Shock Absorbers for Dynamic Handling Pack (DHP)

[Swan55]

We have a 1998 LS400 with approx 177k miles, that we've enjoyed for the last 12 years. According to the documentation it was originally specified with the Dynamic Handling Pack (DHP) option.

Does anybody have any experience with sourcing replacement shock absorbers for the front. (the springs are ok).

Our mechanic has tried fitting the normal non-dhp absorbers but they do not fit  (not long enough at the top).

All advice appreciated.

many thanks

Swan

 

[Malc1]

Nigel hi.  You have a very rare sought after car 👍

enjoyed 12 years of sublime motoring I’m sure and someone is bound to pop along soon with useful advice 

Malc 

[Malc1]

🤔  maybe you could ask. Steve2006    on here for his thoughts 

Malc 

[BigBoomer]

You may need to replace the top mount as well to be able to use standard shock absorbers.
The DHP top mount will be a different shape from the standard one.
Nobody seems to have documented exactly how the DHP shocks differed from the standard ones.

[rich1068]

And as far as I'm aware they're as rare as rocking horse poop.

[Swan55]

Thank you all,

 

Malcolm: I suspect that I have miscalculated, and actually had the car 14 years !   using it as my daily driver.  It has been a lovely experience, albeit frustrating at times.   As you suggested, I have sent Steve a message.

George: I suspect that you are correct about a different shaped top mount.  Our mechanic and us kept trying to use the 'normal' model absorbers, forgetting the DHP complication, only to turn away bewildered and convinced that our suppliers 'must' have sent the wrong parts or otherwise the parts had been mislabelled !  duuh = our bad.

Unfortunately, neither of us had the sense to just double check what the part number was on the absorbers coming off - as we could then have probably just ordered a straight replacement.   Oh it's so easy with hindsight.  Our (14 years) mechanic is away at the moment so we cannot get underneath the car for a while, to perform this so-obvious check.

Richard: I didn't know what "DHP" was when I bought the car, but I would have bought it anyway.  During all these years, I have only seen 2 other LS400's in our area  (north of Swansea) and 1 LS430  (and zero LS460 etc).  And haven't seen the 2 other 400's for quite a few years (5-6 years).   In fact, there are 2 Aston Martins in this locality = how common !

 

kind regards,

Nigel