Last WednesdayI found out a leaking front RHS damper.

You already know what comes next, don't you?

I am thinking of getting new shock absorbers all around. I have been in talks with Simon Rogers however, shelling out close to 1.8k (Nitron) wasn't in my original plans.

A friend as fitted Protechs and speaks well of them. Another friend has Nitrons fitted and speaks well of them.

I live in Portugal, as you all know, and I don't have the luxury of having the shock absorbers' builders at my door step, so I really need to take in count build quality, service intervals and potential problems.

I am yet to decide what I will be getting but, I'm trying to collect as much information about personal experiences on shock absorbers on Sevenesque cars.

How can one justify £600 to £1800? It is 3 times the price and, if servicing costs are similar then, isn't it false economy? Usually but by no means always, more expensive means better, would this be the case?

How can you confuse me more?

Car is:
Caterham Roadsport SV chassis
1.6 K-Series
Metric chassis
Wide track suspension
Red front ARB
Rear ARB setting connected but on the softest setting
Wet sump
FIA crossed braces rollbar
5-speed gearbox
130 bhp
Current front dampers have the extension hexagonal piece
Normal road tyres
13" wheels with 185/60 tyres
No trackdays
Some long touring
Blatting on B/small roads alone and with passenger
I drive in all weathers, rain isn't an issue for me
Passenger and luggage. Yes and yes. We sometimes take longer multi-day trips and I usually take the beloved wife and luggage to suit. We don't use a ReBag. I can fairly say we make do without luxuries in our SV

I brought Nitrons on the advice of Chris Wheeler (7 Workshop) and never once regretted it. Totally improved the handling and gave more confidence into turns at all speeds. Match the purchase up with corner weighing and you'll smile. Change the settings easily with the big key you get - nice piece of metalwork!

If you do buy Nitrons - you can ship them to me and I'll sort the servicing out at Nitron UK - just round the corner from me.....then I'll send them back.

Dave

On Eugene, which everyone will tell you is not a slow 7, I think Uncle Albert fitted AVO's for me.
(He'll be along to verify soon...)
What ever they are, amazing for the price!

Thank you Dave!

What I can't get over with Nitrons or more specialist oriented shocks is the cost of, initial cost + shipping + servicing over the years which I think it tends to get too high and, a bit of a faff for foreigns like me.

I also have to be a bit cost conscious.

It has to be direct replacement... I can't remember how many times I am the one either doing the job very slowly or telling local spanner wizards, how to do things and praying every entity that everything goes well

From what I could gather, apart from Bilsteins and AVO, Nitron by Meteor and the likes are valved by Simon and Protech by Procom (in this particular case).

I have to weigh all things before taking the plunge... I still have the best part of a couple of months before you lot turn up!

I've checked with Uncle Albert - I do indeed have AVOs.
Really great, and a lot more cost-effective

Thanks Steve! I have to consider all options...

1- Would these be direct fitment? And bring a fixing kit?
2- Have they adjustable collars/threaded body for height adjustment?
3- Build quality any good?
4- Will they need servicing every 2 years?
5- I would like to get springs also.

This is turning into a shopping list of some sort

admaraujo
Hi there Admaraujo regarding your suspension needs .l run AVO shock absorbers on my seven like Steve (who thinks he is a quick driver ).l find that they are good value and using the ally body with rose joints type perform well .Service costs with the AVO are very resonable (generally about £30 a shock). Getting the shocks direct from Avo will be around £150 Inc the little spacers. Springs from Faulkers start around £30 .l have run mine for over 6 years with no issues and they have to deal with my weight . (And l'm a quick driver 😉) lf you need any help send me some pics of your front and rear shock set up and l'll see if we can sort you out from over here..lnfo@7workshop.co.uk

Thank you Uncle Albert!

Will add AVO to my study.

Yes unc is a quick driver, and Eugene does keeps up .

Good luck with your search admaraujo.

frank

Thank you... just a lot to take in and confusion. A bit like tyre and oil subjects

Oh b#$%&r!

I meself am a very slow driver!!! I might need 7.5k Ohlins to keep up during your visit...

uncle albert
Email sent!

Hope you enjoy funny Portuguese English

admaraujo
I've had Protech shocks fitted on mine from it was built in 2005, I never liked the std Billies, too soft for me. I fitted Protect with much stiffer springs and I've never regretted it. The guys at Protect were extremely helpful. They hadn't supplied for a Caterham of my age / spec at the time but they were able to sort out a direct replacement in terms of length, fit etc.