Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Avos

My comments were about my front shocks and how much improvement the AVOs are over the standard Sachs shocks. As said above I wanted to do the swap with a before and after drive to make the best comparison I could. The improvement is significant

I’d be equally interested to do a similar comparison with spax and/or koni

The system I used whilst not particularly scientific minimised the variables and gave a much improved driving experience

There were Kohnis on my 2002 Plus 8 when I bought it. To adjust they would need removal and bench to adjust, but a problem was that internals could break so adjustment from the setting at the time was not possible. Not a huge range available anyway. One of mine (rear) failed so I replaced front and back with AVO's from Tim Ayers. There then followed a period of adjust and test until I was happy. Definitely an improvement with everything checked ( rear leaves lubed, front springs looking correct, tyres/pressures set etc)The next job was to fit Rog's bump stops but didn't get round to that. We have speed bump breeding areas here so they were a consideration!
I forget the settings I ended up with but rears tended to slightly softer side of mid point. Fronts unsure of clicks used. Test on hardest then softest to see the extremes then mid point and small tweeks from there. Regular route to reduce variables.
The AVO's were a definite improvement.

Everyone will find an improvement after fitting new dampers, even the most basic spec of new will out perform worn old ones, especially OE Sachs, which the trade bulk buy cost is about £10

It's like the New Tyres thread - folks say how amazing and transformed the car is with new rubber, yep...that's because you've just binned some rock hard, slippery 10 year old ones

Agreed Jon.

Ahh, should have clarified that my AVOs were previously used , bought from Dave W with about 5000miles I believe

Part of my ‘pseudo-scientific’ testing strategy was to deliberately try used not new items.

Definitely worth keeping everything in good working order as the first step in a good performance. Greasing, rear leafspring lube, tyres etc as the base for the car.
I remember fitting a Librands roll bar to the Plus8 and could feel a difference. Car felt " tighter".
My thoughts were that if anything needed replacement then look at the options for upgrade, mods, future proofing.
I did this with the brakes. One caliper needed changing due to damage ( pad pin lug broken) and difficult to find acreplacement so did calipers/discs/hoses in one go. Yes, extra cost but sensible.