BEWARE of Hervey's Spax Shocks! Washers pulled through mounting...

[kajcienski]

I was at the Long Island DeLorean Club's summer cruise today (by the way, SUPER job as usual Tom and Dave!) and began to notice a "clunking" sound coming from the front right wheel area over small bumps. It got progressively worse until it was obvious that something was very wrong. Thankfully I ran into Tom and after describing the sound and behavior, he immediately asked "did you get the Spax from Hervey?". Turns out the same thing happened to Tom. The washers that hold the rubber bushings and mount the top of the shock to the frame are EXTREMELY thin (like a stamped tin can) and can actually get pulled through the mounting and destroyed. If you drive when the shock has pulled loose, it starts to tear apart and widen the hole the shock mounts to. This happened to me unfortunately but the shock survived. Tom replaced the washers with ones that actually had some meat to them. So... TAKE PRECAUTIONS if you have installed these on your car. The washers MUST be replaced with heftier ones. I now have to get the hole welded and resized so the shock does not have any play in them from side to side. This has happened to several people and is a very real issue.

On another note, do you guys think I have any grounds to ask Hervey from re-imbursment for fixing this? I consider this a defective product and cause damage to the car frame... Let me know what you think I should do guys. I will be contacting John on Monday and at least voice my concern. Thanks!

[pezzonovante88]

I was at the Long Island DeLorean Club's summer cruise today (by the way, SUPER job as usual Tom and Dave!) and began to notice a "clunking" sound coming from the front right wheel area over small bumps. It got progressively worse until it was obvious that something was very wrong. Thankfully I ran into Tom and after describing the sound and behavior, he immediately asked "did you get the Spax from Hervey?". Turns out the same thing happened to Tom. The washers that hold the rubber bushings and mount the top of the shock to the frame are EXTREMELY thin (like a stamped tin can) and can actually get pulled through the mounting and destroyed. If you drive when the shock has pulled loose, it starts to tear apart and widen the hole the shock mounts to. This happened to me unfortunately but the shock survived. Tom replaced the washers with ones that actually had some meat to them. So... TAKE PRECAUTIONS if you have installed these on your car. The washers MUST be replaced with heftier ones. I now have to get the hole welded and resized so the shock does not have any play in them from side to side. This has happened to several people and is a very real issue.

On another note, do you guys think I have any grounds to ask Hervey from re-imbursment for fixing this? I consider this a defective product and cause damage to the car frame... Let me know what you think I should do guys. I will be contacting John on Monday and at least voice my concern. Thanks!

Wow! Yep, you should definitely let him know and work something out.

[DMC5180]

It's known issue and it happened to me too. The fix from SPAX was to install a thicker washer. I contacted the UK club (where I originally purchased my Spax) before they were available Stateside. They promptly sent me a new upper bushing set. The washers did not appear to be any thicker than what I had so I choose not to install them. I've got a set of old washers from OEM Girling shocks on mine. They are twice the thickness of the Spax supplied ones. No Issues since.

Don't hold your breath when it comes to Hervey. He'll probably tell to stick a common Hardware store flat washer between the nut and cup washer. He won't reimburse for any damage you think needs then be welded. Then he'll probably go off on a political tangent during your conversion along with talking smack about the DMCH "Cartel". He seems to live in his own little world these days. He gets new unassuming customers due to his slightly cheaper pricing and Looses just as many if not more old customers due to his poor customer service and arrogance. BTDT I won't go back unless there is no other option.

[thirdmanj]

This just happened to a friend of mine on a drive up to MA this weekend. But his were installed by DMCH less than 6 months ago.

[kajcienski]

Wow - didn't know so many people had a "shock fail"! I guess the one thing to do in good conscience is to tell Hervey to consider changing the washers. Whether he listens or not, gotta try!

[Chris 16409]

I'm sure Hervey just supplies what came with the shocks. I had those thin washers as well. On my passenger side, I believe, the washer started to cut into the bushing. I discovered it before any real damage was done. I just found some thick washers and did both sides. The least you can do is inform Hervey that the washers are too thin and make sure he tells customers not to use them. I bought mine from the UK DeLorean Club.

[kajcienski]

Do other vendors like DMC swap out the washers for heftier ones in their orders? I feel if vendors know this is an issue, it is their obligation to be sure they release the sets with the thicker washers - especially when it can cause frame damage and presents a possible safety issue. A lack of common sense really bothers me - people like me who are no experts on cars (but trying very hard to learn more) get a little freaked out when something like this happens!

[jawn101]

Wow, VERY sorry to hear this Matt. I hope you get things sorted quickly and easily and am glad the damage wasn't more serious.

[kajcienski]

Wow, VERY sorry to hear this Matt. I hope you get things sorted quickly and easily and am glad the damage wasn't more serious.

