Shocks replacement Options

[thanos_kals]

So!
It's been a while since I hibernated Zoe and the project is really on.
The next thing on my to do list is the replacement of the current suspension setup which consists of Bilstein B8s (there's still life on them really) and Eibach pro kit red springs.
Very good setup really but i believe it is meant for track use and not for the Greek trails (not even roads). They are very stiff for my taste.
I'm currently awaiting for the brand new Bilsteins B6 to combine them with the srock springs so we can travel without creating extra strain on our backs!
My question is to those who have been down this road before; What else would be wise to replace together with the shocks for peace of mind?

[dante giacosa]

Hey Thanos-

funny you should mention the 'red springs' as I've just bought a set which I might end up not using, depending on what happens with the

If you are looking for an all-round suspension overhaul; the only other items are the wishbone bushes, which come with the wishbones obviously, the bump stops, and maybe the trailing-arm hinges at the rear.

I've had one replaced recently; it's a bit of a mission apparently

[thanos_kals]

Hey Dante,

I hope you find the way so nothing happens to your mate!

I will keep your suggestions and i also might upload some kind of FAQ guide if i have the time to do the replacement by myself.
Do you also know if the coil springs themselves go bad? I mean apart from cutting/falling away coils, do they lose their height from time and driving?

[dante giacosa]

Hey Thanos-

apologies; I haven't been able to sign in for a few days; but the 'forum has just accepted me back

Yes; springs themselves do go bad; I had a front break clean-in-half on me on the driveway last year, and puncture a tyre; thankfully I wasn't driving at the time.

My rears are sagging ALOT, and need replaced immediately (hence my recent Eibach purchase). They do compress naturally over years...

[Ganz]

That's food for thought a spring breaking and puncturing a tyre Dante

Thanos, another bush you might want to replace are the rear subframe rubber bushes. These can persish over the years making the rear end wiggle and squirm.

This post has been edited by Ganz: 6th May 2023 20:32

[thanos_kals]

Thanks a lot for your replies lads!
Oh dear Dante, I wish I could've read your reply before I purchase the used springs
Thankfully the Alfa specialist who sold me the springs will also install the new suspension setup! So fingers crossed they are good and I won't have to make a new purchase
Hey Ganz, since Zoe will be in the air during the replacement I will also check these bushings and replace them accordingly!

[dante giacosa]

Hey Thanos-

if you've got a specialist involved; then you've got the best advice 1st hand

I am just 'a voice off the internet'

[thanos_kals]

Good morning lads!
Well Dante, fingers crossed he will be a true specialist. Right now he's got her inside to install back the power steering and the A/C components....
Although it was supposed to need 2-3 working days (according to his sayings) to complete the tasks i still have no clue of what is going on (Zoe is in his shop since Wednesday)
We will see what happens

[JeremyG]

You might also want to replace the top mounts for the front suspension.

In fact, why not go the whole way and replace the rubber sleeve, bump stops etc etc - so you can assemble them as a unit and swap them straight out for your old set.

Perhaps not necessary if you're having someone else do the work for you - but in any case, the strut mounts are the only part visible from the engine bay so could be worth replacing if yours look rusty...


This post has been edited by JeremyG: 3rd May 2023 18:00

[DRPATRIK]

So!
It's been a while since I hibernated Zoe and the project is really on.
The next thing on my to do list is the replacement of the current suspension setup which consists of Bilstein B8s (there's still life on them really) and Eibach pro kit red springs.
Very good setup really but i believe it is meant for track use and not for the Greek trails (not even roads). They are very stiff for my taste.
I'm currently awaiting for the brand new Bilsteins B6 to combine them with the srock springs so we can travel without creating extra strain on our backs!
My question is to those who have been down this road before; What else would be wise to replace together with the shocks for peace of mind?

