I think it's time to change all my shox and I wanted to know if I'm right in saying that Tokico are the only ones that keep the electonic rear actuators working? If that's the case, can I get adjustable ones?

 

If I go with a different make, what happens to these actuators? are they just disconnected?

 

Thanks

 

Vijay

Vijay

I replaced the rears with stock Tokico rears from Nissan. Until I got the new ones I had no idea they were adjustable. With 18" wheels I find the ride more than stiff enough and when you do the handbrake up a notch trick to make the actuators stiffen the rears up its stiff enough to addle yer kidneys. Might be fine for the track tho.

 

I think some of the multi adjustable types need you to be able to get at manual adjusters either through the rear trims - ie cut holes or from underneath. I dont think you can use the actuators any more. I fitted 5 position shocks on another car I had many moons ago and found that anything other than the softest setting was just plain uncomfortable if you use the car for normal commuting etc. My 2p worth is unless you are a track day fanatic you'll leave em on soft or softish permanently and forget all that macho stiffness you just bought. I did! With new stock ones I dont think there is much wrong with the handling. They probably last 80k - 100k too.

Maybe also you need to think insurance - I mean does non stock shocks constitute yet another mod the insurer wants another premium for?

 

Willie

Cheers WIllie,

 

I spoke to Mike Feeney today who said that although the actuators are there, they are not connected up????????? very strange.

 

My car is just used for normal driving (if you can call driving a z normal), so I might just look into stock shox then.

 

Cheers

 

Vijay

On TTs the actuators are defo connected up. The diagnostic is to put the handbrake on with ignition on. If you bounce the rear you should feel it stiffen. You can pull up the handbrake one notch to get the light on and feel it while driving as well.

I fitted the shocks myself and saw that it is connected and works. On US cars there is a switch to put it in sport mode. Not 100% sure on imports tho.

Willie

No actuators on import shocks.

 

IIRC US models have actuators on front and rear shocks and are switchable, UK/(Eur?) models only have them on the rear shocks and are activated by a switch in the handbrake mechanism.

any idea how difficult it would to wire up actuators on the fronts?

 

Vijay

Probably pretty straightforward, but first you'd have to get front shocks with actuators. Would be much simpler to buy adjustable shocks (and it's only the damping that is adjusted) like Tokicos etc and just use a screwdriver when you fancy a change.

Andy,

 

I like the idea of being able to change settings from inside the car. Any idea on wiring? I looked in the manual and there is a controller unit before the actuators.

 

Cheers

 

Vijay

Sorry, no - I'd need to find out what the control unit does. However, if whatever is used to change the rears is in place then you may be able to connect that up to the fronts as well.