I know how important struts are for a cars suspension and handling, and mine are in need of replacement. What would be recomended? I am thinking about Gabriel but not sure. I want a good set, but nothing that will break the bank. Oh, and should the springs be replaced as well?

 

If you're looking for cheap but FAIRLY respectable, go with some kyb's. I don't believe in the "chain store" shocks if you plan on spirited driving...if its gonna be a basic commuter car well fine. As for springs, you can keep what you have but suspension works best when the pieces are properly matched with each other.

 

I use it for a commuter... on the way to work. On the way home at night on the back roads, freeway..... I like the handleing performance. What would be a good riding, great handling shocks for oh, say, around $75 a piece?

 

KYB GR2 struts are only about $50 a piece, and KYB Gas-a-just shocks only about $28 a piece. Im happy with the ride and handling quality, and you cant beat the performance to cost ratio.

 

I may get those. They sound to be reasonable. What did you mean about matching the shocks to the springs earlier?

 

I may get those. They sound to be reasonable. What did you mean about matching the shocks to the springs earlier?

 

Exactly what vjo said..for a bargain price and the performance its tough to beat kyb gr2's and gas-a-just.

 

Are there are any shocks that would deliver better handling performance for a similar price? Up to 80 bucks? What about the rear shocks? If I am going to do it, I want it all done at the same time and I can trust your guys advice. Thanks.

 

"Cheap" and "Performance" generally don't belong in the same sentence, at least when you're talking about shocks and struts.

If you need something to hold you over, just go with KYB's line. Otherwise, you're going to want to look at Bilstein's/Koni's offerings... which certainly aren't cheap.

 

the cheapy store shocks are hard riders i put some on my camaro thats how i know, but the best advice i could give would be...go with a well known brand of shocks. When i replaced the shocks on my truck, i had a choice between spending $100 on front and rear (4) absorbers, or spending $75 a piece-the edlebrocks i bought are IMO worth every dime i paid. If only they made a full set for the 3rdgen F-bodies

 

If you're looking at spending $300ish on shocks and struts, I've been hearing very good things about the Tokico HPs. You can get them for around $250ish on eBay. They seem to be the only option in that pricerange for our cars. The KYB setups are considerably cheaper. I had them on my car...they were decent (the KYBs). Now I have Koni Red adjustable front struts and Bilstein HD rear shocks, and it made a big difference.

The only other "better" options you have over the Tokico HPs at $250ish is the Bilstein setups, which come in between $400 and $450, along with the Koni Red/Yellow setups around the same price and the Tokico Illuminas at about $500. Not sure where the KYB AGX setup falls in there price-wise (that's KYB's adjustable shocks/struts).

 

I'd go with Gabriels for your stock car. I'd even go with Gabriels for my 11 second car.

If your road racing, or doing serious drag racing, then adjustable struts and coil overs is the way to go. Otherwise, the cheap lifetime warrenty gabriels will do just fine.

-- Joe

 

So if struts/shocks are being replaced by say the Gabriels....should springs be altered as well or do stock springs work fine with new shocks and struts?

 

Ok, if I go Gabriel, should I go Ultra or Gaurdian? I know what to do about the KYB, but what about Gabriel? And what about Monroes? The local parts stores don't have the Gabriels in stock or the the KYB's at all.

 

Order them from Summitracing takes about 2 days or so and they at your door. Don't use the parts store "replacement" brand They are awful I went that way when my Iroc's struts bit the dust. New gabriels all the way around very rough riding, and very sorry performance wise. I went with the KYB's for about $40 over the cost of the gabriels and they are sooo much better than those, but no where as good as my stock Bilsteins..

 

Is it worth replacing the stock mounts in addition if we are doing a replacement job on the struts?

 

Ok. I got the shocks and struts installed. I told the mechanic what I wanted but he couldn't find any in stock. So he got the Monroe Sense-a-trac all around. I'm pretty pleased with them. They are a little harder riding than the stock ones (duh, 122,000 miles) and the handling and cornering is better. However, the front shocks pop when I hit a hard bump.... I don't think that that is normal. Is it and if not what is the problem?

 

Ok. I got the shocks and struts installed. I told the mechanic what I wanted but he couldn't find any in stock. So he got the Monroe Sense-a-trac all around. I'm pretty pleased with them. They are a little harder riding than the stock ones (duh, 122,000 miles) and the handling and cornering is better. However, the front shocks pop when I hit a hard bump.... I don't think that that is normal. Is it and if not what is the problem?

 

no its not supposed to pop make sure they didnt mess with the strut mount for some strange reason. That would be my guess as that they either didnt get them tightened down all the way or something crazy like that.