fitting 2.25ID rear struts with Gaz shockers

[roebuck]

We are fitting Paul Matty rear 2 1/4 bearing housing and all associated parts. Elan S4 SE 1970.
Question.
We have Gaz shockers which have a large dimple on the bottom. There is nothing for this dimple to sit in with the Paul Matty ones where as the originals have an indent.
We have packed 18mm of steel washers the stop the shocker from moving when suspension is off the ground.
These washers are 4mm thick with one 2mm. They are slightly smaller diameter than the tube.
Not sure that this will not result in the shocker moving and causing rattling.
Can I please have a bit help to put us in the right direction.
Many thanks

[512BB]

What you describe does not sound like an ideal situation to me. As you state, with the original setup, a collar at the top of the strut tube screws in and firmly holds the damper in the tube with no movement.

You have put 6mm worth of washers in your tube. So screw down the collar or whatever holds the damper in place, and pull out and push in the inner rod to see if you can feel the damper body moving. If you can, you have not added enough washers.

But I have to say, that needing to add a load of washers sounds a bit Heath Robinson to me, and to my mind, the damper has not been designed specifically for the job.

I would speak to Matty about it, but be prepared for some bullshit.

Leslie

[elansprint]

Regretably this is not un common the Gaz front shock for the triumph stag is the same too short pad it with washers they say just make the dam thing the right length it is not rocket science. The spax for the same application is too long although they did listen and asked me to send a strut tube to correct it ?
Ian

[Chrispy]

I just installed GAZ shocks in my +2, but were standard spring diameter. The shocks came with the machined spacer that goes at the bottom of the hub tube - everything lined up well and had no issues with it being retained properly.

[roebuck]

Thank you all for your help.
It looks like the spacers supplied with the shocks are in the old tubes and we can not get them out.
Think we will have to machine new ones but it would be helpful to know the height to make them.
16 -18 or 20mm thick?
Rob

[Chrispy]

Rob,

I didn't measure mine before installing, but there are a few pictures in this thread:

lotus-suspension-f42/rear-dampers-for-plus-monroe-mr246-t30856-30.html