When I do a brake job or rotate tires, I check the shocks for leaks then road test them by jumping on the gas then sudden stop. If bounces or the front of the car drops when braking I suggest it's time for new shocks/struts.
How long do shocks last?
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KGB is an excellent choice. They will raise the vehicle perhaps an inch and improve road feel, handling, tire wear, everything.
Again, if you plan on keeping the vehicle, this is a great choice.
Again, if you plan on keeping the vehicle, this is a great choice.
Originally Posted by Patman
Originally Posted by PiperOne
Our rule of thumb here is....when you replace tires that have worn out, that axle gets shocks. For some perspective, we don't rotate tires because we generally buy different tires for drive and steer axles so front shocks are in service as long as a set of steer tires lasts (50 to 100k depending on application). If it's a vehicle that eats front tires...chances are the whole front end is working hard so shocks and tires together seems to work. For light duty strut type applications (cars etc) we do rotate tires and will do struts and shocks when all 4 tires come off generally.
You change your struts and shocks every time you buy tires? That sounds like a huge waste of money.
Originally Posted by 02SE
Originally Posted by PiperOne
Our rule of thumb here is....when you replace tires that have worn out, that axle gets shocks. For some perspective, we don't rotate tires because we generally buy different tires for drive and steer axles so front shocks are in service as long as a set of steer tires lasts (50 to 100k depending on application). If it's a vehicle that eats front tires...chances are the whole front end is working hard so shocks and tires together seems to work. For light duty strut type applications (cars etc) we do rotate tires and will do struts and shocks when all 4 tires come off generally.
On that schedule, on one car I'd be replacing shocks at
A maintenance schedule appropriate to the vehicle and it's use, is what I go with.
He mentions steer and drive axles, and tires lasting 50 to 100k. That kind of description makes me think large truck.
Originally Posted by PiperOne
Our rule of thumb here is....when you replace tires that have worn out, that axle gets shocks. For some perspective, we don't rotate tires because we generally buy different tires for drive and steer axles so front shocks are in service as long as a set of steer tires lasts (50 to 100k depending on application). If it's a vehicle that eats front tires...chances are the whole front end is working hard so shocks and tires together seems to work. For light duty strut type applications (cars etc) we do rotate tires and will do struts and shocks when all 4 tires come off generally.
You change your struts and shocks every time you buy tires? That sounds like a huge waste of money.
Originally Posted by 02SE
Originally Posted by PiperOne
Our rule of thumb here is....when you replace tires that have worn out, that axle gets shocks. For some perspective, we don't rotate tires because we generally buy different tires for drive and steer axles so front shocks are in service as long as a set of steer tires lasts (50 to 100k depending on application). If it's a vehicle that eats front tires...chances are the whole front end is working hard so shocks and tires together seems to work. For light duty strut type applications (cars etc) we do rotate tires and will do struts and shocks when all 4 tires come off generally.
On that schedule, on one car I'd be replacing shocks at
A maintenance schedule appropriate to the vehicle and it's use, is what I go with.
He mentions steer and drive axles, and tires lasting 50 to 100k. That kind of description makes me think large truck.
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
KGB is an excellent choice.
Are those Russian made?
KGB is an excellent choice.
Are those Russian made?
Patman
Staff member
Originally Posted by supton
He mentions steer and drive axles, and tires lasting 50 to 100k. That kind of description makes me think large truck.
He does reference doing the same wasteful maintenance on cars though:
Quote
For light duty strut type applications (cars etc) we do rotate tires and will do struts and shocks when all 4 tires come off generally.
He mentions steer and drive axles, and tires lasting 50 to 100k. That kind of description makes me think large truck.
He does reference doing the same wasteful maintenance on cars though:
Quote
For light duty strut type applications (cars etc) we do rotate tires and will do struts and shocks when all 4 tires come off generally.
I've only had four shock/strut replacements:
-Civic, under recall
-VW, word on the street was that 40k and the OEM's were toast, I went 130k and I did notice a big difference with performance struts
-shop later said they were dead after 150k or so, so the KYB's were replaced under lifetime warranty
-my current Camry came with a bit of a rough ride and what I thought was a saggy rear. I did Monroe quickstruts, which didn't really change anything--the rear springs probably were sagging, but the real ride problem was the tires (went from Mastercraft Strategy to RT43)
Really haven't owned anything else long enough to warrant shocks IMO. Wife's Camry still has OEM struts after 175k and my Tundra still has the same shocks at 144k. No plans in the works to replace. These days I try to keep them sprayed down with Fluid Film, and I have to wonder if the shop will ever fail them as a result. Our roads can be a bit rough (40k is average tire life) but they are not NYC pothole bad.
-Civic, under recall
-VW, word on the street was that 40k and the OEM's were toast, I went 130k and I did notice a big difference with performance struts
-shop later said they were dead after 150k or so, so the KYB's were replaced under lifetime warranty
-my current Camry came with a bit of a rough ride and what I thought was a saggy rear. I did Monroe quickstruts, which didn't really change anything--the rear springs probably were sagging, but the real ride problem was the tires (went from Mastercraft Strategy to RT43)
Really haven't owned anything else long enough to warrant shocks IMO. Wife's Camry still has OEM struts after 175k and my Tundra still has the same shocks at 144k. No plans in the works to replace. These days I try to keep them sprayed down with Fluid Film, and I have to wonder if the shop will ever fail them as a result. Our roads can be a bit rough (40k is average tire life) but they are not NYC pothole bad.
