Installing new shocks (HELP)

anko7990 · Postby **anko7990** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:23 pm

I know this topic has been covered before and I have read extensively

, but as I'm a monkey I hope for some feedback. :mrgreen:

I have a 99 NB8A with 115k km on the odometer on stock suspension. The car is starting to feel dead over potholes and is also making a jarring thud sound over bumps at speed.

My car is a daily driver with occasional spirited driving. I want to avoid making the ride harsh as I need to drive on Sydney roads daily.

Following comments from Boags (thanks mate) I'm gonna purchase the KYB ASX from ebay for say $500.

My questions are:

1) based on my limited description, do you think my stocks need replacing?

2) Do I need to replace the stock springs, given car has only 115km and zero track time?

3) If I buy off ebay, is it just a matter of organising a wheel and suspension workshop to install for me?

4) are there any additional parts requiring replacement? Manga_blue mentioned replacing bump stocks for $35 per corner. Is this necessary?

5)what should I be paying for installation and alignment?

6)is there anything else I should be aware of/watch out for?

thanks guys :mrgreen:

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 9:55 pm

anko7990 wrote:1) based on my limited description, do you think my stocks need replacing?

If they're the original shock then by 115k they'd be long gooorn-ski

anko7990 wrote:2) Do I need to replace the stock springs, given car has only 115km and zero track time?

No you don't have to, but you don't have to go on the track to appreciate the extra grip stiffer springs will provide, and also you might think that lower cars look better too.

anko7990 wrote:3) If I buy off ebay, is it just a matter of organising a wheel and suspension workshop to install for me?

Basically yes, and after installation a wheel alignment is a good idea.

anko7990 wrote:4) are there any additional parts requiring replacement? Manga_blue mentioned replacing bump stocks for $35 per corner. Is this necessary?

If you're sticking with stock springs, then not really. But if you were going for lower springs then cutting off the bumpstops and fitting an aftermarket one is a good idea, but shortening the stock bumpstop works for a lot of ppl too.

anko7990 wrote:5)what should I be paying for installation and alignment?

Roughly 2 hrs labour. Any more than that and the shop really didn't approach the job in an optimal way.

anko7990 wrote:6)is there anything else I should be aware of/watch out for?

Not really!

Adam_NAclubman · Postby **Adam_NAclubman** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:26 pm

If you have access to a vice, install them yourself. For what it would cost in labour you can buy a set of spring compressors and axle stands. Then just take it in for an alignment

mr_rotary · Postby **mr_rotary** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:14 pm

Adam_NAclubman wrote:If you have access to a vice, install them yourself. For what it would cost in labour you can buy a set of spring compressors and axle stands. Then just take it in for an alignment

How hard a job is it to actually replace the shocks? I have never done it as I usually palm off suspension work but do my own work on the car. I have heard people say it's easy - true/false?

Babalouie · Postby **Babalouie** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 3:44 pm

mr_rotary wrote:How hard a job is it to actually replace the shocks? I have never done it as I usually palm off suspension work but do my own work on the car. I have heard people say it's easy - true/false?

Judge for yourself:
http://www.sandiegomiataclub.org/sdmc/g ... hocks.html

spitty · Postby **spitty** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 6:27 pm

Mr Rotary i have just done shocks myself . Iwas going to pay someone to do it but wanted it yesterday SO i did it myself. I was surprised at how straightforward and simple the job is. Have a go and get it aligned after wards.

Cheers John

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:18 pm

I have taken my suspension out twice now, the second time it took me an hour per corner with out any help... It isn't too hard, but the right tools make it much easier.

No problems Anko!

Boags

anko7990 · Postby **anko7990** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:40 am

thanks Babalouie, I will call around and organise for a shop to fit them. I'm not a big fan of the lowered look, well not for road use anyways, so will keep the car looking as stock as possible. :mrgreen:

On another note, I received my pink slip today and the shop replaced the rubber covering the brake and throttle pedal. He said one corner was worn to the metal and hence needs to be replaced for compliance. haha I didnt complain as the cost was nominal but got me thinking, what about sport pedals that are completely alloy? I know these are safe for road use as some cars are released like this by the factory. anyways just a thought.

anko7990 · Postby **anko7990** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:27 pm

Manga_blue mentioned in another thread it should cost approx $40 per corner to install new shocks ie, $160. I have been calling around and been quoted above $300+ from every mechanic. Are they over-quoting or is $160 unreasonable? how many hours labour do you think changing shocks are?

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:34 pm

Mania quote $150 to $180 - but that's for suspension thay have sold you - would likely be dearer if you supplied the shocks and springs. In a similar vein I have had tyre shops refuse to fit tyres that I supplied - they reckon they couldn't be responsible for the condition of the tyres if they didn't sell them.

anko7990 · Postby **anko7990** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:43 pm

bigdog wrote:Mania quote $150 to $180 - but that's for suspension thay have sold you - would likely be dearer if you supplied the shocks and springs. In a similar vein I have had tyre shops refuse to fit tyres that I supplied - they reckon they couldn't be responsible for the condition of the tyres if they didn't sell them.

mate I love your alloys. Not many look good on the MX but that looks beautiful :mrgreen:

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 10:18 pm

Cheep and light too!!

Direct Wheels Blacktown or Mania sell them.

mr_rotary · Postby **mr_rotary** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 5:23 pm

Babalouie wrote:
mr_rotary wrote:How hard a job is it to actually replace the shocks? I have never done it as I usually palm off suspension work but do my own work on the car. I have heard people say it's easy - true/false?

Judge for yourself:
http://www.sandiegomiataclub.org/sdmc/g ... hocks.html

Thanks for the link - looks pretty straightforward, now to find the time :lol: