Passenger Car Shocks

[oldgeek]

Is there a tradeoff between comfort and durability in selecting shocks? Rockauto has Monroe, Sachs, Bilstein, KYB, and Gabriel. The car is a Grand Marquis. I'm more wanting a comfortable ride than concern about handling, which I figure rules out the Bilsteins. They only list Motorcrafts for the front. The funny thing is they are the most expensive ones and listed in the economy selection.

 

[franklin2]

Push down hard on each corner of the car. It should come up and then settle right away. No bouncing. If it does that, I would keep using the shocks you have. Unless it's bouncing or obviously leaking, I leave the shocks alone.

 

[MISWFL]

Is there a tradeoff between comfort and durability in selecting shocks? Rockauto has Monroe, Sachs, Bilstein, KYB, and Gabriel. The car is a Grand Marquis. I'm more wanting a comfortable ride than concern about handling, which I figure rules out the Bilsteins. They only list Motorcrafts for the front. The funny thing is they are the most expensive ones and listed in the economy selection.

Back in the day I'd avoid; Gabriel, KYB and Monroe. If the Sachs are the same as the old BOGE Turbo Gas, then they should be good. Bilstein quality is usually stellar. Not all Bilsteins are valved stiffly. I'd call Bilstein and chat with their tech department. They can often tell you the compression and rebound numbers for the factory shocks and all the common aftermarket ones. Mildly tuned shocks usually don't affect ride quality and usually enhance it. Too wimpy of a shock can cause porpoising on rough roads. Road and tire quality/pressure have a big influence on ride quality. I'd also ask the Bilstein tech guy if they honor the warranty if buying from online like RA.

My opinion might be biased, but I'm a big fan of; Bilstein, BOGE, Koni and Tokico shocks. I've had horrible experiences with the others listed, especially the old school white KYB Gas A Just shocks. The last shocks I'd consider buying would be the factory OEM ones. Factory shocks are usually undervalved on purpose.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I stuck monroe restores on the front of my crown vic. Ive got no complaints

 

[oldgeek]

Push down hard on each corner of the car. It should come up and then settle right away. No bouncing. If it does that, I would keep using the shocks you have. Unless it's bouncing or obviously leaking, I leave the shocks alone.

The trouble I have had is that I have done the bounce test with every vehicle I have replaced shocks. Even my Ranger would settle pretty quickly and it was dangerous on wash board roads. But every shock I have take off of these vehicles had no resistance in movement.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I used to always buy mid to high grade OE style shocks (Monroe, Gabriel, Guardian, etc) but not anymore. The eye opener was my Choptop when a pair of KYB Gas-a-Just shocks went on the rear and ride quality took a noticeable improvement and I went hmm… then ordered some Rough Country N3 shocks for it. Ride quality instantly improved greatly to the point that it’s far superior ride to what it was even in stock form when I got it. This has made me rethink all of my shock choices and nothing is getting an OE shock unless I have to from now on.

 

[MISWFL]

Aftermarket shock quality has really dropped since the late 1990 - mid 2000s. I'd either buy something cheap considering them disposable or buy something with the best warranty and expect to do some warranty returns. I'd verify that the shock company will honor the warranty if bought from places like RA.