Nylon vs Alloy for shock spacers

**TurboRA28** · 08-06-2006, 05:02 PM

Howdy, i've got some short stroke front shocks to fit to the AE86. I'll be shortening the housing and also using a spacer under the shock.

I was going to use alloy, but recently have been informed that nylon is the way to go.

What are others opinions on this?

Thanks
Joel

**CrUZida** · 08-06-2006, 05:09 PM

Personally I'd just shorten the strut housing, but thats me, and I'm not in your position.

I can't see why Nylon would be any benefit?

In factory form the shock can't move 1mm, so why would you want to make it cushioning with Nylon?

Not speaking from any technical expertise here

**joecoolmk2** · 08-06-2006, 05:10 PM

they're both pretty hard, but yeah nylon will last longer than alloy. where exactly are you putting it?

**TurboRA28** · 08-06-2006, 05:11 PM

I am shortening it also, but it requires a bit of both to get the shock sitting in the correct position. If I shortened it with no spacer it would be too short.

I think they are a camry insert.

**CrUZida** · 08-06-2006, 05:21 PM

Yeah, guessed as much

So the spacer will just the 3-5mm safety gap?

**TurboRA28** · 08-06-2006, 05:28 PM

No the spacer would be around 20 - 30mm I'd say.

**oldcorollas** · 08-06-2006, 05:30 PM

nah, lifting the shock to get more rebound travel.

i spose nylon doesn't rust.. and if it is hard nylon, it shouldn't compress (cept if you have a thin ring at the base of the shock?

why not alloy?

**Rex_Kelway** · 08-06-2006, 06:49 PM

Why not just use Steel?, The 38mm Racetech rollcage tubing is nigh on the perfect size to slip over the mounting foot of the KYB/TRD/Tokico things. Kelway usually uses the these things and the steel sleeve locates the bottom perfectly.

Be sure it LOCATES the bottom of the damper properly otherwise the damper will skew within the strust casing. and thats bad..

So if you are using some oddball damper or aluminium/plastic spacer get it machined so it fits the bottom of the damper AND the bottom of the strut casing.

Any more info, Rex can go further with the details...Just ask...

Rex

**TurboRA28** · 08-06-2006, 10:09 PM

Thanks all for the advice.. I personally had nothing against using alloy, just started hearing people talk about the nylon instead so was interested to here if there was any benefits.

Rex, that idea sounds quite easy. Roughy how thick walled is this 38mm rollcage tubing?

Thanks
Joel

**Rex_Kelway** · 10-06-2006, 03:53 PM

The wall thickness is 2.5mm.

Generally the spacers will sit over the mounting foot ever so slightly loose and will fall off when you turn the damper the right way up. So to install you can either hold them upside down and slide the strut over from the top.

ORRRR...

The Kelway preferred method is to just wrap a single layer of electrical tape around the foot and they squeeze on nicely.

Rex