What is the best rear coil overs?

[DaveL]

Time has come for me to replace the rear coil overs on my '03 Birkin, the stock SPAX are "dead", the adjusters are frozen and the choppy ride is killing my back. Does anyone have a suggestions on replacements? That would be smoother, yet still retain the great handling.

Dave L

[Roll a 7]

Take a look at what is ofered in the UK on the Birkin threads. Those guys push the cars the hardest and have the strongest opinions about what works for which applications.

My car is a Caterham and when I decided that it needed improvement I looked to the east over the pond. Ended up with adjustable AVO's and much different spring rates. Adjustable shocks are much better because if you don't like the way the car handles, start spinning the dials. UK sites can offer a lot of guidance on what to do. Try to get adjustables with a knob rather than a wrench because of the simplicity of adjustment.

For about $800, delivered, the shocks and springs transformed my car. Best improvement I ever made!

[sdcat]

I agree with Brad about the AVO's. I bought some for my last Caterham, and they were great. This time I put on Nitrons, and it's hard to say that they are that much better than the AVO's, and they cost about three times as much.

[JohnCh]

I replaced my AVOs with Protechs. About the same price, significantly lighter aluminum bodies (1.25 lb savings per corner), and seem to have slightly better control -- although to be fair, I'm highly susceptible to the placebo effect, so the latter could be my imagination.

-John

[GWise]

From what I've gleaned when I was in the market, guys across the pond tend to use 3 options as a "low cost" OEM replacement:

1. GAZ - cheapest, but aren't as nice as AVO's or Protech.

2. AVO and 3. Protech which seem to be comparable in both price and quality.

One thing you may consider doing if you have a live axle is fitting them with heim joints. The heim joints will allow the axle to tilt without the binding caused by the rubber bushings.

Is there a reason you're only replacing the rear? If you're changing brands of shocks, it would be prudent it'd be prudent to do all 4.

[DaveL]

Thanks, and great info. As for GWise's comment about replacing just the rear VS all 4, kinda looks like it is worth doing all 4 , are there any places to get Protech or AVO's in the US? or how long does it take to get them from the UK ? I am looking forward to 2 track days in Feb.

Dave L.

[JohnCh]

I just checked my records. I placed the order with Protech in the UK on 7/17/08 and asked them to clear anodize them which adds time to the order. The shocks arrived on 8/7/08. Nice guys and very easy to deal with from this side of the pond.

-John

[DaveL]

Up Date , i placed an oder with Protech ( in the U.K.) and received custom made and custom anodized shocks in 8 days total, in Atascadero Cal. WOW What great service and yes they are great guys to deal with. I spent the extra bucks and got the 2 way adjustable, first test drive is much better than before. But I am guessing at adjustments. Any Ideas on the adjustments for 2 way shocks, on My "live axel" Birkin would be great