Herald rear dampers

[Adrianb]

Hi, just stripped down rear suspension and found the dampers were two different types is this usual and what would be the preferred choice for replacing them? Thankyou

[Clive]

Not ideal, but people often replaced just one if that was leaking etc at MoT time. 

You can do a simple comparison by disconnecting one end (or remove completely) and feel each shock to see if the damping is the same each side. If it is, I would happily re-use. 

If you want to replace them, you have limited options.

(1) The cheap shocks supplied by all the suppliers. Cheap, yes. good. No. Old ones probably better and last longer.

(2) Ebay sometimes turns new old stock up.

(3) KYB are sometimes available, they are decent quality.

(4) expensive shocks. Spax/Gaz but the best are Koni. All adjustable. 

[PeteStupps]

Quoted from cliftyhanger-

(1) The cheap shocks supplied by all the suppliers. Cheap, yes. good. No. Old ones probably better and last longer.

Amen to that. I bought new 'standard' dampers to go with a new swing spring on my mk3 Spitfire, from one of the more reliable retailers. The new dampers were far too soft and the rear end wobbled like a blancmange. Put the old unknown-origin dampers back on and it was transformed back to its old stable self.