DeTomaso Mailing List: March 98, Message #143
     



From: 	"Mike Drew" <mikeldrew@hotmail.com>

Subject: Re: Replace shocks

Date: 	Wed, 4 Mar 1998 11:59:29 +0000



Scott wrote:



>I think my driver's side rear shock is shot.  Do I have to replace all

(4) at the same time?  The other (3) seem fine.



>>>As a minimum, I would at least replace them in pairs, fronts and/or 

backs.



>Most of the shocks I've seen are, in my humble opinion, outrageously

priced.  Any suggestions for reasonably priced shocks?  



>>>Well, remember that most aftermarket shocks include new springs as 

well; when you factor that in, it becomes more understandible.  I got 

Carrera shocks for my car from Larry Stock (they were originally sourced 

from Wilkinson.)  The shocks themselves are not adjustable internally, 

although they are ride-height adjustable.  Aluminum bodies, chrome 

springs, the whole deal was under $900.  However, they do use rose 

joints/rod ends/heim joints (whichever you prefer) which I have 

subsequently heard is less than optimal for a street car.  The assertion 

is that these shocks will transmit more noise and harshness to the 

chassis due to their lack of rubber bushings.



I think Pantera Performance Center sells Koni shock absorbers only (with 

no springs) and I don't think they're too terribly expensive; however, 

I've heard on this list that Koni has discontinued shocks for the 

Pantera, so they might not be available anymore.



Since lots of people 'upgrade' their shocks, it's quite possible that 

you could find used, stock shocks.  At one point I had three complete 

sets; one came from what is now Jim Firanzi's car, a '71 with only 30K 

miles on them.  They worked fine when taken off.  I gave them to Larry 

Stock and they've been cluttering up his shop ever since.  You might 

want to phone various vendors and see what they've got lying around; I 

would imagine Quella, Cook and Hall would have some as well.





>Should I wait

until I replace the wheel bearing and bushings that are scheduled for

repair in the next few months?  



>>>Depends.  How bad is it?  Is it literally broken internally, making 

clunking clanking sounds and bouncing you around the road, or what?



Many Panteras suffer from the excess weight on the driver's side, and 

over time the car starts to sag to the left.  If THIS is your symptom, 

before I spent any money I'd pull all four shocks/springs and swap 'em 

side to side to see if that helped.  That would be an interim fix for me 

though; I'd be shopping around for new springs/shocks shortly 

thereafter.



Good luck, and let us all know what you find!



Mike



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