when to get new shocks?

[tinytd010]

how do you know when you need to replace ur old shocks?

[freakinbox]

well shocks stop your car from bouncing over and over again, so if you push down on the car and is bounces a bunch replace them. think the rule is 3 bounces?

[gekishibu86]

When it's leaking oil.

[AstroVannin]

When they clunk like mad and dont do any dampening.

[Donald]

Originally Posted by freakinbox

well shocks stop your car from bouncing over and over again, so if you push down on the car and is bounces a bunch replace them. think the rule is 3 bounces?

I think 3 might be too much. If you push down hard on any corner of the car, it should go down, up, and back to level and stop. Any more movement than that is too much. Replace that shock, and probably the one on the opposite side too, ( if you have one bad front, replace both front) if you can afford it.

[DarkNinja75]

A local repair shop around here said every 50k miles. While the mileage may be inaccurate, they made a good point as to why you need to replace them. Braking with bad shocks would cause your car to dip at the nose, which would shift weight from the center towards the front of the car. This would make your rear tires have less traction and thus less stopping power.

[wantin150]

Shocks will soon be the big "check and replace" item. The bounce test is probably the easiest way, although results can vary from one tester to the next. Leaking oil is a sure sign. I've "heard" that 100k is a good point. If you figure the amount of movement per mile, it's staggering over the life of the shock.

Aftermarket shocks will improve your ride (and wear and tear) regardless of whether or not you replace them at 50k or 100k. I order to really "test" them, you would have to set up a "box" and measure the stock height vs current height vs inches of allow suspension travel.

Worn shocks, as was stated, decrease handling, increase braking distances, and increase tire wear. Braking percentage is very low for a FWD vehicle anyway (70% front / 30% rear) so the more you can keep back there (in a sense anyway), the better.

[freakinbox]

if they clunk or leak you waited to long to replace them

I still think the rule is 3 bounces for a safety, which is fine for normal driving. if your going to try to push the car hard with cornering you'll want better than that

[Donald]

Originally Posted by DarkNinja75

A local repair shop around here made a good point as to why you need to replace them. Braking with bad shocks would cause your car to dip at the nose, which would shift weight from the center towards the front of the car. This would make your rear tires have less traction and thus less stopping power.

That is quite true. Makes for an exciting experience if you have to panic stop, downhill in the wet!!!

[nodrogkam]

the way the corolla is set up it would be good to check them at 75K and replace if necessary. most shocks have totally lost their reflexes by 100K of normal driving under normal loads.

[Donald]

The Corolla I just bought ('92 sedan) has 143K on it. The darn shocks feel like they might just be the originals. The thing rides like a boat!

Next item on the shopping list ......... shocks!!!

[wantin150]

Originally Posted by freakinbox

if they clunk or leak you waited to long to replace them

I still think the rule is 3 bounces for a safety, which is fine for normal driving. if your going to try to push the car hard with cornering you'll want better than that

You're right about the leak part! Unfortunately, most people don't find a blown shock unless they're looking at something else, or happen tofind a puddle behind a wheel. A very neglected part indeed.

[retiredat44]

Autozone.com 4 Gabriel struts about $160.00 give or take. plus your hard labor... either that or pay a shop about $800.00 to do them, but its a pretty dirty hard job to do all 4.. yourself...

[nodrogkam]

spring compressor is a must. impact wrench would be very helpful.

[ae92redtop]

Hey my 88 rolla is jus about at 100k, and i think i should get new shocks. I doubt they have ever been replaced and have very little reflex left in them.

What is good aftermarket replacement KYB's?