Hey guys!

Have noticed for awhile now that my front left shock-absorber's quite noisy... i.e.: when going over speed-humps & the like, it makes a sort of gas compression sound.

Now I know that they're gas shocks & all... but none of the others a making any noise at all. Is this kinda normal? Does it need to be re-gassed? Or is it just stuffed?! :?

Maybe it's a stupid question & I just need to get it looked at but I just can't find the time at the moment (working 6 days & most places are closed on Sundays :x )

My car was lowered (35mm) about 6 months ago but the shocks are still stock (at the time, the guy reckoned they were still OK & would do the job).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

i would replace all of them with some KYB struts

there not to expensive there like 45 a piece

noise is not really normal if you can here it inside of the car then its much loader outside of it and if you lowered your car the factory struts wont be able to handle the added pressure

 

Well, I hate to tell ya but the shocks are prolly gone. 02.gif

It is my understanding that if you change the springs, you should also change the shocks. Point being the shock has been used to a certain ride height, and was manufactured to ride at that height. Now throw in that you are changing what it's known/built for, for 3+ years, I think they went Kaput!! I had the same thing, my g/f works at Wal-Mart and I had to go over speedbumps almost everyday. I had that sound until I changed my struts, now I have a better ride, and no funky sounds.

Also I would have done them anyways. Now you have to go through the entire process over again. (Swapping them out, Alignment or downtime while it's in the shop)

 

Struts maybe gone, but you necessarily don't need to change the springs too. It depends on how they are, but just get the Eibach or Kyb Struts (Eibachs are my preference as well as their springs if you are going to change them too)

But also, it may not be your strut. Take a look at the left front bushing or both front bushings.

 

Cheers for the input guys...

Yeah, I thought it was prolly stuffed!



The noise can only be heard with the passenger window down. It's not that loud... but noticeable nevertheless...

I'm definitely not changing the springs again though... they're Pedders "Sports Ryder" springs & they're pretty damn good! Might just get the shocks to match.

I read somewhere that the KYB GR2s were pretty average... You guys referring to those? Or the AGXs? The AGXs are also height adjustable, which is handy.



I'll do that... But how can I tell if they're gone? oops.gif

 

AGX's are'nt made for RD's.
I have KYB GR2's and they are really good. I recommend them.

 

Hmmm.... come to think of it I had my bushing replaced when I did my alignment. So I'm not sure it could be the bushing, but I didn't think it would make sounds like that.

As for the shocks, I really couldn't tell you how to REALLY know until you take them out. At least that's all I can think of. Remove one of your struts, preferrably from the rear cause you will need less adjustment back there, and remove the spring. If you depress the shock and it doesn't come back out. The shock is no good. It should move out freely when you push it in.

My guess is that they are no good, mine were hissing and they were shot when I replaced them.

 

If you can afford it, I would go with Koni's.

 

Just been searching ebay for some shocks...

Found a bunch of GR2s going for around USD170... with shipping of around USD100, that works out at just shy of AUD400... Which is about AUD300 to 400 less than what I'd pay for same or similar shocks over here 8O ... so it seems like a good deal.

Just to clarify before I buy them though...
1/ These shocks are definitely worth getting? (couldn't find any Eibach or Koni shocks on ebay :? )
2/ They are definitely OK to use with lowering springs? Do they need to be calibrated or anything?
3/ Is USD170 reasonable?

Once again, cheers for all your help guys! laugh.gif

 

1. I think they are, I enjoy my KYB's. As for the Koni's or Eibach's, they're good too, I just couldn't afford them. I couldn't justify spending so much. I bought them before I even tried Ebay.

2. They are fine, I have had mine for about 2 months now with no problems. No calibrations needed

3. $170 is a good price, I paid about $400 CDN for mine