Thanks Jon. I just feel bad that so many people have had this happen!

[ramblinmike]

I just checked on Hervey's website. He no longer sells Spax.

It sounds like a Spax issue that they fixed on their end.

[DMC5180]

Do other vendors like DMC swap out the washers for heftier ones in their orders? I feel if vendors know this is an issue, it is their obligation to be sure they release the sets with the thicker washers - especially when it can cause frame damage and presents a possible safety issue. A lack of common sense really bothers me - people like me who are no experts on cars (but trying very hard to learn more) get a little freaked out when something like this happens!

Apparently the DMCH (Black) Spax production run and (Later production Yellow from Other vendors) come with Improved Washers. Since I don't have a DMCH set so I can't verify it. (I would like to see a photo comparison to see the difference though) ANYBODY?. A few of the washer failures started to crop up in the first year that these sets were offered. The Limited miles driven and varying road conditions can spread the failures out over a long time. After It was determined the failures were becoming more than random, Spax was contacted and a fix was prescribed (heavier washers) imagine that! Supposedly a Warranty (replacement kit) was made available and could be acquired by contacting your VENDOR. In my case the UK delorean club. But as I said, the replacement kit did not appear to have heavier washers. So I did my own fix. On mine the bushing hole has a slight Smilie Notch worn in it but not significant enough for me to worry about it. The shock rod also developed a thinned (Necked down) wear spot from floating. Probably .060" on one side (about .5 inch long). Since this is in an otherwise static location I don't worry about it.

The Hervey shocks are probably still be part of the earlier Production runs. He was the first vendor to sell them Stateside. It's hard to now how many sets he brought in at the beginning. He may still be selling old inventory. I can't imagine him not being aware of the issue though.

The thing that has surprised me was that I was NOT contacted about a the issue and a fix being made available. ( this is a safety Recall type issue) and all purchasers should have been contacted IMO. Not like they don't have the sales records and email contact info.

[stevedmc]

The same thing happened to me. I bought my Spax shocks from Hervey because he was the only person in the USA selling them at the time. I figured buying them from someone in the USA would make a warranty claim easier should something happen. I was very wrong.

The front washers on mine were very thing and I documented the problem on the old forum. The bushings ended up getting destroyed because of this. I ended up replacing the bushings and washers with parts from O'Reillys. Since then the problem is gone.

On another note, one of the rear knobs came off when I was attempting to dial in the lowest setting. I had an early version of the shock that had a round knob (no nubs like the newer ones) and it was really difficult to turn by hand. I put a small screw driver on it to loosen it, and before I knew it the knob flew out and the fluid was all over the place. Hervey couldn't get it repaired by anyone in the states and Spax wouldn't replace it under warranty. They claimed the knob came off due to user error. I ended up buying another shock from Hervey at a reduced cost. The whole situation sucked and I really think Spax could have handled it better.

Up until a few months ago I still thought the Spax shocks were the best value out there. Now I see Hervey is selling an adjustable KYB shock. I probably would have tried the KYB adjustable shock had it been available at the time. I'm sure KYB would be a lot easier to get replaced under warranty since they are on this side of the pond.

The only concern I would have with Hervey's KYB shock is the collar mount doesn't seem to be welded to the shock. It looks like the KYB shocks still need one of those collar things that has to be screwed on. I don't like the idea of that too much. At least the Spax shocks have a beefy (and adjustable) collar mount.

[Socal_dmc]

Same thing happened to me.....on both sides of the front. Easily fixed with a thicker washer though.

I like the adustability of the SPAX though.....just not the price.

[Domi]

Anyone has a picture to see where the problem is located exactly?
Is it here?
11687
If yes, and if its a common problem, why Spax (or vendors) does not correct it?

[Chris 16409]

Yes, that's the washer.

[Domi]

Many thanks for the good advice :thumbup2:

[DMC5180]

Real question is why don't they just use the Bushing and washer setup from the Rear Shocks? It would do the job nicely.

[kajcienski]

Real question is why don't they just use the Bushing and washer setup from the Rear Shocks? It would do the job nicely.

Do the rears use thicker washers? I never looked... Would be nice to know I just have to replace the front washers.

[DMC5180]

Yup, and larger bushings. You can see the difference in the photo that was posted.

[DMC5180]

Anyone has a picture to see where the problem is located exactly?
Is it here?
11687
If yes, and if its a common problem, why Spax (or vendors) does not correct it?

DOMI,

Out of curiosity, what is the cost of those Protech shocks? They look really expensive.

[EDIT] Ya I just checked there website. There about $1200.00 a set for the Double adjustable version pictured. $600-$700 for the Single adjustable setup.

