How long do shocks/springs last?

[DeathMetal]

How many miles do they last?

My car is coming up to the 40k mark in miles and the handling seems different. The ride is not as smooth as it used to be, like it will bounce around more on bumps on the road, and the body seems to wiggle from side to side a bit. Could this be some other suspension issue?

 

[timeless2]

It varies on severity of treatment and your daily routine. Do you autocross or fetch groceries?

 

[DeathMetal]

I just drive form school/work and back, never autocrossed or raced, other than accellerating fast in a straight line. I don't speed through turns or anything.

The car has had 2 other owners though, so I don't know how they treated it.

 

[DeathMetal]

I also noticed another issue with my car.

The rear passenger side wheel sits out about 1 inch further than the one on the driver side. I checked out some other mustangs and it seems that the one on the driver side is correct, so for some reason the passenger side wheel is sticking out an inch too far, and it's not a wheel spacer, I checked that out.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The stockers are absolute garbage. Do not over spend on replacements. I got Gabriel SVT on all four wheels for less than $100 at AutoZone and easily installed them myself.

 

[timeless2]

Gabriel's aren't bad.

Tokico are decent.

Koni are the win. I had them on my '95 Cobra R clone and LOVED them!

 

[tomustang]

I also noticed another issue with my car.

The rear passenger side wheel sits out about 1 inch further than the one on the driver side. I checked out some other mustangs and it seems that the one on the driver side is correct, so for some reason the passenger side wheel is sticking out an inch too far, and it's not a wheel spacer, I checked that out.

frame tolerances. look under the car and see how bad the frames are off from front to back.


as far as body roll, it comes with owning a mustang, and shocks/struts always play different roles in longativity. you could have a leaking one.

 

[bdcardinal]

im getting Bilstein they are sooo nice. but i will also be getting Hypercoil springs.

 

[DeathMetal]

Ok, i've decided to try to replace the rear shocks on my own. This will be my first time doing anything like this to a car. The most I have done is basic engine tuneups.

I found this tutorial by searching on the forums. The author mentions he used Gabriel shocks and that they are pretty good for their price.

 

[hotrodnut]

Stock GT shocks are not good for many miles at all, the most I'd go is 20k on the stockers. I'm with git-it-83, Koni shocks are the best you can get, Bilstiens are close but they don't adjust. Tokicos are pretty good and if you are on a buget and want an adjustable shock that is a good choice. I don't have any experience with any other shock but the ones I mentioned so I can't comment on those.

 

[Seraphitia102]

Do it right the first time and get Bilsteins. You never have to change them, and they'll never degrade due to age, usage or heat. Lifetime warranty included with Bilsteins, if you can wear them out, you'll get new ones.

 

[KronicRacer]

60,000 mile with optimal perfect/conditions. look for about 40-45,000 mile average in shock life. (stock)

i agree with everyones shock reccomendations

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Do not over spend. Remember, the people that bought Bilsteins and the like want to justify the excessive cost in their minds and recommend them to everyone else... Everyone loves what they bought...

You need to consider what you will use the car for and buy shocks that are appropriate.

 

[KronicRacer]

i was going to mention the bullit or mach 1 package(springs shocks and swaybars) and it is much cheaper than said recommendations

 

[juiced_94gt]

Do not over spend. Remember, the people that bought Bilsteins and the like want to justify the excessive cost in their minds and recommend them to everyone else... Everyone loves what they bought...

You need to consider what you will use the car for and buy shocks that are appropriate.

This is kinda ignorant for you to say...Have you ever owened some bilsteins? Hahe you ever ridden in a BMW M3 with bilsteins? It compleatly changes the car, my $550.00 was more than worth every penny and i will "justify" the cost on every car I own for the rest of my life period, show me one bilstein owner who is unhappy and i will buy his bilsteins off him.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I would say the same thing about my $100 Gabriels...

 

[fiveofanatic]

Gabriel, Monroe, KYB = junk IMO. Tokico = good, Koni = great. Never tried the Bilsteins, but I haven't seen many people complaining about them, either.

 

[DeathMetal]

I ordered some Bilstein shocks for the rear, they were $88.40 each with free shipping. I figure I'll do the rear shocks this month and next month I'll buy the struts.

 

[Black Stang 97]

how are the kyb agx shocks??