1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Are my strut cartridges blown??

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Old May 26, 2009 | 08:36 PM
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ON Are my strut cartridges blown??

They look to be in good shape but are always depressed they are hard to pull up but easy to come down no visible leaks are anything when fully pulled to full length it starts to decompress again any one know if there blown they are kybs the guy that sold them to me said there good but i thought there suposed to be rock hard like my tokicko rears
Attached Thumbnails Are my strut cartridges blown??-photo-0109.jpg   Are my strut cartridges blown??-photo-0110.jpg  
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Old May 26, 2009 | 09:20 PM
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You'd be best off saving up for some new ones. Why go through all the trouble putting in questionable old crap? Seems like they should have equal resistance in and out.
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Old May 26, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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They shouldn't stay compressed on their own. Should be hard to push down and then they should extend back.
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Old May 26, 2009 | 11:37 PM
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F$ck!!!! sgt fox know where i can get any in canada?
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Old May 26, 2009 | 11:52 PM
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You're local autoparts store should be able to source soem for you. If not try Re-Speed, Koni, or Tokico.
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Old May 27, 2009 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by fb-elli
F$ck!!!! sgt fox know where i can get any in canada?
When I was getting my tokico blues, respeed was the cheapest, unless you have a friend in the auto parts business that can get you stuff near cost.

I think I am right on them being blown, I have never seen any that stayed compressed, but you may want to wait till someone else hops in here.
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Old May 27, 2009 | 09:48 AM
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Any gas-charged cartridge should slowly extend to full length after being compressed, smoothly and without gurgling or jumping.

The old, early, manually-refillable reservoir-tube struts original to the SA's didn't do this, as they weren't gas pressurized, but those are damn rare to run across now- -almost all have been replaced with the much more reliable and better performing gas-filled cartridges over the years.

Gas-filled shocks & struts first started being sold in the early 80's as I recall.

FB strut cartridges are still pretty easy to come by. SA fronts are a little harder.
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Old May 27, 2009 | 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by DivinDriver
Any gas-charged cartridge should slowly extend to full length after being compressed, smoothly and without gurgling or jumping.

The old, early, manually-refillable reservoir-tube struts original to the SA's didn't do this, as they weren't gas pressurized, but those are damn rare to run across now- -almost all have been replaced with the much more reliable and better performing gas-filled cartridges over the years.

Gas-filled shocks & struts first started being sold in the early 80's as I recall.

FB strut cartridges are still pretty easy to come by. SA fronts are a little harder.
It is easy to modify an SA to fit FB struts. Slightly drill out the top plate to accept the FB strut end. Then drop a LARGE nut into the bottom of the strut housing to "make up" the slack. (Something about 1/2 inch thick) Big nut, piece of steel, large washers, anything....it really does not matter. You just want to make sure the top strut housing nut tightens up snug.
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Old May 27, 2009 | 11:16 PM
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As an added note, make sure whatever is used as a shim mates to the ridge at the bottom of the insert. A small nut that fits inside that ridge may damage the strut.
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Old May 27, 2009 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 80's old school
It is easy to modify an SA to fit FB struts. Slightly drill out the top plate to accept the FB strut end. Then drop a LARGE nut into the bottom of the strut housing to "make up" the slack. (Something about 1/2 inch thick) Big nut, piece of steel, large washers, anything....it really does not matter. You just want to make sure the top strut housing nut tightens up snug.
I'll be looking at doing this if the SA-sized Tokico Blues I put in the front back in May of 1995 ever actually fail.

Still working just fine, 14 years later...
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Old May 28, 2009 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by DivinDriver
Any gas-charged cartridge should slowly extend to full length after being compressed, smoothly and without gurgling or jumping.

The old, early, manually-refillable reservoir-tube struts original to the SA's didn't do this, as they weren't gas pressurized, but those are damn rare to run across now- -almost all have been replaced with the much more reliable and better performing gas-filled cartridges over the years.

Gas-filled shocks & struts first started being sold in the early 80's as I recall.

FB strut cartridges are still pretty easy to come by. SA fronts are a little harder.

So are they blown i thougth a shock should never be able to fully decompress?
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Old May 28, 2009 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by fb-elli

So are they blown i thougth a shock should never be able to fully decompress?
Yeah, 'fraid so; gas-filled struts (which the KYBs are) should always slowly & smoothly self-extend after you compress them.

If they don't extend on their own, they've lost their internal gas pressure.
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Old Jun 6, 2009 | 02:45 AM
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dammit to tell you the truth i dont even think there gas but liquid filled ill see what happens

Thanks
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Old Jun 6, 2009 | 04:20 AM
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Shocks/struts are filled with an oil based liquid. Then most are charged with an inert gas which keeps them extended. The original front struts were rebuildable and never had a gas charge but now days it's easier to simply drop in a new carteidge that is gas charged. When the gas seal is lost, a shock/strut can rest at any position while laying on it's side.
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