whats the difference between shocks and springs on different models

Paulontour · 4th August 2009, 18:56

I have just took the car in to have the top strut bearings replaced. When the mechanic released the spring the plunger dropped into the shock and would not release and confirmed the shock was scrap. He replaced both front shocks complete with springs from a scrapped rover tourer. He assured me that the parts where the correct ones for my car. The ride now is what you would expect from a rover with no knocking from the strut bearing. However the ride height is too low and it now bottoms out on nearly every speed bump in town. The difference in height measured from the ground to the silver strip just above the sills is 2 inches lower at the front that at the back.
Do you think the mechanic fitted shocks from another variant which is not correct for my car, and what is the difference between the shocks and spring for all the variants listed, and do you think replacing with new springs will raise height sufficiently to miss the speed bumps and put the car back to the correct ride height.
The garage i used was once a MG Rover franchised dealer and is now trading as a MG Rover specialist and who would`nt believe him when he said they were the right parts. But somethings not right.
Your thoughts please gentlemen
Paul.

T-Cut · 4th August 2009, 19:08

Something's not right I fear. I don't think second hand springs is a good idea unless you know exactly what their history is. How many miles had they covered? etc.
For sure, each model and engine setup appears to have its own shocker/springs combination. These are given numeric codes as well as colour codings. The codes for your car are on a sticker under the rear seat cushion. The springs themselves have a coloured band, though this may disappear with wear and tear.

TC

Paulontour · 4th August 2009, 19:41

Yes I am aware that each model has its own shocker/spring combination but when a trained MG Rover technician tells me that he has a pair that match my car who am i to argue. He said the scrapped car was identical to mine with half the milege of mine.
Whats the difference with the springs with the red paint and the springs with lets say blue paint ( I am guessing the colours) are they longer or do they take more pressure to compress. I am assuming the springs he fitted are incorrect or have done more miles than he said and have compressed with wear. Either way i think he was a little light with the truth
Paul

GreyGhost · 4th August 2009, 20:28

Ground clearance is 6.1" 155mm on all models. Consequently there are a variety of spring and damper combinations to achieve this. Plus the extra stiff sport suspension on the early ZT and whatever the V8's use.
I seem to recall a post on here with the spring details, I'll have a bash at finding it. Don't hold your breath.

Paulontour · 4th August 2009, 20:38

So are the shocks pretty much the same on all models (excluding V8) and it is the spring that sets the ride height, and the colour coding offers different characteristics, ie compression rate or height.

GreyGhost · 4th August 2009, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulontour

So are the shocks pretty much the same on all models (excluding V8) and it is the spring that sets the ride height, and the colour coding offers different characteristics, ie compression rate or height.

Sorry too technical for me, all I could find is a sample sheet of the label found under the rear seat cushion.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/down...gs_dampers.pdf

Paulontour · 4th August 2009, 21:10

Yes came across that earlier but unfortunatly it does not explain the difference in the colours on the spring. They must offer a difference to some degree or whats the point of the colours.
Sorry for the digging but I am trying to understand why my ride height is low or would it just be worn springs that refuse to return to their normal length, and accept that I was shafted by a MG Rover specialist

Greeners · 4th August 2009, 21:14

As long as the car they came from was the same body style and engine type, then they should be the same.

The easiest way to check is to go back to the garage and check the plates from both cars...

GreyGhost · 4th August 2009, 21:17

I'm sure one of the technical bods will be along, in the meant time I suggest you PM Stu forum name Xpar02 he is definitely a tech bod, at Desford.

Paulontour · 4th August 2009, 21:26

Thanks GG I will get in touch with Stu and point him in the direction of this thread. It will save me going through this again.
Paul

4th August 2009, 18:56	#1
Paulontour Avid contributor MGZT 190 and MGF VVC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nuneaton Posts: 214 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts	whats the difference between shocks and springs on different models I have just took the car in to have the top strut bearings replaced. When the mechanic released the spring the plunger dropped into the shock and would not release and confirmed the shock was scrap. He replaced both front shocks complete with springs from a scrapped rover tourer. He assured me that the parts where the correct ones for my car. The ride now is what you would expect from a rover with no knocking from the strut bearing. However the ride height is too low and it now bottoms out on nearly every speed bump in town. The difference in height measured from the ground to the silver strip just above the sills is 2 inches lower at the front that at the back. Do you think the mechanic fitted shocks from another variant which is not correct for my car, and what is the difference between the shocks and spring for all the variants listed, and do you think replacing with new springs will raise height sufficiently to miss the speed bumps and put the car back to the correct ride height. The garage i used was once a MG Rover franchised dealer and is now trading as a MG Rover specialist and who would`nt believe him when he said they were the right parts. But somethings not right. Your thoughts please gentlemen Paul.

4th August 2009, 20:28	#4
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	Ground clearance is 6.1" 155mm on all models. Consequently there are a variety of spring and damper combinations to achieve this. Plus the extra stiff sport suspension on the early ZT and whatever the V8's use. I seem to recall a post on here with the spring details, I'll have a bash at finding it. Don't hold your breath. Last edited by GreyGhost; 4th August 2009 at 20:36..

4th August 2009, 21:14	#8
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	As long as the car they came from was the same body style and engine type, then they should be the same. The easiest way to check is to go back to the garage and check the plates from both cars... __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

4th August 2009, 19:08	#2
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	Something's not right I fear. I don't think second hand springs is a good idea unless you know exactly what their history is. How many miles had they covered? etc. For sure, each model and engine setup appears to have its own shocker/springs combination. These are given numeric codes as well as colour codings. The codes for your car are on a sticker under the rear seat cushion. The springs themselves have a coloured band, though this may disappear with wear and tear. TC

4th August 2009, 19:41	#3
Paulontour Avid contributor MGZT 190 and MGF VVC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nuneaton Posts: 214 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts	Yes I am aware that each model has its own shocker/spring combination but when a trained MG Rover technician tells me that he has a pair that match my car who am i to argue. He said the scrapped car was identical to mine with half the milege of mine. Whats the difference with the springs with the red paint and the springs with lets say blue paint ( I am guessing the colours) are they longer or do they take more pressure to compress. I am assuming the springs he fitted are incorrect or have done more miles than he said and have compressed with wear. Either way i think he was a little light with the truth Paul

4th August 2009, 20:38	#5
Paulontour Avid contributor MGZT 190 and MGF VVC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nuneaton Posts: 214 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts	So are the shocks pretty much the same on all models (excluding V8) and it is the spring that sets the ride height, and the colour coding offers different characteristics, ie compression rate or height.

4th August 2009, 21:10	#7
Paulontour Avid contributor MGZT 190 and MGF VVC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nuneaton Posts: 214 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts	Yes came across that earlier but unfortunatly it does not explain the difference in the colours on the spring. They must offer a difference to some degree or whats the point of the colours. Sorry for the digging but I am trying to understand why my ride height is low or would it just be worn springs that refuse to return to their normal length, and accept that I was shafted by a MG Rover specialist

4th August 2009, 21:17	#9
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	I'm sure one of the technical bods will be along, in the meant time I suggest you PM Stu forum name Xpar02 he is definitely a tech bod, at Desford.

4th August 2009, 21:26	#10
Paulontour Avid contributor MGZT 190 and MGF VVC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nuneaton Posts: 214 Thanks: 16 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts	Thanks GG I will get in touch with Stu and point him in the direction of this thread. It will save me going through this again. Paul