How long do shocks/springs last?

D

DeathMetal

Member

Jun 3, 2004

3

2

13

Wisconsin

Sep 13, 2005

#1

• Sep 13, 2005

• #1

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

Vi Veri Veni Versum Vicus Vici

Admin Dude

Nov 29, 1999

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Sep 13, 2005

#2

• Sep 13, 2005

• #2

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

 

D

DeathMetal

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Jun 3, 2004

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Wisconsin

Sep 13, 2005

#3

• Sep 13, 2005

• #3

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.

 

D

DeathMetal

Member

Jun 3, 2004

3

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Wisconsin

Sep 13, 2005

#4

• Sep 13, 2005

• #4

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.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

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Mar 30, 2005

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#5

• Sep 13, 2005

• #5

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

Vi Veri Veni Versum Vicus Vici

Admin Dude

Nov 29, 1999

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Sep 13, 2005

#6

• Sep 13, 2005

• #6

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

Psychotic Member

Founding Member

Jun 8, 2000

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McLean Hospital

Sep 13, 2005

#7

• Sep 13, 2005

• #7

DeathMetal said:

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.

Click to expand...

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.

 

B

bdcardinal

tree hugger

Jun 10, 2003

3,612

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69

santa barbara, CA

Sep 13, 2005

#8

• Sep 13, 2005

• #8

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

 

D

DeathMetal

Member

Jun 3, 2004

3

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Wisconsin

Sep 14, 2005

#9

• Sep 14, 2005

• #9

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

Member

Jul 12, 2004

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North Florida

Sep 14, 2005

#10

• Sep 14, 2005

• #10

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

will post boobie pics for a supercharger

Oct 11, 2004

737

1

16

California

Sep 14, 2005

#11

• Sep 14, 2005

• #11

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

Member

Jun 23, 2004

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puttering around Ft Lauderdale, FL

Sep 14, 2005

#12

• Sep 14, 2005

• #12

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

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

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Sep 14, 2005

#13

• Sep 14, 2005

• #13

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

Member

Jun 23, 2004

502

1

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puttering around Ft Lauderdale, FL

Sep 14, 2005

#14

• Sep 14, 2005

• #14

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

Active Member

Mar 30, 2005

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Sep 14, 2005

#15

• Sep 14, 2005

• #15

Kilgore Trout said:

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.

Click to expand...

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.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

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Sep 14, 2005

#16

• Sep 14, 2005

• #16

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

 

F

fiveofanatic

How to fuel a Mustang:

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Aug 12, 1998

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Sep 14, 2005

#17

• Sep 14, 2005

• #17

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

 

D

DeathMetal

Member

Jun 3, 2004

3

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13

Wisconsin

Sep 14, 2005

#18

• Sep 14, 2005

• #18

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

the guy on top of me is funny

Nov 11, 2004

483

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Los Angeles, CA

Sep 15, 2005

#19

• Sep 15, 2005

• #19

how are the kyb agx shocks??