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Re: [TR] TR3 Rear Shock Absorbers

To: "'Todd Richmond'" <twr@frii.com>, "'TR List'"
Subject: Re: [TR] TR3 Rear Shock Absorbers
From: "Randall" <tr3driver@ca.rr.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:19:38 -0700
> Is rebuilding them yourself not an option?

Apparently requires enough special tools that no one does it.  If you learn
how, I'd love to hear about it (just because it's something I don't know).
Looks like you start by pulling the shaft out of the inner lever, which
apparently ruins both of them (so they have to be replaced), etc.

> Also, what is the consensus on gas shock conversion
> kits?  Are these worthwhile, or too much of a
> headache?  

On a TR3, they severely limit how wide a tire you can run.  IMO wide tires
offer far more improvement than uprated shocks.  The stock lever shock can
also be modified by changing the valving (plug in the side near the bottom)
and/or using heavier oil.

It's also my opinion that the leaf springs have so much internal friction
that they don't really need any more damping.  YMMV of course.

Worth noting, perhaps, that the IRS cars have much softer rear suspensions,
including the shocks.  TR3 shocks are noticeably stiffer than IRS shocks.

> but how do you test if these things are working
> without actually driving around on them?

As a general rule, if they don't leak, they are OK.  But try forcing the arm
to move throughout its entire stroke, both up and down.  If it offers very
firm but even resistance all the way, then IMO they are working well enough.
If you don't feel resistance, or the resistance changes at any point within
the stroke, it has a problem (which may be only air in the unit, so try it a
few times with the shock held upright before discarding them).

-- Randall 
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