Rear shocks from Special T

[John U]

I am about to install these REAR easy riders from John. Can someone explain to me how the pictured collar is supposed to be installed....does this thing actually tighten on there enough to hold the weight of the car? What am I missing here?

http://www.specialtauto.com/delorean-parts/images/delorean-shocks-kyb.jpg

[Bitsyncmaster]

Put it at the same distance as the stock shocks. It has held for me for almost 5 years now. When I got mine they were already installed but I tightened the clamp bolts tighter.

[DMCMW Dave]

If they are not tight enough you'll find out on the first railroad crossing.

[John U]

If they are not tight enough you'll find out on the first railroad crossing.

That is what worries me!

The collars I ordered from DMCMW don't even have a screw to tighten them on...how do they work? Magic? :confused0:

[DMCMW Dave]

That is what worries me!

The collars I ordered from DMCMW don't even have a screw to tighten them on...how do they work? Magic? :confused0:

You bought the OEM split support collars. The OEM shocks have a groove milled into the shock, and a split-ring (like a truarc but not quite) set into the groove that the split collar supports lock on to with the spring cup. It works a lot like an engine "valve keeper".

Aftermarket shocks such as the Spax or older DMCH shocks use a threaded support collar that the cup sits directly on without the split collars. This allows you to change the spring height on the shock.

The shocks you have don't use either, they are simply a friction fit of the 2-piece locking collar on the steel body of the shock. You are counting on friction (and a very slight compression deformation of the shock body) to hold them in place.

Normally with OEM shocks (on the rare occasion you replace them with more OEM shocks) you just re-use the split collars, and with Spax you don't use them at all.

You should probably just return the split collars, you can't really use them.

[sean]

If they are not tight enough you'll find out on the first railroad crossing.

I had a set not make it 1 foot :ohcrap:

[Delorean Industries]

Return the shocks as well and have Special T credit towards a pair of Spax. This is something you don't want to have an issue with. If one of those friction collars fail, you are going to have some expensive damage.

I actually turned away an install of these back in November. Not worth the liability and what if factor. I think you have a few great examples from reputable sources posted above hinting towards using a different part.
Edit: not suggesting you go to another vendor or anything either. Special T carries the adjustable spax units.

[vwdmc16]

I was sent a rear set of shocks from John when I ordered a front set, and I never received collars to use them so they have been sitting on my shelf never used. I dont trust them anyway.

[John U]

Do the spax shocks work with the original springs?

[stevedmc]

Do the spax shocks work with the original springs?

Yes

[John U]

Anyone know what car the KYB shocks were actually designed for?