I've been quoted £100.68+vat each for TEMS shocks for a Townace (non OEM). Anyone know cheaper? (UK)

- (#11024) Ian Dunse, 7 Oct 03 3:00

Hello Ian.
You seem to be having a mare with shocks at the moment. I notice that BBC spares have bushes at £10 each, and front tems shocks for £58. And they are listed as new, and in stock. Their phone number is 01923 839966
Hope that's ground you have not covered before.
regards
dave Bright

- (#11025) dave Bright, 7 Oct 03 5:25

Hmm didn't think of asking Bill. I notice it doesn't mention TEMS on his list. I'll make enquiries. Thanks Dave.

Ian

- (#11026) Ian Dunse, 7 Oct 03 5:50

Hi there, does anyone can recommend alternative shock absorber in place of the original TEMS shocks. I plan to replace it with ordinary gas shock without TEMS connection on the top of it. Does it will affect the TEMS controller? How to disable it?
Thanks.
Willie

- (#11123) willie, 9 Oct 03 7:32

AFAIK the actuator doesn't have any position sensing, so there shouldn't be a problem disconnecting or indeed removing it...

- (#11124) david miller, 9 Oct 03 8:50

Yes I would agree. Easy to remove the actuator and replace with none TEMS shocks. The rear would no doubt still work as TEMS if you only wanted to replace the front ones or vice versa.

Well I've just picked up my rear shock bushes and they look as though they will fit the front. Diameter measurements are the same although the depth/width is much bigger, but should be a good thing if the shock decides to move about a bit. Only thing is it doesn't seem to be as hard as I thought it would be. I'll see how it performs after fitting this weekend.

As for TEMS and none TEMS. For front TEMS shocks I've been quoted £100+vat by a Jap Import specialist who usually well undercuts the dealer and £92+vat by my dealer (?). I've not shopped around but Clive claims he can lay his hands on non-TEMS shocks for £40 each.

So the multi-million dollar question is 'Is TEMS worth paying more than double the price for?'

If one assumes that a non-TEMS shock is setup to be equivalent to the 'hard' setting on TEMS, then does a non-TEMS shock give a harder ride because for the majority of time the setting with TEMS is 'soft'?

As the suspension setup on the Townace is pretty shite anyway by the fact you feel all the lumps and potholes, is non-TEMS going to make life worse and so making the extra investment of about £140 worthwhile?

Dunno. Anyone tried it and can quote from experience? Willie, are you going to give it a go? Please let us know the outcome if you do.

- (#11125) Ian Dunse, 10 Oct 03 8:35

Just a note on the pothole noise being magnified.
I followed Arshad's tip and used cut pieces of a 'Wickes' bitumastic type roofing roll as sound absorbsion pads - sticks to itself also for areas requiring a thicker pad - (use heat to semi melt the underside before laying - and don't lay over rust or suspect surfaces)
I must admit that I did also double up with rubber backed jute under the carpet
Anyway - bumps that used to have me worrying about my teeth shattering are now transversed with no more worry than a standard car - part of the import problem (I think) is that they are not covered with the tons of mastic like underseal to absorb the noise etc.
Definately worth a try by anyone irritated by pothole/rail crossing noise

- (#11126) chris turner, 10 Oct 03 9:41

Recenctly hit a small gate stop & tore a hole in my sump, then realised that the van a 2.2.diesel emina was to low at front & grounds out easy over speed bumps ect (unless im doing 1-5 mph), any way repaired sump but need new one & need shocks but where can i get them???? in uk

- (#11251) Franco norris, 17 Oct 03 8:04

Just failed MOT ! aparently anti roll bars "flapping about" I would be very grateful for a diagram/photo
so i can identify which parts need replaced.Also i need
to get a drivers side headlight for my 1988 2 litre
petrol auto surf ace special efi - its rectangular
6 1/2"x 4"Kioto type please help!

- (#11548) Colin, 5 Nov 03 14:47

E-mail me your chassis and model number and I'll tell you the part numbers and send you a diagram of the setup. Is it 2 or 4WD?

As for headlight, presumably you mean the glass. Have you tried BBCSpares?

- (#11549) Ian Dunse, 6 Nov 03 7:07