Doetsch Shock Comparison

January 11, 2009 - This stems from the recent discussion on the Real 4x4 Bulletin Board. A customer had reported a problem with the Doetsch shocks. As this is the first reported issue with a compression issue we did some preliminary mockup between a Used factory Pinzgauer shock, the Doetsch HV1 Rebuildable, and the Doetsch non-rebuildable. From a quick comparison it looks as though something HAS Changed with the Doetsch rebuildable. We will take this up with Doetsch and report back......Scott Ingham.


	Lets first address COMPRESSION on the non-rebuildable Doetsch. Pictured is the Factory shock and the doetsch fully compressed. We do NOT see a problem with this as the Doetsch rubber bumpstop is designed to compress, taking into account the minimal difference between the compressed lengths.
	In regards to the full extension of the Doetsch non-rebuildable in comparison to the factory limiting strap. Their is NO issue as the Doetsch will extend longer than the limiting strap and also includes an internal rubber bump stop.
	Additional extension shots of both Doetsch shocks in comparison to the factory shock and factory limit strap. No issue here.
	When comparing the Doetsch HV1 Rebuildable, there appears to be a considerable compression difference in comparision to the stock factory shock. This is the area that we are concerned about and need to determine whether or not the stock drivetrain (rubber bumpstops, spring cups, etc.) require this full compression. If the shock is the limiting factor on the suspension, Doetsch needs to assure us that the shock can withstand the rigors of becoming the axle bumpstop and negating the factory rubber bumpstop. (To be Determined.) If it turns out that like on the full extension comparison the factory shock has additional safety...ie the limiting strap bottoms before the shock which we know is the case, then this may not be an issue. Here is another way to look at it...if a stock good condition suspension bottoms out on the stock bump stops prior to the shock bottoming out...we don't have a problem. (To be Determined.)
	First testing is a 712M. We bottomed out the suspension with weight and used a forklift to make sure we were 100% bottomed out.
	Bumpstop fully collapsed. With this extreme load/articulation the most we could collapse a 712 was 13.75"
	We doubt it is likely people will be loading a 710M with over 3500 lbs of Unimog axles....but this is what we did to bottom out the suspension.
	With a 710M fully bottomed out, the minimum shock length required would have to be 14.125"