409 dampers

pasini s · #1 (**permalink**) 04-03-11, 05:54 PM

Whilst the mechanics put the rebuilt engine back where it belongs, I am looking for a suitable replacement for the rear Selectarides, that are now working as they would have (surprised?) and, according to the mechanics, are also in bad shape, leaking oil etc.

I know that many V8 owners have fitted telescopic dampers, any suggestions/data about what I could order to fit on my 409? As I buy the rear ones, I think that I would be happy to buy some new front ones as well. Thank you!

Stefano

MYTA21 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-03-11, 11:03 PM

Hello Stefano,
The rear dampers on my 409 were changed to Koni's before I bought it as were the fronts. On trying to get replacement Koni's for the fronts, it seems the part no. was no longer available, but a Koni dealer here in Australia reconditioned them for about A$250 the pair. You could contact a Koni agent for details on the rear, as I think the conversion might have been a regular modification. I guess you'd get the front ones OK from Bristol cars.
Mike O

Janne · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-11, 02:52 PM

I used Spax dampers when I did my 411.
Call Spax and speak to them, they will advise you for the correct ones.

They are easy to adjust too.

pasini s · #4 (**permalink**) 06-03-11, 09:32 AM

Hello,

unfortunately I tried to contact Spax in the past and they answered:

"....We don't do any off-the-shelf dampers for the Bristol 409 any more, and we don't have any data to help spec them for you either.

I've attached details on the KSX dampers we do instead, so please specify a pair of those in the correct sizes for yourself instead."

So they were not so helpful. I'll try to figure it out, but if some fellow 408/410 owner has any data about the shocks installed in his car it would be a great help. Thank you!

Stefano

GREG · #5 (**permalink**) 06-03-11, 10:56 AM

The ones I bought from ACCS were from the GAZ GT range ( 408 )

Gaz Shocks / shock absorbers, suspension struts and lowering kits

You could ask GAZ or ACCS -- the other car club is also working on new sources - not BOC :-)

Thor · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-11, 03:02 PM

I have a pair of unused selectaride dampers. Clearly they have been unused for a very long time. I would gladly sell them, but I suspect they wouldn't work very well, so not a good idea. Perhaps the best destination would be a donation to the Bristol Heritage Trust as museum pieces.

YES, you've got it, they could be displayed as a pair of Bristol's dampers (note apostrophe).

pasini s · #7 (**permalink**) 07-03-11, 03:09 PM

Hello Thor,

I am obviously interested in those dampers, so....you have a PM in your mailbox!

Cheers

Stefano

GREG · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-11, 04:05 PM

I think these SPAX will work for the 407 to 409

Spax PSX rear shock absorber G713 for BRISTOL 402 - 403 :: HaloPerformance

geo · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-11, 02:58 PM

There has been some mention of Koni dampers and Bristols: if I remember correctly, the reason that all models were so comprehensively covered was that the importer/main agent (?) in the 1970s had a good collection of the cars for his own use.

When I replaced mine about a decade ago, I had to fit Spax adjustable ones as no others at the time were thought to be the correct specification for the V8 cars.

George