Originally Posted by Patman
Originally Posted by supton
He mentions steer and drive axles, and tires lasting 50 to 100k. That kind of description makes me think large truck.
If that's the case then he should mention that, since it really isn't comparable at all to passenger vehicles.
True, true...
Originally Posted by supton
He mentions steer and drive axles, and tires lasting 50 to 100k. That kind of description makes me think large truck.
If that's the case then he should mention that, since it really isn't comparable at all to passenger vehicles.
True, true...
The front strut assemblies on my Fusion are still original factory-installed units.. creaky as heck but they still do the job. I'll be replacing them next weekend.
The factory shocks in my Ram 1500 were still good at years, 150,000km when we sold it. The factory Bilstein shocks in my Trailblazer were done around the 140-150 mark. I changed them to Monroe Sensatracs at 160. The Monroe's were absolute garbage at 4 years, 60,000km. I am now onto Bilstein 4600's.
Had TEIN shocks and springs for over 100,000 miles and still stiff as day I bought them. Think I'll just buy another set with a electronic controller this time.
http://www.fkxracing.com/TEIN-FLEX-Z-COILOVER-SYSTEM-12-15-CIVIC-R18-VSHC0-CUAS1-VSHC0-CUAS1-R18.htm
http://www.fkxracing.com/TEIN-FLEX-Z-COILOVER-SYSTEM-12-15-CIVIC-R18-VSHC0-CUAS1-VSHC0-CUAS1-R18.htm
Originally Posted by Y_K
KYB = Keep Your Bilsteins in MB world
Huh?
KYB = Keep Your Bilsteins in MB world
Huh?
Originally Posted by Dave1027
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
KGB is an excellent choice.
Are those Russian made?
Putin even inspects and signs the shocks...
Originally Posted by JeffKeryk
KGB is an excellent choice.
Are those Russian made?
Putin even inspects and signs the shocks...
Originally Posted by SirTanon
The front strut assemblies on my Fusion are still original factory-installed units.. creaky as heck but they still do the job. I'll be replacing them next weekend.
What kind of struts will you be using? Bilstein makes struts for the 06-12 Fusion. Even they are only listed up to 09, the 2010-12 struts are identical in form, so they will fit
Otherwise, Ford has Motorcraft quick struts for your Fusion. The part numbers are ASTL22 and ASTL23
The front strut assemblies on my Fusion are still original factory-installed units.. creaky as heck but they still do the job. I'll be replacing them next weekend.
What kind of struts will you be using? Bilstein makes struts for the 06-12 Fusion. Even they are only listed up to 09, the 2010-12 struts are identical in form, so they will fit
Otherwise, Ford has Motorcraft quick struts for your Fusion. The part numbers are ASTL22 and ASTL23
Originally Posted by supton
He mentions steer and drive axles, and tires lasting 50 to 100k. That kind of description makes me think large truck.
I owned some class 5 through 8 MDT's and HDT's. He likely is referring to large trucks.
My point is that his shock replacement interval recommendation is not a one-size-fits-all.
He mentions steer and drive axles, and tires lasting 50 to 100k. That kind of description makes me think large truck.
I owned some class 5 through 8 MDT's and HDT's. He likely is referring to large trucks.
My point is that his shock replacement interval recommendation is not a one-size-fits-all.
Last edited:
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
It all depends on the car and the conditions.
My Sonata has almost 90k miles, still rides great.
Shocks/struts are something you don't wanna cheap out on. Especially since you need an alignment for the front end with struts.
My Sonata has almost 90k miles, still rides great.
Shocks/struts are something you don't wanna cheap out on. Especially since you need an alignment for the front end with struts.
With the Escape, v6 models, it's also the springs. They don't hold up with the weight. Quick struts are the way to go. We have 160k but I should of changed them a long time ago. Still barely within spec. Not a lot good options for quick struts in my opinion.
I have found that control arm bushings are a bigger contributor to ride/handling than struts/shocks.
Struts/shocks only get replaced if they are leaking. If they get replaced, they are being replaced with real OE from the dealer. I have had to warranty several sets of KYBs in the last few months for premature oil leakage.
Struts/shocks only get replaced if they are leaking. If they get replaced, they are being replaced with real OE from the dealer. I have had to warranty several sets of KYBs in the last few months for premature oil leakage.
Also check the STABILIZER BAR LINKS.
Originally Posted by PiperOne
Our rule of thumb here is....when you replace tires that have worn out, that axle gets shocks. For some perspective, we don't rotate tires because we generally buy different tires for drive and steer axles so front shocks are in service as long as a set of steer tires lasts (50 to 100k depending on application). If it's a vehicle that eats front tires...chances are the whole front end is working hard so shocks and tires together seems to work. For light duty strut type applications (cars etc) we do rotate tires and will do struts and shocks when all 4 tires come off generally.
Got a good laugh after reading.
Our rule of thumb here is....when you replace tires that have worn out, that axle gets shocks. For some perspective, we don't rotate tires because we generally buy different tires for drive and steer axles so front shocks are in service as long as a set of steer tires lasts (50 to 100k depending on application). If it's a vehicle that eats front tires...chances are the whole front end is working hard so shocks and tires together seems to work. For light duty strut type applications (cars etc) we do rotate tires and will do struts and shocks when all 4 tires come off generally.
Got a good laugh after reading.
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