Foccer font of knowledge - cage suspension

[HarryHornby]

'ello all,


Front, left shock has gone on my Fiesta.  Garage have asked if I want both sides replaced at the same time.


Do I?

[Dynspud]

One of those things that it's always best to replace as a pair IMHO, so, yes, I would change both.

[HarryHornby]

Perfect, thank you.  That was my thoughts.  Keeps everything even then when it comes to breaking etc.


Just nice to have it confirmed.

[red98]

Yep , replace both YOURSELF 


new one on one side will make the old one on the other side work harder and soon fail  , and of course will affect balance and handling big time 




to put It another way , you wouldn'd replace just one fork spring in your FAZER would you.....


or would you       














 

[midden]

I've only ever replaced one at a time without problem  and as Paul I've always done them myself.   

When I bought my spring clamps at a cost of £25  the garages wanted £25 labour per shock

[BBROWN1664]

I would disagree with Midden here. Replace both to keep damping the same on both sides. The only time I have not done this was when one failed less than 10K miles from fitting.

[midden]

I would disagree with Midden here. Replace both to keep damping the same on both sides. The only time I have not done this was when one failed less than 10K miles from fitting.

Fairplay   Horses for courses.  I'm not on the racetrack with my cars

[Northern Biker]

Yes, always replace shocks, springs, bushes, brakes etc in axle pairs. A new shock absorber or spring will work better than an old one and can upset the balance of the car and effect tyre wear ect if you just replace the one.

[HarryHornby]

Cheers guys.  I didn't think they were trying to hoodwink me on this occasion.


And no, Mr Red, I won't be doing it myself!  I'm not giving you more things to laugh at on here. 

[red98]

   Simple job HH , hardest bit getting the strut out of the lower housing , you could of done it without making us laugh   

[YamFazFan]

It's often recommended to replace headlamp bulbs in pairs Ie the un-blown one at the same time as the bulb that's failed.


Not sure how many people actually do that tho. Especially with the under bonnet lamp access being as tough as it is nowadays.

[midden]

Yes, always replace shocks, springs, bushes, brakes etc in axle pairs. A new shock absorber or spring will work better than an old one and can upset the balance of the car and effect tyre wear ect if you just replace the one.

Do you happen to change both front tyres even if only one is badly worn? 


Do you have each shock independently set up to counter weight differences of driver/passenger and other effecting loads?
 

[BBROWN1664]

Yes, always replace shocks, springs, bushes, brakes etc in axle pairs. A new shock absorber or spring will work better than an old one and can upset the balance of the car and effect tyre wear ect if you just replace the one.

Do you happen to change both front tyres even if only one is badly worn? 


Do you have each shock independently set up to counter weight differences of driver/passenger and other effecting loads?
 

I do replace tyres in pairs to mae sure I get the same level of grip on both sides.. Its unusual for me to have one fuly worn and one part worn as they both get replaced at the same time.

The problem with changing one damper or spring at a time is obvious on an alder car but less so on a lower milage one. Drive down the road at 15-20 miles an hour and take your hands off the wheel then stand on the brake pedal. With one side changed only, the steering will pull violently to one side. Change them both and the car may still pull slightly but in comparision will be straight.

Imagine now braking hard at 70 miles an hour even with your hands on the wheel, you will get pulled to one side.

[Northern Biker]

Do you happen to change both front tyres even if only one is badly worn? 


Do you have each shock independently set up to counter weight differences of driver/passenger and other effecting loads?

Speaking as a car mechanic, yes I do.
I also know you should change certain components in axle pairs