[JIMJAM]

"The only concern I would have with Hervey's KYB shock is the collar mount doesn't seem to be welded to the shock. It looks like the KYB shocks still need one of those collar things that has to be screwed on. I don't like the idea of that too much. At least the Spax shocks have a beefy (and adjustable) collar mount. "

This was years ago but I was one of the first buyers of the SpecialT Kyb shocks and the rear collars slipped shortly after putting them on. I was told nobody was really sure how tight they should be so retighten them up yourself and try again.
Spooked I tossed them in a box and replaced them with shocks from Midstate DMC" Marty Meir. Been on there 3 years now.
Just a few months ago a front Kyb lost its fluid. Its was maybe 3 years old,installed with the original failed rear KYBs but less than 1000 miles on it. Again I called Marty and he custom makes Kyb shock/mounts to replaced it.

[stevedmc]

This was years ago but I was one of the first buyers of the SpecialT Kyb shocks and the rear collars slipped shortly after putting them on.

I wonder why he can't just weld those collars in place.

[DMC5180]

I wonder why he can't just weld those collars in place.

On a Gas Pressurized shock! I'd rethink that!

[Domi]

DOMI,

Out of curiosity, what is the cost of those Protech shocks? They look really expensive.

[EDIT] Ya I just checked there website. There about $1200.00 a set for the Double adjustable version pictured. $600-$700 for the Single adjustable setup.

Where did you find them on their website?
Is this the one: http://www.protechshocks.co.uk/
I just know about the protech because of Martin Gutoswski from England.
On the other hand, I don't think he sale them right now?

[TTait]

Let me guess - the reply goes something like this...

>>Ive sold virtually hundreds of sets of these shocks to people all over the world, and not one person has ever had a single problem with them. If you want to go by 30 year old new old stock shock absorbers from them other guys, good luck seeing how long they will last. Those guys will just rip you off.

Do you know that Joe guy from Canada? He sent me back a perfectly good steering rack that he said was no good just because he said it wasn't working right on the car. I looked at it and it was fine - there was nothing wrong with it, so there is clearly nothing serious wrong with your shocks either. I just soled that steering rack and its just fine looking.

Now (your name here) if you saw that the washer was to thin, why didn't you just fix it yourselfs? All you have to do is go get an old tire from the side yard and cut up some donut shaped...

Stop it Rowdy - we don't have any donuts...

Look (your name here), I'm a one man shop and I don't have the resources to chase down these sorts of problems. You probably didn't even follow the clearly written instructions I saw one time on the web but didn't include. If your going to just complain about problems instead of fixing them yourself, I just don't have time for that. You can send the one shock that "failed" back to me and I'll give you your money back, except for the restocking fee. You can just keep the other one.>>

The above is for "entertainment" purposes only and does not represent any reputable vendor.

[ccurzio]

You can send the one shock that "failed" back to me and I'll give you your money back

Followed by never actually getting your money back.

[Grover]

So it turns out that some of my bushings are damanged already, with the washers bent, but not pulled through. I have gone ahead an gotten bigger washers, but where have people gone to get bigger bushings? Should it be done all around or just in the front?

Any direction as to where to get better bushings for these shocks would be appreciated so that I can go ahead and order them. Thanks for the information.

[stevedmc]

Any direction as to where to get better bushings for these shocks would be appreciated so that I can go ahead and order them. Thanks for the information.

I believe I just walked into O'reilley's with my old shock and bought what fit. I believe that have an over the counter kit for fords that fit. You won't need everything in the kit.

[stevedmc]

Any kit like this should be fine: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/DOR3/31019/N0257.oap?ck=Search_N0257_-1_2314&pt=N0257&ppt=C0035

If it doesn't come with washers go to Lowes and pickup some fender washers and you should be fine.

[Chris4099]

For those that had the washers pull through, how did you originally tighten the first nut on top of the shock? Did you bottom it out at the end of threads like you are supposed to or just tighten it until the bushings started to compress? I'm wondering if they aren't tight enough it could cause play which would then allow a good jolt to pull them through??? I've had the Spax for nearly two years now and will inspect them soon to verify the washers still look good.

[DMC5180]

Where did you find them on their website?
Is this the one: http://www.protechshocks.co.uk/
I just know about the protech because of Martin Gutoswski from England.
On the other hand, I don't think he sale them right now?

This is the web page I looked at: http://www.protechshocks.co.uk/build-a-shock

Design you own configuration using the base shock models. The ends are changeable to fit you needs.

[DMC5180]

For those that had the washers pull through, how did you originally tighten the first nut on top of the shock? Did you bottom it out at the end of threads like you are supposed to or just tighten it until the bushings started to compress? I'm wondering if they aren't tight enough it could cause play which would then allow a good jolt to pull them through??? I've had the Spax for nearly two years now and will inspect them soon to verify the washers still look good.

You should not bottom out the nut. Just tight enough so the bushing expands to the edge of or slightly bigger than the washer provided.