Front Shock Absorbers

[David Morris]

Hi, we are busy bringing our green Javelin, NKJ 352, back to life. She's running well now, sounding lovely! One slight problem concerns the front shock absorbers. These are the short stubby ones used on the early metal-bushed front suspension system. The Jowett Part no. in my parts book is 54010.

We managed to find some spare ones, only to discover when trying to fit them that they were the wrong size. Indeed, our two spare ones are not equal in length, closed or open and are both different to the ones on the car.

Just wondering if anyone else has come across differences in length, or perhaps know equivalents we could use? I know the rear ones are equivalents to ones used on early Series LandRovers.

All the best,

David

[Robin Fairservice]

What year is your Javelin? I have a 1950 model, with the 1950 Parts book and the number there is 52584. I replaced my front shock absorbers from the New Zealand JOC parts people. The bottom mounting was different, but they supplied easy to do instructions.

[David Morris]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for your reply. This Javelin is 1950, just when they introduced full hydraulic brakes. Jowett's seem to use 50xxx for early part numbers, 52xxx for mid-range and 54xxx for later items. So, maybe this explains the three types of shock absorber we have found?

Many thanks,

David

[Robin Fairservice]

If you have the short stubby shock absorbers, then I would guess that they are the same as mine were. The only difference with the new ones is that I had to remove the lower base, but was able to mount the shocks them using existing bolt holes. Neil Moore is my main contact in New Zealand and is is a mine of information on Jowett parts.

[Robin Fairservice]

I have been looking at the Jowett Car Club publication, "Technical Information for The Javelin" which I believe was produced by the East Anglia Section. I have issue # 5 dated 28/04/2002. I downloaded it from the JOC site. In that is a great detail on everything, and it includes the Service Bulletins. Service Bulletin # 29 dated 29 September 1950 deals with Shock Absorbers and it states that a new type of shock absorber was fitted from engine # EO/PB 9877. The next reference is in Service Bulletin # 54, dated July 1951 and it refers to an increase in shock absorber strength.

I note that my car (#10010) was shipped from England to Vancouver on August 21, 1950, thus predating the service bulletin # 29!!

It would therefore appear that both of our cars were fitted with the same shock absorbers.

[Robin Fairservice]

I was talking to Neil Moore in New Zealand last night and he said that Bill Lock has suitable Javelin front shock absorbers. The NZ would would probably be too expensive in the UK due to postage and UK import duties.

[David Morris]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the info. I shall contact Bill Lock and it seems wise to measure the lengths of the ones on the car, open and closed, when ordering, as there are clearly different versions.

Many thanks,

David

[Keith Clements]

Do not assume the ones on the car are correct! Jowetts have had a long life....