In researching the 222 running gear ,
I see in pics that they had two different types of shock absorber set-ups .

One is the familiar cylinder-body shock absorber nested within the coil spring :



which seems to be the style that is modeled in the available kits .
But there is also a version without the standard shock absorbers that utilize some-kinda fluid dampers that are mounted outboard the springs -- linked to the A-arm via linkages :





So what's the story on that ?

I see the advantage in repair or replacement with the ones outside the coil springs .
Maybe more travel and adjustable properties also ?

When did they change and why -- were they produced concurrently , or one replaced the other ?

Thanks !

Is the top photo of the front wheel like the others? If not, that would explain the difference. The rear wheel would be holding more weight (engine) so would require the shock while the front wheels wouldn't. I am thinking the external connector you see on the front wheels is the steering linkage. (I am not an expert, just a guess)

Hey Gary ,

No -- it's an either / or thing .
Front and rear will be the same type on a specific vehicle .

I was thinking that maybe they were having failure issues with the standard shock and it was too difficult to get to for replacement , so they came up with these smaller ones that mount onto the frame .

.. that and maybe those give more travel ?? and are probably easily adjustable -- but I'm just guessing too .obviously .

I don't know which system they fielded first -- or if they were produced concurrently ,, depending on where the vehicle was used .

one thig you have to check when you watch picture of restored vehicles is the originality,many is restored with not originals parts or mock-up for reenactments or movies

Agreed , Vicious

But - this is definitely a thing


When I first noticed no shock absorbers inside the springs ,, I thought it was just washed out in the old B&W pix .

But I've now looked at dozens and dozens of period pix --- that pic above -
this one -



... was when I first noticed it


Then I started seeing it a lot as I looked further .

One thing -- it " appears " that the vehicles with the frame mounted dampers sit higher .
The A-arms look like they sit at a steeper angle at rest .
So , different springs ... ?
Maybe ? Maybe not .

A close-up of the damper :






I'm guessing it's just a rack and pinion driven piston ,
so you should be able to adjust the orifice size real easy .