AST Shocks - does anyone have first hand experience with these?

[m3f_fsmtnbiker]

Did you not lock the collars down after you ruined one rim? Fool me once, fool me twice...


Those adjusting collars suck, but once you know that it's not an extremely complex problem to solve. Just tighten them down really f'ing tight... Or don't use them.


I've personally had no issues with my AST shocks, neither the 4200s that I had (and put 80k+ miles on) nor the current 4100s that have 20k on them. But, I also don't tend to bend wheels or break shock towers either - so maybe I'm just more careful than most people (on and off track.)

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

It's like talking to a brick wall with a superiority complex.



haha... as someone else mentioned to me, you have the worst case of napoleon complex.



:kittyshifty:

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

Did you not lock the collars down after you ruined one rim? Fool me once, fool me twice...



Those adjusting collars suck, but once you know that it's not an extremely complex problem to solve. Just tighten them down really f'ing tight... Or don't use them.



I've personally had no issues with my AST shocks, neither the 4200s that I had (and put 80k+ miles on) nor the current 4100s that have 20k on them. But, I also don't tend to bend wheels or break shock towers either - so maybe I'm just more careful than most people (on and off track.)



and Chris... IIRC 6ft/lbs is not very tight. When you torque them to AST specs, after making a HUGE deal about NOT overtorquing them, and not warranting any work if u did, it was pretty easy for them to turn.



My two ruined rims were at the same time. Didnt fool me twice.



I'm more than capable of figuring out a basic suspension system. Dont start being an Andrew. It's not becoming of you

[m3f_Blanchimont]

It's like talking to a brick wall with a superiority complex.


I normally dont participate in this, primarily because my knowledge is limited, still learning. But from what I have seen over the 3-4 years being here, I dont think anyone here has a superiority complex.


Specially the experienced guys, most of them are always around and helpful:twocents:

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

message from Andjoo's favorite friend


I've had my AST's for over 3 years, and was one of the first guys around

here to have them. I praised their song for quite some time, and really

did love them. They do ride amazingly well for the spring rates compared

to other dampers, and I believe when paired with lower spring rates

they'd probably be one of the most comfortable dampers on the market. I

feel like they were a huge upgrade from my Ground Control Track/School

kit, and they're still on my car. Furthermore, AST has been amazing in

their customer support towards me and have overnighted me "loaner

shocks" while mine were being rebuilt, and always pick up the phone when

I called (can't say the same for GC, it took me 3 months of emailing and

calling before I gave up on rebuilding my old GC's). I've never been

charged for any of the work that was performed either, although some

others have.


That being said, the 4100's are FAR from problem free, and

it had NOTHING to do with user installed error. My first problem was the

knuckle attachment point on the passenger side that ovaled out and

caused a clunk after the bolt being torqued to spec. I shipped both back

and got new ones with the updated design, which also included newly

designed sway bar brackets. That same season, I had one of these "new"

sway bar brackets loosen and rotate, taking out a brand new Star Spec.

Enter the third sway bar bracket redesign. Next season, one of my shocks

had 'topped out' because I ran my ride heights too high. They rebuilt

them again under warranty, and sold me a kit to rectify this issue. At

the end of last season, during an auto-x run, the sway bar bracket

loosened up AGAIN and took out another brand new Star Spec, and also

damaged my new CCW.


I parked the car for the winter and haven't touched

it until recently. I finally got my new Star Spec in the mail today

actually and am hoping my local custom wheel shop will be able to repair

my CCW. At this point I don't have any other choice but to continue

running the AST's due to personal reasons, but am sending both back to

get a fourth sway bar bracket update along with checking out the

passenger strut which has started to clunk.


Andrew claims I've never had any problems with mine, however that's because I've been off this forum

for quite some time and never speak to him. I will say that the 4150

series does look promising, and I do love their customer support. It's a

gamble though since they're so new to the market, and if you don't have

room for a lot of downtime like I do with a second car, then TCK's might

be the better option seeing as though they've been tried and true. I'm

hoping that this will be the last time I have to send my shocks out for

a long time, as I want to love them. Only time will tell.

[m3f_jph28_9cac49dcce]

and Chris... IIRC 6ft/lbs is not very tight. When you torque them to AST specs, after making a HUGE deal about NOT overtorquing them, and not warranting any work if u did, it was pretty easy for them to turn.



My two ruined rims were at the same time. Didnt fool me twice.



