Monotube Shock Absorbers

[replicant]

The BF range of Falcons was originally slated to have monotube shock absorbers sourced from Delphi but this was apparently pulled at the last minute (relegating a whole pile of engineering work and a ton of cash to the rubbish skip). Sources suggest it was something to do with quality issues in mass production but the change would have made significant improvements to the ride/handling characteristics (and possibly geometry) of the suspension systems and really complemented the refinement changes (as well as the adoption of the ZF 6FAT transmission into the premium models).

In the recent news, Delphi's turned up with semi-active monotube systems for the Ferrari 599 and certain GM products (Delphi was a spin off from GM although GM is still partly responsible for Healthcare and retirement costs for Delphi as I understand is causing some of the financial issues)...

Here's a couple of links about their systems... maybe the semi-active system wasn't for the BF and it was confined to a change from twin to mono tube shockers but can't help thinking what might have been (or to come next year for the BF update)...

http://delphi.com/pdf/ppd/chsteer/sus_bsrtdm.pdf

http://wardsautoworld.com/ar/auto_ferrari_picks_magneride/

[Phido]

I think we will see the monotube stuck in the BF II end of this year to help combat the VE.

[freaky]

I think we will see the monotube stuck in the BF II end of this year to help combat the VE.

←

Would it be possible to fit these to the BF, if they are released with the BFII ?

[replicant]

As I don't have access to a BFII prototype or blueprints, it's pretty unlikely I can give you an answer. I would imagine that to take advantage of characteristics of the monotubes, there could conceivably be a change in geometry (I can't see major parts changing like the arms but I can see bushes changing). I don't see the major parts changing with the tooling costs as BF2 will be a 18 month stop gap until the next generation Falcon in mid 2008?

If the bushes or an arms does change, this wouldn't be a straight swap... have to wait until they release it before this can be determined....

[freaky]

I think we will see the monotube stuck in the BF II end of this year to help combat the VE.

←

Would it be possible to fit these to the BF, if they are released with the BFII ?

←

Its interesting to speculate what may happen.

I have been wondering about DSC on FPV's as well. If the BFII has DSC, will this simply be a change/flash to ABS module to version 8 on current BF's.

I have heard that all the sensors/hardware for DSC is already there, but not enabled in FPV's.

Edited 31/05/06 05:28 AM by freaky

[xlnt6]

The BF range of Falcons was originally slated to have monotube shock absorbers sourced from Delphi but this was apparently pulled at the last minute (relegating a whole pile of engineering work and a ton of cash to the rubbish skip). Sources suggest it was something to do with quality issues in mass production

A friend of mine is involved with some of the test trials on the FPVs, etc, and he said that after the extended road testing it was noticed that the shocks were beginning to leak. They pull the cars apart and check for premature failures, etc following testing. So they did some checks on low km test mules and found that the same thing on cars with only a few thousand kms. As a result the monotube design was scrapped and all the shocks returned to the OEM. Ouch !!!!

Currently there is no intention to change the shocks, it maybe looked again with the new Orion platform Falcon (ie 2008 onwards).

Cheers

Robin.

[Phido]

That is hugely disapointing.

Even if they only appeared on certain models that would be better than nothing.

A uprated suspension package would be a conciderable upgrade and would provide a reason for previous BA/BF owners to jump back into a Ford again. One hopes they are just changing manufacturer and some sort of enhanced suspension package will appear with improved NVH, better grip and handling.

Otherwise BFII is going to be a pretty weak upgrade, not enough to keep VE at bay.

The problem with FPV is that they run a diffrent brake caliper to the XR's and regular falcons. With them currently running several diffrent packages (small brembo + standard rear and big brembo and big brembo) its too much development. They need to unify the brake packages utilise the same brembo calipers across the range.

[xlnt6]

The OEM supplier of the monotubes and current design twin tube shock is Delphi and they have effectively gone belly up. As such Ford have dumped them for supply in the future. Hence there is no intention to redesign the current suspension til the Orion arrives. At that point a new supplier will be found, so you don't know how Ford will go.

Let hope they go for something from the Boge, Koni, etc end of the spectrum rather than the Munroe GT end of the range !!!

Cheers

Robin.

[freaky]

The OEM supplier of the monotubes and current design twin tube shock is Delphi and they have effectively gone belly up. As such Ford have dumped them for supply in the future. Hence there is no intention to redesign the current suspension til the Orion arrives. At that point a new supplier will be found, so you don't know how Ford will go.

Let hope they go for something from the Boge, Koni, etc end of the spectrum rather than the Munroe GT end of the range !!! 

Cheers

Robin.

←

I heard Delphi was in trouble financially. Where does that leave Holden, especially as there has been rumour of HSV using Magneride ?

[saleen]

Ferrari borrowing from Chevrolet? It has to be a first. Maybe "borrowing" is too strong a word. "Sharing" is probably more accurate.

We're talking about the new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano's suspension system and its use of Magneto-rheological (MR) shocks. They allow split-second adjustments by controlling an electrical current which flows through the fluid in the shock absorbers. It's a high-tech answer to an old problem, and one of the first production cars to use it was the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette (the Cadillac STS was the other). Ferrari claims the MR suspension system gives the new 599 a safer and more enjoyable driving experience by reducing roll and improving cornering grip. GM made similar claims back in 2003.