Fitting ES9000 Shocks

[Disco Bristol]

Hi, I am getting Procom’s ES9000 for my Disco 97. Are they simple to fit? My question really is, is there any tuning required, or is it a case of bolt on bolt off?

 I think I read somewhere that shocks should be fitted by a reputable workshop as back street workshops will not be able to set up the suspension properly.

Are they maybe referring to more sophisticated shocks that have tuning capabilities

[Budgie]

The only thing you need to do with the ES9000's is prime them. It's just a case of pushing the shock from fully extended to fully compressed a couple of times to ease everything up and make sure there are no bubbles in the tube that have formed when stored. Then just bolt them on.  :D

When doing the front I would get a new pair of turret retainer rings as the studs on these normally snap off. You have to remove the spring to fit the new ones.  

[Bulli]

thats a sensible suggestion budgie...they will have siezed....or you could buy mine !! I can fit em in a jiffy

[imspanners]

The only thing you need to do with the ES9000's is prime them. It's just a case of pushing the shock from fully extended to fully compressed a couple of times to ease everything up and make sure there are no bubbles in the tube that have formed when stored. Then just bolt them on.  :D

There's no need to prime them, they're gas shocks. You only need to prime oil filled shockers.  

[wizard]

When doing the front I would get a new pair of turret retainer rings as the studs on these normally snap off. You have to remove the spring to fit the new ones

You dont have to take the turrets off.
Just unbolt the shock top & bottom, remove the spring and pull the shock out.

regards
wizard :twisted:

[bobtail4x4]

thats what I did

[Budgie]

There's no need to prime them, they're gas shocks. You only need to prime oil filled shockers.  

I've always primed them, gas or not, and IIRC it's in (or used to be in) the fitting instructions for the ES9000's.

You dont have to take the turrets off.
Just unbolt the shock top & bottom, remove the spring and pull the shock out

No you don't have to, but I will always try to remove the turret if I only want to change the shocker, especially with +3" springs!!  
Plus it's easier to install the gas shocks by lowering them in through the top and compressing the shock using the turret rather than trying to get the spring over a fully extended shock then trying to compress the shock and position both top & bottom fittings.

Everyone has thier own way, I just find it easier for me.  

[imspanners]

There's no need to prime them, they're gas shocks. You only need to prime oil filled shockers.  

I've always primed them, gas or not, and IIRC it's in (or used to be in) the fitting instructions for the ES9000's.

You prime oil filled dampers, as leaving them standing on a shelf can cause any trapped air bubbles to settle in the middle of the shock.

Where are the air bubbles in the gas shocks, they're already full of air ie.gas  

lol  

[Budgie]

But even gas shocks have oil in them, your just adding gas instread of air to reduce the aeration of this fluid to maintain the performance of the shocker for longer.

Taken from the Pro Comp website:

Twin Tube - Gas Charged Design
The development of gas charged shock absorbers was a major advance in ride control technology. This advance solved many ride control problems which occurred due to an increasing number of vehicles using uni-body construction, shorter wheelbases and increased use of higher tire pressures.

The design of twin tube gas charged shock absorbers solves many of today's ride control problems by adding a low pressure charge of nitrogen gas in the reserve tube. The pressure of the nitrogen in the reserve tube varies from 100 to 150 psi, depending on the amount of fluid in the reserve tube. The gas serves several important functions to improve the ride control characteristics of a shock.

The prime function of gas charging is to minimize aeration of the hydraulic fluid. The pressure of the nitrogen gas compresses air bubbles in the hydraulic fluid. This prevents the oil and air from mixing and creating foam. Foam affects performance because it can be compressed - fluid can not. With aeration reduced, the shock is able to react faster and more predictably, allowing for quicker response time and helping keep the tire firmly planted on the road surface.

You didn't think gas shocks were filled with gas and nothing else did you?  :lol:

[Elmo]

Terminology bites - "gas charged" shocks are commonly referred to as "gas" shocks.....

Regardings turrets and securing rings, these parts are so cheap that if you are replacing or especially upgrading any part of your suspension for the £30 or so required why not just fit new?

[imspanners]

You didn't think gas shocks were filled with gas and nothing else did you?  :lol:

No.

The prime function of gas charging is to minimize aeration of the hydraulic fluid.

Hence why I said there's no air=gas....

Not very good at explaining myself... :roll:

I'll get my coat.  8)