Suplex suspension - my experience(it's not good!).

In retrospect, swapping subframes would have been easier!

The laughable part is the MD's statement -' We are spring makers...'
...and the part causing the major difficulties was... THE SPRINGS!

Suplex should have done their research and development thoroughly in the first place. Even if the rear canisters on the front make it drivable, I would not be happy, having a set up which was never 'designed' to used like this.

It didn't sound good having to use spacers under the cannisters but it all sounds very dubious now.

The Aus Version, Coil Conversion Kit had loads of adjustment room and the ones who fitted them had theirs high to cope with rough roads. Reading the thread again it also looks like a better engineered solution.

link to GIR's thread

I thought that Suplex had already confirmed that the previous front cannisters were faulty?

"Suplex have tried the returned front canisters and, apparently, they clonk and will only adjust to 350mm. So it wasn't just me then! They are currently stripping them down to find the problem(s)."

You never had knuckle problems with the Hydragas units on the car, the only thing that has changed is the Suplex supplied units? I do not understand the reply sent to you. Why have they not sent you replacement front units?

This has been a disgraceful performance from a specialised supplier of expensive parts the MG community and I am glad that you have brought it to our attention.

:sick: I am however very saddened reading this thread David, this has been a real nightmare, a very long drawn out, nightmare :bang:

In summary I think the attitude of Suplex stinks and the MG community need to know and will, more than likely, vote with their wallets. If Suplex think they can simply ignore customers and try and get away with selling a product, which is basically not fit for purpose, they deserve to have all MGF owners made aware of the problems.

You could always go down the small claims court route, as I believe you do have a strong case and have documented each dealing with them in writing.

I came across this thread on the MGF Register about 'clunking Suplex suspension'.

click here to view

So your experience appears to be the norm with just one or two exceptions.

Any news from suplex yet David?

Lets hope dazlightyear's work better

Psymon wrote: Any news from suplex yet David?

Not a sausage! They are not responding to my emails.

I have a pair of NOS front spheres that I was thinking of selling.
Looks like I had better hang onto them and hunt down a pair of rears as well.

alanrt54 wrote: Lets hope dazlightyear's work better

The amount of R&D David has had to put in to getting the Suplex kit to give anything like a decent ride :bang: , I reckon he's become quite an expert and should look at producing his own kit or helping Daryl with his.

Hi David,
Thank you for posting your experiences.
I to have gone the Suplex route and have experienced similar problems.
Due to the age of my car and the fact I was spending so much on the suspension units I opted to replace all the bushes with Poly bushes, all the knuckle joints and track control joints.
I noticed that on the rear suspension units that if you tried to get the standard ride height the spring rate would get progressively softer the more adjustment I used (very strange), so ultimately I settled for a lower ride height.
First drive, both the front units were so noisy I thought I'd not tightened up the sub-frame bolts (removed for the bush replacement) and of course the car handled like a pig (tracking not yet done). I gradually achieved an even ride height with a slight reduction in noise.
After having the 4-wheel tracking done, the noise disappeared on the right hand side but is still evident on the left. Interestingly the camber on the noisy side is -0'59' (in spec) whilst the quiet side is -1'33' slightly out of spec. Not sure if it's connected though.
I'd be interested to hear how you solved your issues using the rears on the front.
Cheers

It is really worrying that this problem is more widespread than Suplex are willing to admit. Are you still on contact with Suplex concerning your problems?

Its a shame these seem to be causing so much trouble. I noticed that the MGOC is selling this kits so I would have thought they would have some feedback on them.

http://www.mgocspares.co.uk/acatalog/MGOC_SPARES_SUSPENSION___STEERING_940.html

I've not yet contacted Suplex, I bought the units from Brown & Gammons so I'm waiting for their reply. One thing I found strange is why the hydra-gas units have a secondary spring between the slipper joint and the sphere, I'm wondering what the main purpose is. The other thing I was surprised at with the Suplex unit is the loose fit it has on the slipper joint spigot, I would have expected a tighter fit considering the lateral forces etc. I've also noticed the damper bush walking as you describe. As you say It is worrying that this seems to a relatively common fault.