Re: [DML] Rear Shocks (Long)

[wingd2@xxxx]

In a message dated 6/6/02 9:17:17 AM Central Daylight Time, jwit6@xxxx 
writes:

> Marty,
> I made it clear that these were not "MY" cross refs, but came from an AMC 
> club web site. I have the NAPA 94004 Gas Charged Deluxe installed. I 
> believe 
> they are made by Tenneco. The same company that makes the Monroe's your 
> club sells. They are dimensionally correct. They are so reasonably priced 
> that 
> next week I may install the Monroe Sensa Track units just to see the 
> difference. By Knowing a cross ref application, you can shop with almost 
> any 
> shock manufacturer to get what you want. Even fully adjustable shocks I'm 
> sure. KYB, Gabriel, Carrerra, the options are there
> 

Jim,

My first question is what the heck does an "AMC" club web site know about 
the Delorean automobile and what parts will and will not work on our cars ? I 
don't even understand your logic in suggesting we use AMC suspension parts, 
other then maybe it's another auto company that also no longer exists ?

Now if you had told me you took an original Girling shock and got all the 
dimensional information from it and then compared it to NAPA's shock specs 
and found the NAPA 94004 you are using is dimensionally the same and then 
thru back checking you found that NAPA says it also fits these different 
cars, then I would understand. Having dealt with NAPA in the past, I would 
also understand NAPA saying that the shock they supply for the full size 
Fords and Mercury is also the same shock they supply to the Corvette guys. I 
wonder how many Corvettes are actually running NAPA shocks ???

Anyway, to post to the list that you have found a shock number "whatever" 
that you have been able to make work on your car is fine, I'm all for 
modifying and upgrading our cars and you seem to be very skillful at doing 
the same and sharing this information, which is great. Where the problems 
start is when other guys on the list decide to just go to NAPA or their local 
autos parts place and they just tell the guy "Give me a set of shocks for a 
Full Sized Ford or a Corvette" or whatever they pull from the info posted on 
the mailing list and then they get them home and try and install them. The 
next thing we see on the list is "Hey, I bought these parts that were posted 
to the DML and they don't work. What do I do ?" Or I get a call that says 
"Hey, I bought these shocks that were posted to the DML, can you send me a 
set of collars to make them work ?" I then have to explain that my 
experience with shocks is that the methods used and the tolerances they are 
manufactured too vary greatly, not only from company to company but from 
shock to shock also. Because of this each set of shocks requires a different 
style or type or size of collar to make it work correctly. What this all 
means in the end is, "Sorry, that set of shocks you just bought at your local 
auto parts store actually won't just bolt on, you will have to have some 
parts custom made to make them work. And then when you get that all done and 
everything installed, we still won't know what kind of ride quality you will 
have until you take the car out and test it." All of a sudden their "cheap" 
upgrade just got expensive, and time consuming, and in the end they may still 
end up unhappy with the final results. Kinda like you suggest you may be, if 
you're now planning on trying a different set of shocks from what you just 
installed.

But, you are correct. To find shocks that "dimensionally" are correct is 
not a real problem. I have a garage full of KYB and Gabriel and Carrerra and 
other brands of shocks that are "dimensionally" correct and that I have fit 
and run on my Delorean in the past. It's just a matter of designing and 
making the adapters/collars and other parts you need to make the specific 
shock you happen to pick fit the Delorean suspension. The easy part is 
finding a shock that will physically fit in the place it has to go. The hard 
part is finding a shock with the internal dampening and rebound valveing that 
will give the ride quality you are looking for while at the same time 
maintaining control of the cars suspension.
And ride quality is a subjective thing also. What may feel great to one 
person is either way too soft or too hard or to harsh to another. And many 
things other then shocks also fit in to this equation, like springs and 
suspension bushings and ride height and alignment and even things like tires 
brands and sizes and tire pressures. Want to change the handling and ride of 
your Delorean, just go out and add or remove some air from the tires. It's 
amazing the difference it makes.

Jim, I understand and encourage "independent thought," especially when it 
comes to working on our Deloreans, no problems. And making any information 
you have about our cars and parts "public" is fine by me. My concern is that 
the information that is supplied is as correct and complete as we can make it 
for the members of the mailing list and that they understand what they are 
getting into when they consider undertaking this type of project.

Will you be in Memphis ? I'd love to sit down and talk some "shop" with 
you sometime.

Marty




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