[DeTomaso] 1990 GT5S SHOCKS AND A-FRAME BUSHINGS

[Julian Kift]

Jacques at Maseratisource is usually at Concorso Italiano, I have had parts hand delivered from him in prior years, so if you were quick a fellow Pantera owner could probably get hold of them for you and ship to you. 
His website is http://www.maseratisource.com/servlet/Categories?category=DETOMASO+PANTERA and he is usually wiling to make a good deal deal outside Ebay as he saves the fees.

If you go for them the QA1 shocks come in variants of a standard bushing or heim end and in single or double adjustable, so be sure to stipulate which you want. Summit Racing sell them if you want to compare prices/part #'s etc. They will require a stepped spacer to take up the difference between the inch bushing/heim and the metric bolt, or you can drill your shock mounting points out to inch and buy an imperial bolt. The vendors are typically including the spacers with a kit I think, although I have the dimensions here should you need to fabricate some.
Julian

> From: MikeLDrew at aol.com
> Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 19:30:39 -0400
> To: Colin.Bradshaw2 at BTInternet.com; detomaso at poca.com
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] 1990 GT5S SHOCKS AND A-FRAME BUSHINGS
> 
> 
> In a message dated 8/11/13 12 20 0, Colin.Bradshaw2 at BTInternet.com writes:
> 
> 
> > Any one out there know where I can get some new replacement shock 
> > absorber top and bottom bushings for 1990 euro GT5S with factory fitted Ariston 
> > shocks...looking to replace the rear bushings now and know doubt the front 
> > within weeks as the rebuild job progresses.
> > 
> > I will also want new set of A-Frame bushes, what is the preference for 
> > replacements at present?
> > 
> > Ideally I would like to keep OE if possible because I have been happy with 
> > the car for 23 years.
> > 
> > Comments appreciated, thanks in anticipation
> > 
> 
> >>>Hi Colin,
> 
> Factory shock bushings are outrageously expensive:
> 
> http://www.panterapartsusa.com/cgi-bin/detail.cgi?prod_id=02008B
> 
> That's $43.97 EACH.   Or over $700 for a full set of 16.   And you're left 
> with cheap, non-adjustable, heavy, 30-year-old shocks (because it's likely 
> your shocks are L-model leftovers from 1974).   Too, the stock shock bushings 
> are not very robust, and some (bottom front I believe?) will pound 
> themselves to oblivion in fairly short order.
> 
> I think Jack has had success extending the service life of stock bushings 
> by pressing them out, and rotating them 180 degrees.   Some will only be 
> mildly distorted, and rotating them allows the forces to be applied to the other 
> side.   But if some of yours are well and truly hammered, those (at least) 
> should be replaced.
> 
> For not much more, you could (and arguably should) step up to some quality 
> aftermarket shocks, which have numerous advantages--lighter, smaller, 
> ride-height-adjustable (at least).   There are some that are to be avoided at all 
> costs (Aldan), but the QA1 setup that Wilkinson sells is quite good, and you 
> simply can't beat the Koni setup from Pantera East or Pantera Performance 
> Center (IMHO) although they are more expensive at $1200-1300 or so.
> 
> Another viable alternative, if cost is an issue, would be to buy 
> polyurethane replacements for the stock shock bushings.   These are also outrageously 
> expensive (for what they are), at something like $250 for a full set, from 
> Pantera Performance Center or Pantera Parts Connection.
> 
> As for the A-arm bushings, Maseratisource on E-bay has the best deal going, 
> especially right now with some Monterey sales in effect.   You may be 
> fortunate enough to buy a complete suspension kit (all A-arm bushings, six ball 
> joints, and a pair of tie rod ends) for $200-300, which is less than a single 
> ball joint may cost elsewhere.   Alternately, you might be able to make a 
> deal for just the A-arm bushings if that's all you need.
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> Mike
> _______________________________________________
> 
> Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
> 
> DeTomaso mailing list
> DeTomaso at poca.com
> http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso