[MrRocky]

Okay, so ive previously had a lifted 2011 swb gv with dobinsons susp and was quite happy with it and malaga susp who fitted the kit.
A work colleague had the same kit fitted to his upon my reccomendation and has had a few issues.

Firstly they have quite clearly hit the strut with a mallet to try and get the tyre to clear (was no issues with tyres fitted to the standard susp previously)
Secondly he has picked the car up with the tyre touching the strut, i have just fitted a 5mm autobahn spacer for him to stop any rubbing so he can actually drive the car.
Thirdly there seems massive positive camber on the rear wheels that will apparently settle in and correct itself.

Overall im pretty disgusted at the level of service provided and a dobinsons product that now seems to not fit the car its marketed at. Tyres are 245/75r15 that was the same tyre i ran with my kit some years ago without issue.
Has the strut changed or have they possibly sent the wrong strut for an 07 gv ?

[atari4x4]

Stock rims?

That’s pretty poor form, heaps of people are running the same combo with standard rims with no issues.

The rear camber should have come back within spec with the factory camber adjustment, unless it’s running the load rated springs in the rear?

[MrRocky]

Yeah stock rims
Standard lift springs in the rear not the hd
Might contact dobinsons and see how it plays out, it is there product after all

[atari4x4]

Something isn’t right, as far as I know Dobinson only have 1 listing for front struts.

[vet 180]

MrRocky wrote:

Okay, so ive previously had a lifted 2011 swb gv with dobinsons susp and was quite happy with it and malaga susp who fitted the kit.
A work colleague had the same kit fitted to his upon my reccomendation and has had a few issues.

Firstly they have quite clearly hit the strut with a mallet to try and get the tyre to clear (was no issues with tyres fitted to the standard susp previously)
Secondly he has picked the car up with the tyre touching the strut, i have just fitted a 5mm autobahn spacer for him to stop any rubbing so he can actually drive the car.
Thirdly there seems massive positive camber on the rear wheels that will apparently settle in and correct itself.

Overall im pretty disgusted at the level of service provided and a dobinsons product that now seems to not fit the car its marketed at. Tyres are 245/75r15 that was the same tyre i ran with my kit some years ago without issue.
Has the strut changed or have they possibly sent the wrong strut for an 07 gv ?

Could the tires be a 'big 245' causing the issues?

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[MrRocky]

Nah they are only a hankook all terrain, the 245 i had were bighorns with alot more sidewall width.
Seems odd that they fit without rubbing on a stock susp car, add 50mm offeoad lift kit and get less tyre clearance

[fordem]

There's something wrong with that tire sizing - as far as I know, 15 rims won't clear the front brakes - my 2005 JB came with 225/65R17 as the OEM size, if I assume 245/75R17, the tire will be 10mm closer sideways, and 37mm taller - that's going to make for a very close fit to the OEM struts, and I wouldn't be surprised if it did touch the strut - here's my question for you - was the car driven in to the fitter on those tires?

As for 50mm lift not providing any additional clearance - the lift comes from a stiffer spring located between the spring seats - the lower spring seat doesn't move relative to the axle, so there is no increase in clearance, but I certainly would not have expected less.

Dobinson's can take the position that the lift supplied lifts the car as advertised - your choice of tire is the cause of the problem, in fact, using the details from my vehicle and assuming a 245/75R17, you've increased the tire size by just short of three inches, which I think is over what's considered legal, so I would not be surprised if they did.

[MrRocky]

Apologies tyre size is 245/75r16 blame my fat fingers for the typo.
Yes car was driven around for weeks on that size tyre with zero issue. The rims are standard 16" steel grand vitara.

[atari4x4]

I know the lower spring seat on the front struts is physically positioned higher on the strut body when comparing to a stock strut.

