rear shock questions June 07, 2005, 09:53:23 PM It's likely that I'll be able to take care of the suspension on my '86 soon, and I'd like to do the rear shocks myself. (I'm going to have a friend who owns a repair shop do most of the front end work so they can align it right then and there)I've done some poking around the forums tonight, and it looks like the bulk of the conversation on this is for lowered cars and more expensive parts. I'm really not into the whole lowering thing.. especially not now, with this patchwork exhaust system that ses the end of the driveway if I have more than 1 passenger and a few groceries in the trunk. (I've done what I can to raise the pipe, too) I also can't justify (on this car, at this time, anyway) popping for stuff like the Bilsteins that AutoHole lists for like $99.99 each. (don't remember exact price) I just want/need something a bit better than stock.Anyway, I see a few options so far: - KYBs (from Summit here)$29.95 x 2- Monroe Sensa-Tracs (from Advance/Discount here)$26.96 x 2- Monroe Max-Airs (from Advance/Discount here)$69.88/kitI know the air shocks will be extra work.. how much extra, I don't know.. I can only guess. They're also at the top end of what is likely to be spent on this.I've already got one good word thrown in for the Sensa-Tracs.. but I'd like to hear a bit more before I decide. This is something that is very likely to happen in the next month or so, as fallout from the 1-car/4-people disaster of the last couple weeks.Also, while I'm at it, is there anything I should know that probably isn't covered in a Haynes manual walkthrough of shock replacement? I don't think I've ever done suspension work of any kind before. I'll have the book handy for it, but you know how opinions of Haynes manuals vary around here.. Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #1 – June 07, 2005, 10:22:13 PM The shocks are easy to replace. Just remove the carpet on the sides in the trunk to get at the top of the shock. Use a wrench to keep the shock from spinning and use another wrench to loosen the bolt. On the lower bracket use a ratchet on one side and wrench on the other. I have Monroe shocks on the rear (regular shocks non-air) and they are pretty good. I think they were like $30 a peice. Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #2 – June 08, 2005, 01:04:53 AM I just installed a full energy suspension bushing kit and along with I put in the monroe Matic struts, shocks,axel dampers. I love them they have a real good feel and the ride isn't bad. The sens a reacs might be a little softer. closer to facatory than the matics. Any how I did all the work myself I worked slow as I had another car to dirve. But all in all I replaced eveything in the suspensioin even the ball joints, tie rods inner/outters,everything there is. The rear shocks and axel dampers are a breaze to do in the drive way. The air shocks would take a little longer but onlyas long as is took you to hook up the air lines and run everything out of the way. Any how do as you want this is just my 2cents. Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #3 – June 08, 2005, 10:39:22 AM OK, so Monroes are teh win, I guess.I got the impression that Monroe was another Fram.. a big name brand that many enthusiasts avoid. Any mention of them around here seemed to be almost an afterthought. Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #4 – June 08, 2005, 10:58:14 AM I've always used Monroes on my daily drivers. For the money they are fantastic and seem to last a very long time (hell, if that's true on these crummy Ohio roads, then you'll have no problem down in FL). Their lifetime warranty is also great. When they wear out, bring 'em back where you bought 'em, and you get a new set. I've probably done that at least half a dozen times now, over the past two decades.I think a lot of people on this board shoot for a more street performance-oriented shock/strut like KYB's. That's probably why you don't see much about them. But I've never found a better overall street-use handling shock or strut than Monroe. Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #5 – June 08, 2005, 12:15:00 PM generally, the KYB's arnt much better than stock, my friend put them in his firebird, the "upgraded" GR2's, and they felt like they were just fresh shocks and struts, nothing performance orientedthe sensatracs have the self adjusting valve inside, where as the monroematics dont, so i think its a case of, theyll be firm when they feel the need to be firm Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #6 – June 08, 2005, 02:07:12 PM Quote from: Tbird232cigenerally, the KYB's arnt much better than stock, my friend put them in his firebird, the "upgraded" GR2's, and they felt like they were just fresh shocks and struts, nothing performance orientedi agree. Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #7 – June 08, 2005, 03:18:41 PM I think the application you apply the kyb's to changes the way they feel. It's always gonna be different with a different car. My friend installed KYB's from tirerack.com all the way around and it firmed up the ride nicely (though the tires made it ride like ass). From what I have heard, KYB's on a Bird/Cougar should firm up the ride some, but work best in a lowered application and with new bushings where needed (Urethane of course). I'd believe that in order to get a significantly noticable performance suspension feel from KYB's you would need to jump up the AGX series. Do keep in mind this is merely my :2c: based on what i've heard over the past couple years. When I get around to fixing up my suspension I intend to run KYB's all around, so once I get it done and get it broken in to my satisfaction i'll give an opinion on them. Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #8 – June 08, 2005, 03:24:48 PM I just put Gabriel Ultras on my daily driver LS, they seemed to have improved the ride and handling quite a bit. :D Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #9 – June 08, 2005, 11:20:22 PM Quote from: nirvanagodI think the application you apply the kyb's to changes the way they feel. It's always gonna be different with a different car. My friend installed KYB's from tirerack.com all the way around and it firmed up the ride nicely (though the tires made it ride like ass). From what I have heard, KYB's on a Bird/Cougar should firm up the ride some, but work best in a lowered application and with new bushings where needed (Urethane of course). I'd believe that in order to get a significantly noticable performance suspension feel from KYB's you would need to jump up the AGX series. Do keep in mind this is merely my :2c: based on what i've heard over the past couple years. When I get around to fixing up my suspension I intend to run KYB's all around, so once I get it done and get it broken in to my satisfaction i'll give an opinion on them.the thing is, for example, in my 3.8L bird, if i put ANYTHING new in, it would feel awesome, because i have the original shocks and struts from 1987, and anything would feel sweetas for if you were to lower it, the GR2's are made so that they can be used in lowered cars, the factory shocks/struts are not, so theyll surpass them in a lowered application, but Bird351 wants a stock ride height Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #10 – June 08, 2005, 11:31:41 PM My exhaust pipe wants a stock ride height, too. :p Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #11 – June 08, 2005, 11:33:43 PM Quote from: Tbird232cithe thing is, for example, in my 3.8L bird, if i put ANYTHING new in, it would feel awesome, because i have the original shocks and struts from 1987, and anything would feel sweetas for if you were to lower it, the GR2's are made so that they can be used in lowered cars, the factory shocks/struts are not, so theyll surpass them in a lowered application, but Bird351 wants a stock ride height Pretty much summarizes what i've said. I do realize he wants the stock height and all, just figured i'd throw in my opinion on the kyb's. I really can't see putting on the gr2's a potentially bad thing, even for stock height, but then again I could be wrong . Quote Selected
Re: rear shock questions Reply #12 – June 08, 2005, 11:37:32 PM By all means, elaborate on other stuff. I tend to hope my threads end up useful to more than just myself. Quote Selected
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