Question on shocks

[Pisces69]

My ride is getting more bouncy by the months. Other symptoms are the car seems to be pulling over to the left as well as it dips rather badly during the corners and I no longer feel safe.

 

Could someone advise whether its the springs or the shocks that are dying?

 

Of course, I could get new springs as well as shocks.... but if only the shocks are dying, then I'll re-use the springs and save the $500 or so.... do springs have a life??? Mine's done ~100K.... and the shocks 110K kms.

 

Thanks for your feedback.

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Just get a new set of shocks. Get the feel of a new car again.

Edited February 13, 2008 by Pisces69

[Pisces69]

Oh ok. Thanks.... KYB makes the stock ones for my car model too.... but it costs $110 a piece.

 

Guess I might as well change springs since I'm at it.... if the symptoms still remain... I'll have wasted $100 labour just to redo with new springs.... not to mention the alignment costs too...

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Springs usually last 10 years or more. Unless u always overload your car.

[Boyboy]

isn't it better to do all at one shot? after changing also need to do alignment wad. pay one price for alignment makes more sense, no?

 

i believe the installation charges for doing 2 "half-job" will cost more than doing 1xFJ.

[Pisces69]

I'm already on slightly lowered springs..... it helps reduce the bounciness in my case... else I get car sickness.

 

But going over uneven ground at high speed, its not what I classify as bounciness.... that's bumpiness.

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Maybe u cud try those spring stiffener on sale. A round piece of rubber wedged onto the springs which help to stiffen the springs.

[Pisces69]

errr... on budget leh, cannot afford them bilsteins, teins, etc.... anyway, the shocks have gone for 110K kms and springs about 100K. So guess its time to change.....

 

I also notice that the front passenger side's height clearance of the wheel arch above the tyres to be about 3 to 4mm higher than the driver side.... this was during the pumping of air into the tyres. So I guess the shocks are gone huh?

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U always drive on MY roads so your shocks will kaput much faster.

[Pisces69]

its the shocks. i bought KYB before....think its 60+++++ per piece. other brands are monroe and tanabe.

=======================

 

U know where sells Jap made gas filled KYB suitable for Optra? Better if price is

[Dwoon]

You can try this.... I think they are one of the local KYB stockists....

 

#32 Veerasamy Road (Yuen Thong & Co), Tel 62935249

[Tohdj]

i bought mine from

Chin Hon Auto Parts Pte Ltd

62 Race Course Road Singapore 218568

Tel : 6294-3623

Fax : 6296-6306

 

but they do not stock up on all KYB models. Call them to find out. They are near the Apollo Banana Leaf Curry Fish Head

[Tohdj]

Yup, my shocks are the original ones..... springs were changed out for slightly lower ones and stiffer as well. Yeah... guess its about time to change after 4 years..... just afraid the springs are gone too which I hope not.

 

But the ones being sold by the local KYB stockist is without the leveliser for the rears... so its gonna be a gamble... hope the car won't have a saggy butt when on full load....

 

u changed to a lower and stiffer spring...without changing the absorbers? if i recall correctly...the absorbers may not be designed for stiff springs...perhaps that is the reason why your absorbers are not absorbing well.

[Dwoon]

Yup, that's what I did.... its only 1 inch lower at the front but the rear ends up the same height due to the leveliser thing on the shocks. So my setup looks like a drag car. It's definitely stiffer though.....

 

I would say they absorb well.... but maybe won't last too long for that matter.

[Tohdj]

you really should get a shock absorber which is matched to your stiffer springs. KYB is not suitable for you...cos they are mainly OEM replacements for 'normal' springs.

 

some time back, my bro had koni yellow installed with red springs. check this out...

 

http://www.koni-na.com/konisport.html

[Pisces69]

OK thanks.

[Pisces69]

Yup. I bought my last set of gas Jap made KYB's from them but I looking for the model for the Optra. I don't know if they have or not cos I don't think KYB is OEM for Optra.

[Alb3ruang]

Usually the shocks die out b4 the springs bro, maybe take a look at them and you can see an oil film on the tube?

 

This happened to me and was pointed out by the mech, squeaky sound too when going over humps

[Dwoon]

Just replaced mine at $95 + GST a piece.

 

Now the ride is slightly lower by ~ 3mm at the rear because no leveliser. Also, the rear now tends to sag under load.

 

The pulling to one side got very bad last week and went to check. Wah lau eh.... the front left side tyre got so worn out on the inside and it was badly bloated. Lucky it didn't blow.....

 

Now thinking of putting in spring stiffeners on the rear to prevent it from sagging. Maybe boost it up by 3mm too to make it level. Any idea whether these spacers creates alot of noise and can lst how long? For 3mm height increase, must do alignment again? If so, that's another $50 leh.......

[Teddi]

What brand you take?

[Skoder]

bro,

 

Imho, take/bite the big bullet once and for all. change all 4 shocks with springs. and do all alignment. bad alignment = crappy/no control = bad tire wear = higher FC.

Not to mention higher danger to yourself and the passengers. unless u are changing your ride very very soon. anything to do with handling and control of the ride should be taken quite seriously.

 

A big difference between staying on the road or with a tree... even with a speed of 50km could end up in fatalities... touch wood. just my concern...

[Dwoon]

KYB GR2 shocks.