apologies in advance, too many questions - spax shocks

[SteveH1960]

i hope you lot are patient, so many questions.

The, or the one before, PO has fitted Spax rear shocks to my 72 roadster, perceived wisdom seems to be back off and then go for 4 clicks. My problem is there is no little plastic wheel thing on the adjuster just a slotted/flat blade screw.

Before I did anything I checked the current settings, they seemed to be wound fully back, bar a smidge and turning them with a flat blade screwdriver takes several (many) turns before I get to what feels like a discernible click.

Is this right? Is it a fair few turns before you get to click one?

After that it's about 1/4 turn before I feel the next click.

I've ended up with fully back and then adding 1/2 a turn on the screw.

I'm slightly concerned that the "fully back" on my shocks is too far due to wear and if I go to where I feel the first click and add 3 or 4 I'll be on a rock hard setting.

I haven't gone beyond 8 or so "clicks" clockwise as I don't want it to stick too far on.

[Ian F]

Steve, I've had these on my BGT for several decades

As far as I can recall, the initial "clicks" are extremely faint to discerne, and get more easy to notice as you progress to stiffer settings.

For general road use I have them set up very soft. With newish leaf springs that works for me. If you have them set stiff then it can cause the back end to hop around on bumpy corners. Might be good on a track, but not ideal on a typical road.

Ian F

[SteveH1960]

Ian, thanks. I assume very soft means the screw is fully back, or close to it, this seems to be where it was set already and it feels a bit hard and hoppy. The roads round here are awful, pot holes like craters which doesn't help.

[SteveH1960]

Is there any way to post images? I think the bushes are shot and the nearside shock bolt looks too close to the exhaust, I'd appreciate someones feedback but it's a bit difficult without being able to share the photo.

Passed an MOT this month too.

[Ian F]

Steve, images can be attached using the attachments tab below the text box(only visible when you are in "reply" mode!!)

Difficult to say about the bushes, although I've never had to replace mine (except when renewing the whole shock absorber). They will get a bit cracked around the exposed edges.

The lower bolt is very close to the exhaust, I usually have to fiddle with the exhaust hangers to get it clear (one centimetre is as good as a mile though )

Ian F

[Paul Scott]

Hi Steve,
Add pictures as an attachment.
Inline - which will show straight away (must be under 3MB

Regards
Paul

[SteveH1960]

Thanks to you both, I'll try to add pics here:

[Ian F]

Those bushes look serviceable to me. Can't recall if they are yellow on my BGT, perhaps they've been painted??

Ian F

[SteveH1960]

Thanks Ian,
No idea why it decides to turn them through 90 degrees.

[SteveH1960]

Ian, probably have been painted, I think the PO painted anything that moved, or covered it in dynax S50 (found a receipt for a 750ml spray can)