Three Thousand Five - Original Dampers Need Changing?

J

JohnGlinn(Cardiff)

New Member
Hello each,
my 1968 Three Thousand Five has only covered 71,000 miles and, I guess, is still running on the original dampers. Despite passing the MOT every year, the ride appears harsh, compared to other P6 s that we have owned.
Does it seem likely that the dampers need changing to restore that lovely soft ride that is so characteristic of our cars?
Any advice would be appreciated, as at my advanced age, I would like to keep my fillings intact.
Regards, John.
 
hi john,
yes i suggest they do, they are there for a purpose and after 35+ years it should make a big difference with a set of new ones.

ianp6man
 
John.

You will find that the original springs will also be weaker than when new. We replaced the springs and shockers on a MK2 Granada 2.8i Ghia X when I worked at Ford.

The car was completely different when it was finished without any mods. All we fitted was standard equipment - as we had removed. It was thought that the job was a waste of time and money initially - not so.

Incidentally - this was some years back and that car had done relatively low mileage then. This is why we were so surprised.

Johnny.
 
Dave.

Try contacting Beverley at LEDA suspension. She is a member here and also posts on another forum that I am a member of for my ZT.

Beverley should be able to advise you very well.

Johnny. :D
 
John.

I have seen you lurking on the forum - you can acknowledge my suggestion and I wont bite!

:laugh:
 
Changing the springs worries me. My workshop manual says you have to jack the rear wheels 24 inches off the ground.
Can you undo the shocker and jack the side of the car up till the spring comes out ?
Any easy alternatives ?
Dave
 
JohnGlinn(Cardiff&District) said:
So where's the best (cheapest?) place to buy a full set of dampers? Anybody done this recently?
Regards, John.
Click to expand...
Probably the local scrapyard John.

As already stated - Beverley is your best bet.

Unfortunately, she isn't one of the 'old school' and so might not go down to well.

I'm sure you will struggle through though!
 
John, if your looking for the cheapest, I would always try my local motor factors first, partco etc, they won't have them in stock but I bet they could source them for you, last time I suggested this the guy bought them for 1/2 the price of the "classic specialists".

In support of Johnny's suggestion, Leda are a very good suspension component manufacturer, they do a lot of performance type stuff. They will be high quality but possibly not the cheapest.

Still worth a try though.

Richard
 
John
I use a set of shocks from a mob called AVO. They are adjustable, so that I can harden them up when I want to go fast, but can soften them for a comfortable ride when I am using the car everyday. They were NOT cheap Im afraid, but very good quality and have transformed the old cars handling.
Cheers
GUY :)
 
I have a lowered '73 3500 on 20-position adjustable AVO gas shocks. The springs are new heavier duty items, uprated 150%. The ride is considerably sportier than my other V8 P6, a stock '72.
I would caution against stiffening the rear shocks too much, the back end would skitter out, even break away suddenly, when pushed too hard into corners, even on fairly sticky 215/65/14 Fuldas. The standard car just wallows dramatically in comparison, quite unnerving when pushed. I've backed the shocks off to the middle position and find that the best setting.
Too stiff at the front and the thudding vibrations through the bulkhead become too loud, too soft and it dives too much under hard braking. Again, I find the middle positon best.
 
Halfords can get rear shockers for the p6 the next day,I bought some for a 2000 last year they where about £60 for the pair the make was woodhead.cheers gary.
 
limbo,
yes, I've use JR Wadhams before for service items etc and am well pleased with the service and quality of parts, although not always branded parts.
As I only want standard service items, and if I cannot find them locally, I guess I will give them a call.
Thanks for your answer.
Regards, John.
 
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