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OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
https://ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=87465		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  BKozan [ Tue Oct 14, 2014 4:19 pm ]
Post subject:  OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
Can anyone post the OPEN and CLOSED lengths of an OEM shock absorber (preferably later model or Rover if possible).

I've been running the Protech shocks out of the UK, and whilst I'd like to say they are great, they bottom out with any sort of good bump. My Rover is mostly stock save for some Hi-Lo's and adjustable camber bits, and I've currently got the rear ride height set somewhere around 5 fingers between the wheel and arch. Even with FIVE fingers of height (and my Mini looking like a clown car), over any decent bump I get a serious WHACK that makes me cringe.

The Protech guys are as stumped as me, but they seem willing to investigate further, and perhaps help me out with a set of the lowered version of the shocks. However, looking at the lowered version, I am afraid the OPEN height will be too short! Unfortunately they don't seem to publish the CLOSED height, and I may have to take mine off to find out.

From the Protech site:
LOWERED: F 303mm, R 347mm, OPEN
STANDARD: F 332mm, R 412mm, OPEN

Thanks guys,
Author:  BKozan [ Wed Oct 15, 2014 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
Nobody knows? Has anyone else ever had a shock bottoming out, of any brand? I don't run my mini terribly low, it seems that two fat fingers is a common height, and is where I would like it to sit.
Author:  Mr Orange [ Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
I'm running a set of the lowered Protech shocks at a stock Cooper S ride height and haven't had any problems.

Not sure that helps!
Author:  mickmini [ Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
Sounds to me like you have standard height shocks and have lowered teh hi-los beyond their operating range.

I run fairly low on mine and have spax lowered shocks with no probkems.

cheers
michael
Author:  BKozan [ Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
Well, I've got a set of lowered Protech on the way, nice guys over there.

I'll have a slightly used set of standard height, with a mangled boot for sale soon.
Author:  simon k [ Wed Oct 15, 2014 7:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
I'd be interested... except that if they've been bottoming out they'll be damaged inside.

I thought you should be able to wind the hilos all the way down so the top arm is hard against the bump stop and rubber cone is loose in the subframe and still have some travel on the damper. Is that the case?
Author:  junior [ Wed Oct 15, 2014 9:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
Just measured a standard new front KYB Gas-A-Just,
Approx measurements,Extended, 330mm & closed 215mm
Author:  Beanie [ Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
Check to see if the shock was actually bottoming out , i have run a set of protechs before , and upon removal found that they had been hitting the side of the top subframe ( where the bump stop is bolted to ) and on another part of the rear subframe , so check the body of the shocks to see if they have been touching


Cheers
Beanie
Author:  junior [ Thu Oct 16, 2014 7:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
A little off topic, but how far can you 'lower' a mini before needing 'lowered' shocks?
Author:  simon k [ Thu Oct 16, 2014 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
I believe the main reason for "needing" lowered dampers is that you want to limit the amount of droop in the suspension, so their fully extended length is shorter than a standard damper, but their fully closed length is much the same as standard. As I recall, this was the case with a set of (stuffed) SPAX adjustables I have at home, there wasn't much difference in length to my standard gabriels

You need to limit the amount of droop to make sure the rubber cone stays in it's seat when you lift the car off the ground (or on the down-ramp of a speedbump etc.)

The little rebound pad under the top arm does the job for you up to a point, and then the travel limit in the damper takes over

SO, if the above is correct, "how far can you lower a car" is based on "lower it to where you want it, jack it up and see if the rubber cone is still under some compression"
Author:  Snoop G [ Tue Oct 21, 2014 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
BKozan we are pretty much looking for the same thing now to find a good decent standard height damper.
We don't want it lowered at all.
Author:  BKozan [ Sun Nov 02, 2014 8:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: OEM Shock Heights - Protech Bottoming Out
So I've received an installed the lowered version of the Protech Shocks, and for the sake of interweb archive and knowledge base, here is the information I gathered. I took pictures of the front comparison, but forgot to do the rear after I grabbed measurements.

Also of note, the rear Protech shocks needed modification to fit. The "ledge" of the main shock housing is a bit too low to clear the radius arm properly. It didn't take too much effort to file away the lip and smooth it out a bit, but at the cost of these things I think it needs to be fixed. I have let the Protech guys know.

Standard Height Protech:
Front Open: 33.4cm
Front Close: 23cm

Rear Open: 45cm
Rear Close: 31.5cm


Lowered:
Front Open: 30cm
Front Close: 21.5cm

Rear Open: 38cm
Rear Close: 28.5cm

Front Comparison Open:
Image

Front Comparison Closed:
Image

You can see the left side has been "lifted" a touch.
Image
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