back in.