quote:
Originally posted by Joe6pack:
I took my shocks and springs apart today. I am pretty sure that I have the stock Ariston shocks even though this is a '73 Euro. They have a silver label with blue writing and are definitely adjustable.
What is your opinion of these shocks? Can they be rebuilt if necessary? Should I just ebay them and buy some newer ones. I couldn't find much info. on them. Thanks.
FWIW, thats because they're going on 37 years old. 1971 Aristons are a cheaper version of early Konis and can be professionally rebuilt- Pat Michael in MA has been doing this for some years and even buys junk ones if you want to upgrade. Keep in mind that three things go wrong with shocks: first, the seals wear and pump all the shock oil overboard. Second, the damper washers inside have tiny drillings for oil passing back & forth, which enlarge with the miles on the shock. Third, rubber shock mounts- especially the bottom ones- pound out and allow the shock bodies drop down & touch the lower a-arm. This causes mysterious squeaks and can actually wear thru the shock bottom! For poor kids, Koni, Ariston and Telecars all use the same shock bushings and they can be pressed in & out to extend the life of marginal shocks. I've not fooled with the Aristons myself but the early Konis do adjust once the roll pin, upper shock eye AND the bump rubber are all removed; when Koni says 'collapse fully before twisting', they meant FULLY!
AS far as OEMs, Aristons were painted black; Telecars were blue with a yellow decal and were totally NON-adjustable & non-rebuildable (Thanks, Ford!) Konis were never OEM but were used by many owners as the best contemporary shock available. There are also Konis for Mangustas (but not OEM). Konis were tomato-orange up until the mid-'90s when they changed to yellow paint. The U.S rebuilder for Konis is in Hebron, KY but check their website first: a rebuild will likely cost more than an upgrade to a modern gas-charged shock with adjustable spring perches!
