4200 / GS Shockers

[Delmonte]

Apologies for repetition? But this subject started in the PH guide thread and I thought worthy of its own thread...

So I'm thinking of changing rear springs because back end seems too loose and wallowy, a bit bottom-outy even, with people in the back.

This got me on to thinking about shocks. The car is obvs now quite old - 2005. But low mileage at 35k.

I once changed springs, and swapped out shocks for Bilstein on a Alfa GTV and the transformation was incredible.

But the 4200 has skyhook... so excuse my ignorance but isn't that part of the actual shocker? I'd rather keep that original feature so if I changed the shocks I'd be getting rid of skyhook, no?

So that being the case, when PH are talking about changing shocks they mean deleting skyhook? And if anyone's done that, what's the effect like?
Or can the existing shocks be refurbed / serviced in some way?

Any input appreciated!

 

[HTAFC4200]

I believe my 4200 has GS springs. The handling is impressive IMHO but as its the only one I've ever driven, I can't compare I'm afraid.

 

[Zep]

Skyhook is the damper. There is a wire that comes out of the top of the damper rod which is connected to a valve in the piston deep inside the damper. The ECU pulses this valve to vary the damping effect, making the ride and handling softer or harder as dictated by the sport button and accelerometers.

So in short, if you are changing the dampers you will be changing the majority of the skyhook system.

 

[Zep]

Also, there used to be different springs for 4200 and GS, but I understand that after the facelift they were the same, but the ride height set differently. If you buy spares now, you will more than likely get GS, no matter what you had before.

 

[spkennyuk]

Apologies for repetition? But this subject started in the PH guide thread and I thought worthy of its own thread...

So I'm thinking of changing rear springs because back end seems too loose and wallowy, a bit bottom-outy even, with people in the back.

This got me on to thinking about shocks. The car is obvs now quite old - 2005. But low mileage at 35k.

I once changed springs, and swapped out shocks for Bilstein on a Alfa GTV and the transformation was incredible.

But the 4200 has skyhook... so excuse my ignorance but isn't that part of the actual shocker? I'd rather keep that original feature so if I changed the shocks I'd be getting rid of skyhook, no?

So that being the case, when PH are talking about changing shocks they mean deleting skyhook? And if anyone's done that, what's the effect like?
Or can the existing shocks be refurbed / serviced in some way?

Any input appreciated!

Try contacting these guys who were offering a refurb service for 4200/GS skyhook shocks back in 2022.

webServerInfo

 

[Delmonte]

Also, there used to be different springs for 4200 and GS, but I understand that after the facelift they were the same, but the ride height set differently. If you buy spares now, you will more than likely get GS, no matter what you had before.

As I understand, GS and 4200 springs are the same identical part. The only difference being on the GS they are pre loaded (ie squashed a bit) to alter ride height. But I stand to be corrected on that

 

[Delmonte]

Skyhook is the damper. There is a wire that comes out of the top of the damper rod which is connected to a valve in the piston deep inside the damper. The ECU pulses this valve to vary the damping effect, making the ride and handling softer or harder as dictated by the sport button and accelerometers.

So in short, if you are changing the dampers you will be changing the majority of the skyhook system.

This is where my brain cell gets strained. I always thought shocker = damper? Or the piston thing that sits inside the spring on most cars?

 

[Delmonte]

Try contacting these guys who were offering a refurb service for 4200/GS skyhook shocks back in 2022.

webServerInfo

Thanks. I just don't know if my shocks need refurb or not...

 

[spkennyuk]

As I understand, GS and 4200 springs are the same identical part. The only difference being on the GS they are pre loaded (ie squashed a bit) to alter ride height. But I stand to be corrected on that

Facelift 4200 and GS are the same part. Iirc earlier 4200 were a different part number but no longer available as superseded by the later 4200 part.

Ride height on the GS was set 10mm (i think) lower than the 4200. They can be adjusted down on the 4200 to GS height / Spec.

 

[Zep]

This is where my brain cell gets strained. I always thought shocker = damper? Or the piston thing that sits inside the spring on most cars?

The proper name for a shock absorber is a damper. It’s purpose is to damp the movement of the body which is allowed by the spring. Shock Absorber / Shocker / Damper are all the same thing.

 

[Delmonte]

The proper name for a shock absorber is a damper. It’s purpose is to damp the movement of the body which is allowed by the spring. Shock Absorber / Shocker / Damper are all the same thing.

What I thought. So to return to original questions, if I replace shockers with aftermarket ones as suggested by the PH article, I'd be deleting skyhook.

That then begs the other question. Do the existing skyhook shockers wear out in some way? And if they do, how does that manifest itself? Do they sag or go soft and wallowy, like conventional dampers can do with age?

 

[cheshiremaserati]

The shock absorbers are checked in the MOT - visually for oil leaks and then pressing each corner and releasing. Worn shock absorbers will result in car oscillating up and down on that corner due to not being able to dampen the rebound of the coil spring after compression by pushing that corner down.

 

[urquattrogus]

The best way in my opinion is to feel what they are like when off the car, worn and past it shocks don’t return or resist, they just have that treacly feel where they almost stick to a fixed position.

In fairness all of the GS I drove recently on their original shocks still felt like they had some (albeit stiff ride) dampening in them for a 15-20 year old car. Now we start to get into the realms of “we’re they always like that” or are the shocks past their best and need re-gassing/re-building?

 

[Delmonte]

On this subject, I just happened to be browsing Eurospares, like you do.
For the 2005, 4200, they list 'standard' shocks at around £200 + vat, and 'sport' ones at £900 + vat ( )
So what's that all about? Are they both skyhook? Or one is one isn't? Thought all late 4200 had skyhook anyway, which is what sport button does?

 

[Zep]

Standard is a bit of a red herring. “Standard” is not skyhook. “Sport” is skyhook. However in the U.K. skyhook was standard.

 

[allandwf]

Unless they are leaking I would leave them alone.