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

[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?
ProtechSpaxabove2.jpg
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

[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?
ProtechSpaxabove2.jpg
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.