I'm more than capable of figuring out a basic suspension system. Dont start being an Andrew. It's not becoming of you



:agree:



When I first installed my 4100s, within 200ft the swaybar links had rotated and (mildly, thankfully) scraped the inside of my MT1 on the passenger side. After that I tightened them WAY down with a chisel and a hammer. I've used that "method" once since then, while adjusting height, and haven't had a problem since. :thumbsup2:

[m3f_gripenM_b239ae26d4]

and Chris... IIRC 6ft/lbs is not very tight. When you torque them to AST specs, after making a HUGE deal about NOT overtorquing them, and not warranting any work if u did, it was pretty easy for them to turn.


i think he was talking about the locking rings that go on top and bottom of the

sway bar bracket.

http://vorshlag.smugmug.com/Product-Pictures/AST-4100-Shocks/DSC1840/939184670_nErRt-M.jpg


but yes the sway bar bracket itself has a nut on the other side that you tighten to only 6 ft lbs

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

when I finally got those lock rings, I put them on so damn tight, I almost couldnt get them loose later..


that was NOT the problem.

[m3f_Roland H_da3d16ded4]

AST kits did not come with the lock-rings for several years, and original purchasers had to pay a considerable amount for them when they finally did come out.

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

:agree:



When I first installed my 4100s, within 200ft the swaybar links had rotated and (mildly, thankfully) scraped the inside of my MT1 on the passenger side.



add ANOTHER ruined rim from a design failure...



that's 3 people just in this thread andrew. Enough evidence that there is an inherent DESIGN FLAW??? :laughhard:

[m3f_jph28_9cac49dcce]

add ANOTHER ruined rim from a design failure...



that's 3 people just in this thread andrew. Enough evidence that there is an inherent DESIGN FLAW??? :laughhard:



Thankfully not ruined, just aesthetically "scraped" (I was still in my neighborhood ).



Once I had those suckers seriously cranked down, like you said, I could barely get them off to adjust the ride height a few months later. I like the fact that the swaybar mounting points can be adjusted by threading up/down the shock body, but if they aren't "properly" tightened then it can be a problem.



Except for that initial mishap, they've honestly been great, problem-free performers :thumbsup2:

[m3f_camdinans3_bfa1f49a41]

Like I said. Mine haven't had any problems under the same conditions so, it is what it is.

[m3f_OahuMPower_17503f01cd]

Like I said. Mine haven't had any problems under the same conditions so, it is what it is.


very good, you are learning.


Different people have different experiences. :drums:


The forums are here for people to learn and share those different experiences

[m3f_RickO1_5a1540e0eb]

I appreciate everyone posting replies and experiences...the banter was interesting.



One thing that they are supposed to be changing on the 4150's is the swaybar mount. It's supposed to be welded on and judging from the comments I've seen, this would be a big improvement and would seem to address one of the biggest issues mentioned by you guys.



That being said, I'm probably leaning towards the TCK SA at this point. It is going to be a 99.5% street car, so the AST's would really be more than I need. When I finally pull the trigger, I'll post my experience.



Thanks again. Rick

[m3f_fsmtnbiker]

I was referring to the (terrible design) double-lockring style Swaybar mounts.


I had the original style on my 4200s, torqued them well beyond the recommended spec, and never had them move (or cause the shocks to have any other problems.)


I'm never going to argue that AST is the perfect shock - it offers great performance at a price point, and I personally have not had any reliability issues with them (or any of the 20+ kits I have sold on customer cars through our shop.)


As far as ovaling out the upper shock mounting bracket - I've seen that happen, once, and it was due to the factory washers not being installed. The Shoulder bolt bottoms out on itself and *almost* clamps on the shock, but doesn't. So you hit the torque spec, everything seems tight, then you go drive the car and ruin the shock body. Lesson learned, don't leave out parts that are required during assembly.


I'm not big on following torque specs on used/dirty fasteners either, they are rarely accurate unless you are tapping/chasing the threads every time you disassemble and reassemble components.


On topic: I think the TCKs are a great shock for a mostly-street or even 50/50 Street and Track car. Good quality, durable (as long as you don't use an impact on the strut/shock nuts), and decent ride with low spring rates. I think a double-adjustable shock from any manufacturer is a far better street shock than a single adjustable. With doubles you can really back down on the damper forces on the street and save the dampers as well as your spine.