Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[emmerson]

Chris, strange that this should crop up this week. My hitch damper died back in February, and I struggled home and forgot about it till now, two weeks before Euro-jaunt 2014! Panic!
So I went to visit the alladin's cave up the road, and literally tripped over a brand new one lying on the floor, still with it's £68.00 price ticket on. However, needs must, so I picked it up, went to the pay desk, boss-lady looked at it, and said "£15.00 all right?" Sadly, there was only one, though.
Perhaps I now ought to buy a lottery ticket as my luck appears to be in just now!

[christine lowery]

hi emmerson
before you fit it
what make amd any numbers please
there are various makes i need information
thanks
chris

[emmerson]

Too late, it's on! I'll try to find the old one.
A tip for next time you're under the van: if the hitch damper has a plastic shroud over the top half, cut the bl**dy thing off! The oil leaked out of mine because road crud got trapped between the plastic and the damper, and rotted the steel, and the oil drips out, but so slowly that you don't notice till it's too late.
Second tip: I've just replaced the tyres on my van ( worn the damned things out, again!), and discovered that if you have balance weights on the back of the rim, when the suspension is fully extended the weights can catch on the spring mounting. They only just touch, so probably won't cause a problem, but it took a while to find out what was causing the noise when I replaced the wheel after adjusting the brake !
Of course this would only happen in extreme circumstances, as the wheel would probably be off the road at that point!

[christine lowery]

have fun in europe and see you in july
chris

[petejb7]

I don't know if this will help, but here is a few models with the Armstrong shock reference number. When looking for a replacement not only do you need to know the open / closed lengths & end fittings but you should also know the valve pressure i.e. the pressure it needs to both open and close the shock, this was determined by the weight of the van and the spring strength.

Sprite

Alpine 1957-62 62-2520 A T7-1019

Alpine 1963-67 S62-2606 AT7-S.1743/6

Ariel 1951-60 62-2520 AT7-1019

"400" 1960-65 S62-2600 AT7-S.1143

"400" 1965-61 S62-2601 AT7-S.174317

Countryman 1960-63 62-2520 AT7-1019 (optional extra)

Major 1955-60 -“-

“14” 1955-58 -“-

Musketeer 1959-62 -“-

Musketeer 1963-61 S62-2605 AT7-S.1743/5

Eccles Moonstone 1964-66 -“-

Eccles Sapphire 1964 S62-3220 AT9-S.2790

Countryman 1964 S65-0180 AT11-S.4382

Wayfarer 1964 -“-

Countryman 1964-61 S62-3220 AT9S-.:2790

"400" 1961-68 62-2430

Alpine 1961-68 S62-2435

Musketeer 1961-68 S62-2438

Major 1961-68 S62-2431

Bluebird

Europa I 1964-67 S62-2601 AT7-S.1743/7

Europa 11 1964-67 S62-2606 or S62-3220 AT7-S.1743/6 or AT9-S.2790

Europa III 1964-67 S62-2605 or S62-3220 AT7-S.1743/5 or AT9-S.2790

Europa Camper 1966-67 S62-2601 AT7-S.1743/7

Europa 1 1967-68 S62-2431

Europa 11 1967-68 S62-2436

Europa 111 1967-68 S62-2435

Europa Camper 1967-68 562-2431

Cheltenham

Springbok 1961-on S64-3520 AT9-S.2311

Puku 1961-on S64-3525 AT9-S.2311 /1

Sable 1961-on -“-

Waterbuck 1961-on -“-

Fawn 1963-on S64-3526 AT9-S.2311 /2

Puku 2 and 4 berth 1964-on S64-3521 AT9-S.2311 /3

All models use GT7·71050 shock absorbers as a Damper on the draw-bar.

[christine lowery]

thanks petejb7
information is the key
all these vans will need replacements soon
there ar still some old stock around but it won't last forever
and it would be a shame if we have to upgrade to new alco axels and hitches
christine

[christine lowery]

wow
did you see the pair of origonal 40 year old dampers sold on ebay for £100
chris

[christine lowery]

found on facebook another solution
[url][img][/img][/url]

[FullEnglish]

Hitch damper:

I changed the hitch damper on my 64 Sprite Alpine (B&B hitch) recently, I went to my local motorfactor, gave the old one to the chap behind the counter and he instantly recognised it as a 1970s Saab damper. Only in Sweden

Saab 99 rear shock absorber, part 443038 manufactured by KYB, available new.

Bolts right on without modification. The van tows beautifully with it.

[christine lowery]

from the Thomson caravan facebook page
use triumph tr6 front shockers slightly longer and much cheeper
christine

[christine lowery]

as we have seen replacement shockers are available although not original equipment, they fit and do the job. Both the VW T4 and Triumph TR6 shockers are around 6mm longer but are around half the price and they work.
The saab damper fits the early b&b hich with the shocker on the top
and beta and sigma hich dampers are still around at around the £70-80 pound mark
but would these fit there the same lenght
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pit-Bike-Gas-Shock-Absorber-260mm-250lbs-Adjustable-Spring-50cc-90cc-110cc-125cc-/171530404746?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item27f002438a

if we removed the springs still a damper but a lot cheeper replacement for the sigma hitch i have also found that valeryd in sweden do sigma hitch dampers hitch gator and possably the main shockers
lets keep looking and gather info
christine

[david_rachel]

That's a great find Christine, here's the link:

http://valeryd.se/index.asp?gclid=CjwKEAiAhcGjBRDot_fjjtPKrgsSJACNYh76oAnIneKA8xMXrLBlEt6XGVNU_4_hiC0jqP4CMeQ2CRoCwyvw_wcB
_________________
David Rachel
1972 Triumph 2.5PI Est Royal Blue
1968 MG 1300 Sal Connaught Green
1978 Carlight Casetta
http://carlightrestoration.blogspot.co.uk
1995 Lada Riva 1.5 Est Red

[christine lowery]

the next thing on the list is top hat bushes
Specification

CCC 6520 B&B Swinging Arm Bush Kit
B&B Replacement swinging arm bush kit, fits B&B independent suspension system, this kit will do both offside and near side suspension arms.
are these replacements for
B&B parts lish shows as below
356 157 Nylon Bush (was CC 2326) 8
13 356 158 Sleeve (was CC 2376) 4
you know you need these when your vans go's clunk clunk as it moves away

[emmerson]

Hi Chris. I used to buy these bushes from Johnnie Longden, but sadly, he allegedly sold all his B&B stock to Peaks.
Peaks didn't really want to know when I tried them a year or two ago. Basically the impression they gave was that the stuff was in a heap in the middle of the floor, and they didn't have anyone to sort it.
If you find any bushes, I need some, please.

[christine lowery]

http://www.caravanparts.co.uk/classic-caravan-suspension-c-297_299.html
i thik these will fit
christine