Front suspension

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Pedro 70
Posts: 57
Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2018 3:17 pm
Car(s): Ford Focus titaniumX daily driver.
Ford Capri 2.8i. Superb, dry days only. Kawasaki GPZ 900R.
Location: Suffolk

Front suspension

Post by Pedro 70 »

Hi all,can anyone tell me if the front supspension, shock absorbers I suppose, are adjustable on my 2.8i 1986. Mine seems extremely harsh, with the car crashing and banging on all but the smoothest of roads. Pushing the front wing down meets with great resistance. Are they all like this,can they partially seize with maybe inactivity? Thanks in advance, best regards Peter
Bod9084
Posts: 195
Joined: Sun May 11, 2014 6:43 am
Car(s): I have got a 1981 3000s and I have just got my self
A 1987 2.8i thay are both red
I had my first capri when I was 17" it was a 3000GTXLR
I have had a lot of fast fords vans all ways put bigger engine in
I also have had motor bikes I have a 1200 Suzuki bandit
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Re: Front suspension

Post by Bod9084 »

They are not adjustable buy you can get softer inserts
Pedro 70
Posts: 57
Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2018 3:17 pm
Car(s): Ford Focus titaniumX daily driver.
Ford Capri 2.8i. Superb, dry days only. Kawasaki GPZ 900R.
Location: Suffolk

Re: Front suspension

Post by Pedro 70 »

Thanks for that , will look for some adjustable maybe, units. Peter
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nigecapri
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Car(s): Black 2.0S with supercharged bike carbs.
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Re: Front suspension

Post by nigecapri »

It is likely that a previous owner has fitted uprated road springs. 195lbs is a fair guess by your description, maybe 175lbs.
A new pair of standard springs should be reasonably priced at Raldes or Burtons or you could source a good second hand pair if desperate. You will need to take the complete struts to a garage for fitting as they are under compression on the strut and are dangerous to tackle unless you have experience/training. Only worth half an hours wages though.
Removal is DIY if you have a balljoint splitter - MachineMart for their scissors type tool which does not damage the rubber dust boots as the fork type will. Jack up & support x-member, undo steering and lower suspension balljoints, have an assistant support the unit and undo the top small three screws.
Be prepared for extra work tidying up the bodywork while they're off - just behind the strut top mount is a known rust area/mot fail so well worth doing & undersealing while you can access it easily.
Pedro 70
Posts: 57
Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2018 3:17 pm
Car(s): Ford Focus titaniumX daily driver.
Ford Capri 2.8i. Superb, dry days only. Kawasaki GPZ 900R.
Location: Suffolk

Re: Front suspension

Post by Pedro 70 »

Thanks once again. Peter.
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