[DeTomaso] Aldan shock leak report

Pantdino pantdino at aol.com
Thu Aug 26 17:57:43 EDT 2010


I think your experience of shocks leaking in the box puts the matter to rest-- Aldan has a problem with the seal material or other design issues.

There have been many millions of cars made which use telescopic shocks and the leak rate is negligible.

Jim






-----Original Message-----
From: wkooiman at earthlink.net
To: DeTomaso List <detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Thu, Aug 26, 2010 6:19 am
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Aldan shock leak report


So, Aldans don't like to sit, but Konis don't seem to have a problem?
If that's accurate, what's different?
It sounds like you're getting excellent customer service, but it also sounds 
ike they have quality issues.  It could be a design flaw or perhaps poor 
uality of the parts - i.e. seals.  Were Aldans intended to be used on the 
treet?  I bet they have the standard disclaimer, but that doesn't mean they 
an't build them to OEM specs, and just skip the certification process.
BTW, my Konis came with sphere ball ends that can't be overtightened.  I don't 
now if they came that way or if Quella installed the ends.

----Original Message-----
From: John McKee <johnmckee at cox.net>
Sent: Aug 26, 2010 2:53 AM
To: DeTomaso List <detomaso at realbig.com>
Subject: [DeTomaso] Aldan shock leak report

Last week I was finally getting around to installing my Aldan shocks (purchased 
8 months ago) and when I pulled them out of the box they all had a small drop 
f oil leaking out of the shaft area.  Friday I took them up to Aldan in Carson 
A and met with Ferrell.  He took one look and said they should not be leaking 
t all.  They rebuilt them Monday and called me to pick them up free of charge.  
he Aldan shock company gets a perfect 10 on customer service!

Now, why did they leak?  Ferrell's answer was that the shocks don't like to 
it.  My first thought was that sitting 18 months in a cool dark garage is not 
n extended storage time but we are talking about rubber seals.  Really no 
ifferent than all of the other rubber hoses and seals on our cars, sitting just 
ccelerates the break down process.  Mad Dawg reports no leaks on his Aldans and 
nlike me he drives, races and even lights his car on fire occasionally.  So I 
hink that point is valid that the shocks need to have movement on a regular 
asis to keep the seals lubed.  Ferrell suggested that if your car has been 
itting you can just push it up and down a few times to keep the seals happy.

Next I asked him what causes the failures that I have been hearing about and he 
aid most every time it is either the shocks were over tightened and could not 
ove properly or the suspension travel is not correct and the shocks are 
ottoming out or over extending.  As Mike Thomas wrote earlier in the month the 
ushing should not spin in the shock, the bushing should spin on the inner 
leeve.   There is not a torque spec, Ferrell just said it needs to be snug.  
ee Mike's description for tightening and checking bushing movement;
http://realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2010-August/125256.html

To check the shock travel he suggested putting a plastic zip tie on the shaft 
nd drive around.  If it is buried all the way at the top of the shaft you are 
ottoming out.  If it has only moved 1/2" then you do not have enough travel.

On my visits to Aldan I didn't sense any conspiracy or cover up of bad 
roducts.  They seem to really believe in their work and obviously stand behind 
t.

John

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