[MrRocky]

There would be no issue if it was positioned higher than a stock strut. The stock strut lower spring mount must be positioned higher or the tyres would have previously rubbed.
I will take some comparison measurements over the weekend. I will also measure another new dobinsons strut at suzistore to see if there is a descrepancy

[vet 180]

MrRocky wrote:

There would be no issue if it was positioned higher than a stock strut. The stock strut lower spring mount must be positioned higher or the tyres would have previously rubbed.
I will take some comparison measurements over the weekend. I will also measure another new dobinsons strut at suzistore to see if there is a descrepancy

Ok if the tires were on the stock strut and fitted then something is clearly not right with the strut. Out of interest are both sides the same or only one?

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[Joe]

I remember reading on one of the fb groups someone asked for dobbinsons springs and strutts to be fitted was told that what the shop had done but was some cheap stuff off ebay can't remember any other details, are you sure there dobbinsons strutts?

[MrRocky]

Ok... so upon measuring the dobinsons strut vs stock strut
The dobinsons lower spring retaining cup sits a good 5mm + lower than on a stock gv strut.
It would appear someone has welded it on too low ffs.
Off to measure some struts suzistore has in stock tomorrow to see if the issue is accross the board or just a dodgy pair or struts.

[MrRocky]

Both sides rub

[fordem]

MrRocky wrote:

The dobinsons lower spring retaining cup sits a good 5mm + lower than on a stock gv strut.

This I would say is reason for Dobinsons to provide replacements that match, at least dimensionally, since the valving would/should be different.

Send them a picture, and include a measuring tape as a reference point - dodgy pair or across the board - it's still their problem, and their responsibility to make it right.

[vet 180]

fordem wrote:

MrRocky wrote:

The dobinsons lower spring retaining cup sits a good 5mm + lower than on a stock gv strut.

This I would say is reason for Dobinsons to provide replacements that match, at least dimensionally, since the valving would/should be different.

Send them a picture, and include a measuring tape as a reference point - dodgy pair or across the board - it's still their problem, and their responsibility to make it right.

This.



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[MrRocky]

Measured the new dobo struts at suzistore and they are identical to stock measurements.
Seems just copped a dud pair. Hopefully get a resolution come monday

[MrRocky]

So... malaga springs have the car and after pulling the struts to compare with stock ones and to a new pair they have its been concluded the dobinsons strut (lower spring cup) sits 10mm lower than the standard strut.
Dobinsons have said this should not be the case so somethings gone wrong in there manufacturing process it would seem.
For now more waiting on dobinsons to see if they can provide a correct pair of struts, if not looks like refund and ironman struts will be happening.

[MrRocky]

Seems its within dobinsons specs to sit the spring cup 10+ mm lower than on a standard strut.

So if you want to run a 245/75r16 on a grand vitara leave the standard suspension in or buy an ironman kit.

And definately check the google reviews on malaga springs and suspension before you choose them to touch your car.what a nightmare

[fordem]

So they told you this ...

MrRocky wrote:

Seems its within dobinsons specs to sit the spring cup 10+ mm lower than on a standard strut.

After telling you this ...

MrRocky wrote:

Dobinsons have said this should not be the case so somethings gone wrong in there manufacturing process it would seem.

Sounds like a cop out to me, and not what I expected from Dobinsons, although, to be honest, I've only dealt with the folks at Dobinsons USA, who I suspect, despite the name, are just resellers.

[MrRocky]

Yeah basically spent a week on the phone to dobinsons and 4 trips back to malaga to get nowhere.
When i told dobinsons that i drove the car there with the 245's on standard suspension and zero rub, then picked the car up $1880 later with there kit fitted and the tyres touching their struts. They seemed shocked and every time i rang them said it should not be the case, but looks like its in everyones too hard basket to come up with a solution.
Guess will just have to pay more $$$ for a pair of ironman struts and put the dobinsons ones in the bin

[missmyljdaze]

MrRocky wrote:

Guess will just have to pay more $$$ for a pair of ironman struts and put the dobinsons ones in the bin

if Dobbys are not fit for purpose and refuse to refund or rectify = call to consumer affairs [or whatever they are called this week] and see if that makes them pick up thier act