Berlinetta #2, pretty much gone through by the PO, including new Monroe Sensatrac struts & shocks. Had a really harsh ride from the rear. It did have air bags in the rear springs, I figured that must have been what was causing it, but even after removing them, it was still harsh.

Discovered the rear shocks were not rebounding. Compressed fine, but were like a ratchet in the other direction. I bought a new set, and in replacing them, discovered the passenger side upper mount had apparently broken through, and a thick flat washer welded in to repair it. That wouldn't have been a problem, but they apparently welded it in while the shock was mounted, because the rubber bushings on each side were partially melted from the heat of welding. And, the hole in the center of the washer was barely bigger than the shock rod. I drilled out the hole some for a more factory-like fit. Seems to ride much better now (although I haven't had a lot of street time with it yet, seeing how it doesn't have exhaust installed yet).

What I'm wondering is if the welding could somehow have ruined the shocks. Neither one would rebound properly, but the passenger side was worse than the other side. Ever seen anything like that? Maybe they were just bad shocks, or went bad with inactivity.

 

This is funny...I just exchanged a 1 year-old set of Sensa-Tracks off my truck with the similar issues. Spooged out all the hydraulic fluid, rebound went to crap. And I replied to another poster elsewhere that had the same problem w/ a set of Sensa-Track shocks.

Monroe must have saved a pile o' cash on their quality control recently.

 

That kind of takes care of the welding theory. Those shocks were at least 3 years old, and the car hadn't been driven more than a hundred miles in the last five.

It rides much better now.