TeamSwift

i replaced the shock oil in my 10 year old rear struts this weekend with belray 30w fork oil
was relatively simple, took just over 2 hrs with most of the time spent just draining the oil
i closed the hole with rubber and hose clamps, just incase i found the strut too stiff, i could change the oil with ease, i'll seal it properly with steel epoxy
the difference in compression was fair, but rebound, whoa!! it took a lot of effort to extend the shafts

i can't really say the difference in performance though, i'll have to lower the car this week and really push it around the local circuit to compare

but i definitely recommend this mod to anyone who want to breathe some life back into their struts

Keep us updated on strut performance

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AKA zukiman79
'89 Swift GTi
'87 Sami 4x4 (Trail only)
check my albums

i dropped the car, i cut 1.25 coil in the front and 1 coil in the rear, looks great and handles better
the ride is not as harsh as i expected, the shocks are holding up fine, no leaks, i think it's time for the front

one question, the back of the car , the right fender has less clearance that the left. same tire size, same amount cut (exactly one coil)
the car looks level though can't understand that, could it be the refilled shock on the right? (doubt it will affect height), or could it be the anti sway bar?
i recent put poly sway bar bushings and end links, the bar may not be centered, but only off by about 1-2 cm
could this be the cause of the different fender clearance?

Is your car right side steer (steering on right)? in could just be wear from driver only... If not check your spring seats. May not be seated correct.

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AKA zukiman79
'89 Swift GTi
'87 Sami 4x4 (Trail only)
check my albums

Hi,

I'm not sure if mk2 onwards uses panhard rod or not on back suspension but if you do then this link will help you.

http://home.modemss.brisnet.org.au/~jmi ... d_rod.html

It is a nice mk1 and I wish mine looked like this .

Cheers
Atchi

MK2 and later vehicles have independent rear suspension - so no panhard rods

hello.

if im using a koni shock but it has worn out already.. can i use this method to change e oil. will is still work if the seals are leaking??? thanks

the rear sway bar is self centering. it has several inches of free lateral movement. the tips, via the end links, are positioned by the control arms while the bar is able to move from side to side in the hanger bushings.

it would be much more likely that the difference in clearance from side to side is due to the toe adjustment (barring any physical damage causing the frame, spindle, or body panel to shift.)

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1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized with a Twincam 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project
My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue
My YouTube Channel
My Photo Gallery
SAAB Sonett II

this is a sticky!!!

Ok I know old post but I've looked all over the site and haven't found pictures of this mod. Does anyone have pictures of a set of shocks that they have performed this mod on?

Thanks DJ

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Forgive my bad spelling and grammar please. My last name isn't Webster and I'm not an English major.
http://www.ftwclans.com
http://www.4deuce.com

yeah im in for pictures if possible, also maybe I skimmed over it too fast, but what do you do with the hole you drill?

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1991 Swift GT Build G10 +25 psi + other goodies
1996 Metro Build QR25de swap, still undecided where to take it
the lolcar family

let´s see if i understood

you´re talkink about taking the old stoch struts anf filled them with oil??

i just couldn´t see the pics where to drill ......

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http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/811447

update

about 18 months after filling all four struts with 30w fork oil, i have no complaints with the struts.

much much mileage put on the car, struts holding up well, ride is very stiff though with this setup.
car handles great with much less body roll compared to stock.

within the last few weeks, i noticed the left rear strut leaking, turned out to be the seal around the shaft. not bad i think, considering that the struts are the original struts that came with the car from factory, with ridiculous mileage put on them.

im not investing in koni's, just going to buy two new rear struts, and fill them immediately with 30w oil, and replacing the front setup with some tein coilovers.

sorry again but where aRE the pics that explain where to drill??
anyone????

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http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/811447

I would really like a pic of drilling location as well.

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http://www.freewebs.com/rmp-motorsports/

Hey Guys,
I've read through this post but it seems like all the linked topics and pictures are no longer available. I'm really trying to complete this mod this coming weekend in preperation for a rally. Can anyone help with some more information/pictures? I wondering where people have drilled this hole, and how they've sealed it once they've swaped the oil.

Thanks very much,
Spencer

The request for pics keeps rolling via me. Pretty please?

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1989 Geo Metro LSI- THE BEAST
-Performance head package, header, drilled/slotted rotors, cut front springs, lightened flywheel, +10 timing advance, short throw shifter, modded exhaust
1997 Blazer
-Front lowered 2", euro taillights with LED light bar, clear corners, CAI, 31x10.50 Rear tire swap
1993 Dakota
- All stock, big ol v8 beast. Wanna buy it?

This is some good info, if you're trying to decide what fluid to use, or if you only have a few types available locally.
Interesting to note that the SAE numbers are not always a good indicator of viscosity.



To those looking for pic's, I'll try to get something up this week.

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Contact 3tech: [email protected]

Much appreciated

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1989 Geo Metro LSI- THE BEAST
-Performance head package, header, drilled/slotted rotors, cut front springs, lightened flywheel, +10 timing advance, short throw shifter, modded exhaust
1997 Blazer
-Front lowered 2", euro taillights with LED light bar, clear corners, CAI, 31x10.50 Rear tire swap
1993 Dakota
- All stock, big ol v8 beast. Wanna buy it?

Do the front struts have to have the springs removed in order to do the oil change?

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My cars:

J. McBean: '98 Suzuki Swift 1.3L 16v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk5" Made in Canada
The Mini Rattler: '94 Suzuki Swift .993L 6v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk3" Made in Canada *The Winter Beater*
B. Berry: '90 Chevrolet Turbo Sprint 1.0L 6v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk2" Made in Japan

I got 18MPG in a 3cyl with a 5 speed manual 4dr, '93 Metro!

Yes.
You need to pump the shock through it's travel to empty, and fill it properly.

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Contact 3tech: [email protected]

still cant find any pictures of this so called hole that needs to be drilled. someone post a frickin picture already frick.

If you have a vert, this will do you no good, as the stock struts on the Vert are gas charged AFAIK.

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My cars:

J. McBean: '98 Suzuki Swift 1.3L 16v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk5" Made in Canada
The Mini Rattler: '94 Suzuki Swift .993L 6v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk3" Made in Canada *The Winter Beater*
B. Berry: '90 Chevrolet Turbo Sprint 1.0L 6v SOHC 5sp+ "Mk2" Made in Japan

I got 18MPG in a 3cyl with a 5 speed manual 4dr, '93 Metro!

got a set of struts from pick n pull that are not gas charged thanks. still need a pic

the compliance of oil only struts won't do for a vert. it will, however, change the handling from that of a shopping cart with one bad wheel to the handling of a shopping cart with 4 bad wheels.

one of the first mods i made to a vert was to transplant a complete suspension from a gt. the oil only struts sucked. a change to gas over oil struts along with the gt sway bars and springs hooked things back up.

the vert needs the higher compliance and faster return of the gas charged struts to keep the tires planted, especially on the rears. i'm inclined to run gas overs on a gt now, too.

_________________
1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized with a Twincam 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project
My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue
My YouTube Channel
My Photo Gallery
SAAB Sonett II