GAZ front dampers - NOT coil-over type - any experiences please ?

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rfs1957
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#1 GAZ front dampers - NOT coil-over type - any experiences please ?

Post by rfs1957 » Thu Dec 14, 2023 2:01 pm

As I've just discovered the current crop of Girlings are too long (415mm instead of 400 ?) I'm stumped for a solution to my front-end rebuild.

I'm considering GAZ brand ones, I'm not really concerned about their damping adjustability but am very concerned by their eye-to-eye length.

Image

Do lots of people use these dampers, are they well thought-of, and could anyone confirm the length ?
Rory
3.8 OTS S1 Opalescent Silver Grey - built May 28th 1962

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caveman
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#2 Re: GAZ front dampers - NOT coil-over type - any experiences please ?

Post by caveman » Thu Dec 14, 2023 6:47 pm

Rory,
I have had Gaz for over 23yrs and only recently swapped out my fronts due to an annoying squeak. I was going to go for originality and considered Girling amongst others.
I contacted Gaz direct with a view to having them serviced and spoke with ‘Byron’ who was first class and convinced me to go with new replacements as the service cost alone was very similar to full new replacement, no brainer!
As part of this new order, and after much deliberation, having read some of the potential issues about correct length, on this forum, they built me a set to the spec of SNGB (390mm) at no extra cost.
I was surprised at the time that some venders, on that famous auction site especially, were advertising E Type S1 shock absorbers that were 410mm and over reacted when I asked for exact measurements.
I couldn’t fault Byron and the Gaz team, they perform perfectly for my needs although I don’t play about too much from the standard settings. The rears are still going strong after 23yrs although I’ve only managed 6k miles in that time.
I have Gold with Black covers that aren’t really seen. They do blue option also.
Steve
1965 S1 4.2 FHC (early)

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abowie
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#3 Re: GAZ front dampers - NOT coil-over type - any experiences please ?

Post by abowie » Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:08 pm

I have a set on my OTS. They seem to work fine. 10 years and 3000 miles.

I had a set on the rear of my MK2. Were only about 5 years old with limited miles when I bought the car. They were completely useless and I had to replace them with new shocks.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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Brendan
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#4 Re: GAZ front dampers - NOT coil-over type - any experiences please ?

Post by Brendan » Sat Dec 16, 2023 7:27 pm

I changed to a Gaz front set last year on my S1 and had no problems at all. Ive used GAZ on my BMW race car for several years and am near enough I can go to the factory to check up and collect when I need to.
The race shocks will go to them for service in the new year - they get worked harder than the S1 :-)

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rfs1957
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#5 Re: GAZ front dampers - NOT coil-over type - any experiences please ?

Post by rfs1957 » Thu Apr 18, 2024 9:33 am

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6145&p=165807#p165807

I gave up on Girlings and ordered a pair of GAZ.
Rory
3.8 OTS S1 Opalescent Silver Grey - built May 28th 1962

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Paul bow
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#6 Re: GAZ front dampers - NOT coil-over type - any experiences please ?

Post by Paul bow » Sun Apr 28, 2024 8:14 am

I can confirm the gaz dampers are a perfect fit and work very well. Mine are adjustable (set them up in the middle and never touch them!) I’ve put them on 2 e types I’ve owned and very pleased with them..
Previously...S1 OTS E type (sold)
S1 2+2 manual. (Sold)
S2 rhd OTS full resto finished 8/23
S1 3.8 coupe (full restoration yet to start!)

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