Hi all, I'm asking this because i cannot find a solo thread for this. My 1990 IROC-Z is starting to hit the little imperfections in our roads a little hard. Now i could be wrong on needing to replace the Shocks and Struts, but i have no record on when they were ever replaced! I know the car rides harder stock then my Olds Cutlass "S", but im wondering how hard it is to replace them and which brands to single out. KYB, Bilstein, AC Delco? Its not a racer...it is mostly a cruiser for those great nights that i can have the top down! Trying to keep the car original since according to the manufacturer date..its literally one of the last off the line! 1 of 1294 convertibles and one of the last if not the last convertible off the line! (trying to find help on this is a pain)!

Thanks in advance forum fam!

By the way...i found an old post about cost and quality for shocks and struts...but its 17yrs old. maybe any updated info?

 

Rears are stooooopid eeeeeeeezy. Change the springs at the same time. Moog CC635 (variable rate) or 5665 (constant rate). It takes longer to jack, support, and let back down, than to change the parts. Replace the sway bar bushings and end links too... those are probably the biggest bang for the buck you can get on these cars. BIG bang, very little $$$.

Front struts are tougher but DIY doable. Front springs are one of those things where if you have to ask on an Internet forum, you probably don't have any business trying it. Sway bar bushings & end links up front are even more bang for the $, just do it.

As far as what to get, DON'T fall for the "AC Delco" sucker bait. Don't get Gabriel. For a cheeeeeeeeep stock replacement get Monroe. For something better than stock get KYB. For all-out "best", Koni yellows.

 

The "keep your GM vehicle all GM" parts are now made in China. You are going to have to forget about ORIGINAL. Go with what works, like Sofa said.

 

I put KYB "Gas_A_Justs" on the rear of my 88 Lincoln mark VII LSC. They were so firm the unibody was groaning as the stiff shocks beat the heck out of it. I switched to KYB GR@'s which are firm enough, but comfortable.

I have Monroe "Reflex" shocks on my 79 Trans Am, again, comfortable, yet firm enough.

 

KYB front struts are alright for street driving.
Very cheap, like sub $50 on Amazon.
Gas adjust rears are also cheap and work OK.
You definitely want to replace the springs while ur at it.

the Koni struts/shocks are the best by a mile.
They ride nicer and handle world's better.
But a set is around $600+

If you are also interested in a smoother ride, Founders solid strut mounts ($200) make these cars ride super smooth.