Front Shock Absorbers- P5 Saloon Mark 3

[benshamlad]

Good Morning

I've just purchased 2X Front Shock Absorbers in excellent condition, both Rover OEM Part No. 542858 etched on the items, one of them also has a Unipart Sticker with GSS 188, otherwise the parts are identical. On trying to fit them, the eyelets are too big, measuring 1.75" in full diameter,1.5" aperture. The old shockers I've removed are unmarked and fit perfectly with an eyelet of half the size diameter. Curiously, the shockers with the above large eyelets I've bought fit on the REAR, perfectly! On checking, that Part No., it's Rover OEM Part No. 542859. This confirms mine to be 'correct' for the Front as 542858. So why won't they fit?? As I've said, the removed ones have the much smaller eyelets and there's no way I can fit the original parts I've bought, handy as spares for the rear only.
Has anyone any ideas that might solve this strange issue? My car is a Rover P5 Saloon, Manual/OD PAS registered in 1966 D Plate. Do I need a different shocker for the Front? I cannot find any answers looking online anywhere, including this Forum. I haven't been able to get technical help from Wadhams who don't have the original parts, but may have to go back there for their part of all else fails.


Any advice, ideas or hints would be greatly appreciated!

[benshamlad]

...Sorry, the Unipart Reference is GSA 188.

[lagain]

Unless someone has altered it, only a guess, but the P5 was available with high suspension with a different shock absorber (536595), but the rear was different as well (536596), does it sit higher ?
For standard suspension the front was GSA 189 and the rear GSA 192 (Unipart)

Please be aware that shock absorbers do have a shelf life and it is best to buy as new as possible.
I bought some Woodhead, new old stock some years ago and they were no good at all.

[benshamlad]

Hello

Thank you for your prompt response, it's much appreciated.

Looking at the suspension height, all I can say is that it's higher at the front, yes. Kneeling and measuring from the highest part of the wheel arches, at the front the gap to the top of the tyre is at least 4 inches clear. The rear has the tyre top at least an inch or two hidden, higher than the wheel arch. If this looks like high a suspension model, then the shockers are incorrect. The correct ones need to have the smaller diameter eyelet, but that might be hard to discover!
The ones I've bought from a rover parts specialist on eBay would therefore be unusable, interestingly they have identical Rover name marking and identical part numbers and a perfect match......with one exception: one of them has the word Woodhead etched on it too!
I'm hoping that doesn't render them unusable on account of shelf life! I may ask to exchange them for other parts the supplier has in stock and buy the shockers from Wadhams. Do you have any other suggestions or alternative shocks absorbers? I've got SPAX adjustable on the rear but I'm thinking i wouldn't absolutely need adjustables for the fronts

Once again, thank you for your valued support.

[lagain]

I have Spax adjustable on my P5b, it just depends what is available as I would imagine that the shock adsorbers are only suitable for the P5.

[benshamlad]

Hi thanks again for your valued help. I think I'll have to find out the correct eyelet diameter before buying another pair of them, whichever I choose from what's available.

Kind regards

[latecomer]

Ben,
Hello.
I have just read your message, sorry for the delay in my reply.
You mention a diameter difference of the ring eye where the shock absorber is connected. I am going to mention something that could sound quite silly now.
Have you got the rubber bushes in? There are 2No cone bushes per shock absorber.

Have you got the inner sleeve inside the bushes? Each pair of cone bushes has a steel sleeve which is hand pressed/pushed into the bushes and into which the attachment bolt passes through.

I also have a Mk3 coupe from 1967 and I changed all four of my shockers a couple of years ago.
The bottom attachment bolt on all 4 shockers were seized. The existing rubbers were very hard but not degraded.
My main problem during this exercise was the removal and fitment of the rear seat backrest. Do not forget the 4No 1/4inch bolts holding the backrest in place. It was a very hot day (truly) and you will know for yourself the back rest is large and heavy. I also have a dog who kept barking to go for a walk and to be fed.

The original shockers (Woodhead) were well past their sell by date and pretty kna....

I replaced them with Spax adjustable units purchased from JRW. They came with both top and bottom rubbers.  I also bought new bolts, sleeves and more cone durable rubbers.  Fitting was easy, other than the back seat back rest. and the dog was very happy when I had finished.
The car ride is now quite wonderful.

Hope this helps in some way.

Regards,
Stuart



 

[benshamlad]

Hi Stuart

Thanks for your reply which I read after having taken action to return and swap the Rover 'Woodhead' shockers for other items I needed. I took a leaf out of your book and bought 2X Spax Adjustable Fronts last week. Now fitted, these match my Spax Rear Adjustables, so I'm happy.
Thanks for being a good Pal and setting me on the right lines!
John

[p5andrew]

I too have recently fitted Spax adjustable shocks to the front of our P5B as part a recent total suspension/steering rebuild and have been very pleased so far.  I have them set at twelve clicks which seems to provide a good combination of ride and handling.  

I am currently rebuilding an axle for the car and am wondering about swapping for Spax for the rear as well.  There is nothing obviously wrong with the current shocks but they appear to be of considerable age and are likely to be past their best.  Being able to adjust them to enable me to balance the damping front/rear would be a potential benefit.  Just need to convince management…

[latecomer]

Ben,
Hello and thank you or the reply.
Glad that you have sorted things out.
Just one word though. Remember the P5 engine has a cast iron block which makes the front end heavier than that of the P5B which of course is aluminium.  It just takes a little while to set the shockers up as you want them.

Take care.
Regards,
Stuart