Good afternoon Thanos

we have recently bought an Alfa 146 1.8 cf1 as our family car. For the past year I am trying to sort out small or medium severity issues. I am still learning Alfa romeos, so far I am very happy with her performance. No wonder Alfisti are dedicated the brand and their cars. My next step is to replace the rear shock absorbers as their performance is 50% as measured at an MOT (KTEO) equipment. My question is how come you were not satisfied with B8 which are shorter versions of B6. I believe the absorption hardness comes from the eibach springs. How many Km have you done with the B8. Is there a possibility that they could be useful for my Alfa 146 and if we can discuss a price for the set? I was planning to change all four shocks with B8s but the price is quite steep! Contact me if you are interested. I am based in Athens too.

Thank you

Demetris

[dante giacosa]

welcome to the forum, Demetris!

[DRPATRIK]

welcome to the forum, Demetris!

Thank you a lot. Glad to have joined!

[Ganz]

Good morning lads!
Well Dante, fingers crossed he will be a true specialist. Right now he's got her inside to install back the power steering and the A/C components....
Although it was supposed to need 2-3 working days (according to his sayings) to complete the tasks i still have no clue of what is going on (Zoe is in his shop since Wednesday)
We will see what happens

Hi Thanos. I would not worry too much about the 2-3 days. Small independent specialist garages take on jobs and never have more than one or two mechanics for the jobs. Keep contacting them to see how its going otherwise it might be on the ramp for weeks. This is one of the reasons I endeavor to do all my work myself. I'm sure it will get its proper attention. Cannot wait to see it on the road

This post has been edited by Ganz: 6th May 2023 20:49

[Ganz]

Thank you a lot. Glad to have joined!

I echo Dante and a warm welcome to the forum Demtris.

[dante giacosa]

Sorry to hijack your thread, Thanos

Any chance of a picture of the CF1, Demetris...?

What am I saying??? No pictures now, obviously 🙄

This post has been edited by dante giacosa: 12th May 2023 22:30

[thanos_kals]

Well Ganz, thanks a lot of the encouragement
To be completely honest, most mechanics in Greece are all show and no go. They talk too much and their work is a shame. Most of the times in fact they end up making the car worse! That is the reason i too myself do quite a lot of job on my own, but as we all know we can't do all the jobs on the sideroad (or in a garage for the lucky ones) without the need for a ramp at least!
I had a chat with that specialist a couple of days prior leaving Zoe there and he was right to the point in his words, he was talking right when he needed to and right after we talked about some alfa stuff i realized he knows about alfas. This is why i decided to trust him. Because i bought Zoe with a lot of basic parts missing and quite of work from specialist in particular had to be done so i had to trust someone at some point.
I just hope he's worth it.

Jeremy thanks for your reply too.
My top mounts 'seem' good visually. Also they are not knocking when driving so i don't think they will need replacement soon. Do you know if they can be repaired or just replacement? If they can be repaired, what parts will i need mostly?

Dimitris, welcome to our company!
According to my knowledge so far, the stiffness of the suspension setup depends mostly on the build of the shocks. I bought Zoe in 2020 with the B8's already installed and the owner told he bought them new back in 2013-14. The car was just sitting for 4 years or so, and i have put some 35k kilometers extra since the purchase. It is an excellent setup for someone who's doing track use regularly or is hunting wiggling roads but the combination with the lower height (the lower springs need to be stiff as well so the shock absorber is not bottoming easily) make them almost prohibited for our roads and to be completely honest i do "mostly" highway driving and when i'm using b-roads i prefer keeping a spry pace (not fast). So my style doesn't justify the extra stiffness of the current setup.
My thinking for the choice of the B6's is that the stock ride height combined with the softness of the stock springs will return some of the comfort back without sacrificing the cornering ability completely.

This post has been edited by thanos_kals: 9th May 2023 18:19

[dante giacosa]

(This is a great post, Thanos!)

[DRPATRIK]

Thank you Thanos for your reply. I shall buy new shock absorbers probably Sachs or Koni str T for the rear while keeping everything else pretty standard.