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Mk2 Panelvan Rear Shocks

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willy pete
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2010/01/24 20:59:34 (permalink)
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Mk2 Panelvan Rear Shocks

Not really urgent, just a topic for Mk2 Panelvan enthusiasts.

Well, I finally got around to rebuiding the rear end on my inherited 1976 Mk2 Van over the Christmas break.

Part of the job was to install a new pair of Monroe rear shocks, Part Number 15-0066 which Monroe claim to suit 74 - 82 Vans.

The shocks I took out were original Ford Armstrong units, with the Ford Part Number 75AB 18080FA stamped on them. (I guess Dad never got around to replacing these, in spite of my Brother working for Tenneco!) This part number matches my 1975/6 factory parts book. These genuine Ford shocks measure 17-1/2" centre to centre of the mounting eyes fully extended (maximum stroke).

The Monroe replacements are at least 1" shorter c-c fully extended than the original Ford shocks. The Monroe top & bottom bolt hole tubes as supplied are to suit 12mm bolts, (the originals use 1/2" bolts to mount to the Upper Mounting Bracket, and the original tubes are shorter than those fitted to the Monroes) so I had to make new shorter tubes to suit 1/2" bolts and fit them to the Monroe shock eyes. I also had to grind the top rubbers about 1.5mm down on each side to match the thickness of the originals to get them to fit the gap correctly on the Upper Mounting Bracket. In contrast, the 12mm bottom eyes fitted fine over the 12mm studs on the lower mounting plates. All is good, not a dodgy installation by any means as I have access to a machine shop.

I bolted everything up with the weight on the rear axles. The shocks only just made the height due to their shorter stroke, very little spare rebound stroke with the wheels on the ground. Jack up the rear of the van, place stands under the chassis rails with wheels off the ground, and the Monroe shocks are under tension due to their shorter stroke.

Has anyone else had hassles finding replacement shocks that fit correctly?

This is the only Part Number that Monroe list for Escort Panelvans and I am not impressed that they wouldn't fit 'out of the box', and am even less impressed that they are shorter stroke than the originals.

As part of the rebuild, I also fitted reconditioned four leaf springs from a 1977 Mk2 Van with new polyurethane bushings. The rear of the van sits slightly high unloaded, and I can't help but wonder if the Monroes hit maximum extension on rebound (when going over bumps) placing strain on them due to their shorter stroke?

What shocks are other people using on their Mk2 Vans?

Oh, and yes, the drive is much improved. The old girl no longer has a saggy rear end and that's a good thing
#1


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    Mickas
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    RE: Mk2 Panelvan Rear Shocks 2010/01/24 23:10:43 (permalink)
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    Can't remember the part number but i had monroe's in the back of my mk1 van and they just didn't seem to work good enough.
    We ended up chasing a set of Koni's from an early VW beetle I think it was. The sizes where close enough, just had to mill out the bolt hole to 13mm I think... Just turned them down to softest setting...
    Not sure if that helps but thats my 2cents.
    #2
    sundowner
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    RE: Mk2 Panelvan Rear Shocks 2010/01/25 00:59:45 (permalink)
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    i would love to hear some more on this as im about to purchase all new suspension for mine. who recommends what?
    #3

    willy pete
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    RE: Mk2 Panelvan Rear Shocks 2010/01/25 07:02:08 (permalink)
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    Apart from the Monroe shocks mentioned in my first post, I used Super Pro polyurethane bushings for the Leaf Spring Front & Rear Eye Bushings, and ditto for the Spring Shackle Upper Bushings. I also used their Leaf Spring Saddle Mount Bushings, which replace the flat long rubber pads which sandwich top and bottom in between the leaf springs and shock mounting plate - they're only available in 60mm spring width.

    No problems fitting any of the Super Pros, the upper shackle bushes were a finger tight push in the chassis tubes, while I had the Spring Eye bushings fitted by Industrial Springs at Hindmarsh, who fully refurbished the pair of 4 leaf springs for me. (Strip, shotpeen, re-rivet, shim, replace wear pads etc. & re-paint - retensioning wasn't necessary as the springs I supplied had done very little work)

    As a rule, I don't like polyurethane bushes. They are more prone to wear than rubber, as they rely on pivoting on the steel bushings and polyurethane is abrasive over time. Yes, I did use the special white grease supplied with them.

    Why did I go for the Super Pros? They're the best of the Polys. Shape, fit and a softer Duro Hardness than the other brands make them superior. Apart from that, I couldn't find a local source for original or replacement rubber bushes at the time.

    Since then, I have discovered that QH (Quinton Hazell, UK manufacturer) list the three rear rubber bushings in their catalogue, excepting the Leaf Spring Saddle Bushings. I will be making enquiries regarding availability through my UK contacts.

    The verdict? - its early days yet, with less than 500km clocked on the rebuilt rear end. Ride is much firmer, and directional stability is much improved. There is very little lateral play in those beefed up springs with the Super Pros over the original 3 leaf springs & rubber bushes. The Monroes are still new, and I'm yet to put a heavy load in the back of the Van to see how they *really* go. Right now, they're an improvement over the 34 year old shocks that came out
    #4
    Red Pepper
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    RE: Mk2 Panelvan Rear Shocks 2010/01/25 12:19:17 (permalink)
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    I know I don't have a PVan, but I took my MK 1 into Pedders and had them install their gas ryders on the rear together with all new polyurethane bushes to the springs shackles etc and it has made one hell of a difference.Best $500 I ever spent!!

    I had replaced the rears with Monroe gas and I wasted my money.(Sold 'em on Ebay[:x)]) They were way too soft!!
    #5
    willy pete
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    RE: Mk2 Panelvan Rear Shocks 2010/02/02 09:12:19 (permalink)
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    Updating my original post, I was at my local wrecker on Sunday and measured the original Armstrong (Australia) rear shockers on a 1980 Panelvan they had in the yard - 17-1/2" centre to centre, same as my 1976 Van.

    Looks like this is the stock length for these.

    Thanks Red Pepper for the tip - I will check out Pedders and see if they have a shock closer to the originals than the Monroe units.

    Koni unfortunately don't list anything for Escorts in their catalog but it may also be worth visiting a Koni stockist and taking a peek at their size charts - from past experience most of their motorcycle shocks are mix'n'match from a generic chart.
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    Mickas
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    RE: Mk2 Panelvan Rear Shocks 2010/02/02 09:24:19 (permalink)
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    When i get a chance i will get you the part number of my rear konis
    #7
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