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 Sadly they do not quote the three numbers, but see Bulletin 2 quoted below.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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