2 Litre shock absorbers

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 Shock Absorbers

Investigation work is currently being carried out on shock absorbers as they relate to Bristol’s, and the confusing world of different and changing part numbers that have been used over the passing years, especially as a result of consolidation in the number of producing companies.

 The Bristol Workshop manual states “there are three types of Newton & Bennett shock absorbers fitted to Bristol Cars and they are not interchangeable with each other. One type was fitted to 400 cars; all 401 cars up to chassis 1155 have a second type and from chassis 1156 onwards a larger type is fitted”. Sadly they do not quote the three numbers, but see Bulletin 2 quoted below.

Paraphrased extract from the Bristol 400 Workshop Manual – Bulletin 2 August 1955

The Newton & Bennet shock absorbers originally fitted are S.12490 and are no longer available, but reconditioned units could be fitted OR you could fit S.14490 as the new recommendation. However, they were not interchangeable and if S.14490 was being used it necessitated the replacement of the bottom lugs. It was also important that both rear shock absorbers should be renewed.

One set of possible replacements, produced by Geoff Dowdle in Australia, is currently being checked out for possible local supply in the UK. Note that whilst the Koni numbers are valid in their type, they do not appear in the current Koni on-line catalogue. The SPAX numbers are also being checked out, and some makes possibly not relevant to the UK have been left out.

 

Action Setting Front Rear
Compression 6.5″/Sec.
19.0″/Sec.
5 – 25 Lbs
65 – 85 Lbs
70 – 70 Lbs
115 – 135 Lbs
Rebound 6.5″/Sec.
19.0″/Sec.
35 – 55 Lbs
105 – 125 Lbs
115 – 135 Lbs
190 – 215 Lbs

 

Model Setting Compression Rebound Possible Replacement
400 Rear Newton & Bennett
Max 21.75″ – Min 13″
100 – 140 Lbs 150 – 190 Lbs SPAX 170/561G
401 Front N&B Setting WE4C4
Max 425mm – Min 305mm
100 – 140 Lbs 150 – 190 Lbs KONI 80.1149
WYLIE 25 MR 36-2
401 Rear N&B Setting NE7C3
Max 15.5″ – Min 11.375″
120 – 190 Lbs 290 – 360 Lbs KONI 80.1080
WYLIE GT130
403 Front ——– ——– ——– Spax 170/120G
Koni 80.1149
403 Rear Newton & Bennett ——– ——– Spax G4.5SL
Koni 82.1087
404 Front See Workshop
manual data below
Max 430mm – Min 290mm
——– ——– Spax G4.5SL
Koni 82.1087
See Girling below
404 Rear See Workshop
manual data below
——– ——– Koni 80.1149
See Girling below
Arnolt Front ——– ——– ——– Girling DAS6
Armstrong AT7 1185
Arnolt Rear ——– ——– ——– Girling DAS9
Armstrong AT7 1186A
405 Front See Workshop
manual data below
——– ——– Koni 80J.1107
See Girling below
405 Rear See Workshop
manual data below
——– ——– Koni 80.1215
See Girling below
406 Front ——– ——– ——– SPAX SG712
406 Rear ——– ——– ——– SPAX SG713

404-405 shock absorbers

Original data from the workshop manual

 

 

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