New shock absorbers?

[Spydermag68]

How do tell if your car needs new shock asorbers? I have a 2008 honda civic with about 85,000 miles.

 

[JCH13]

A few indications:

1) Feeling 'loose' or 'skittery' (I like that word) after hitting things like a bridge expansion joint
2) Feeling extra bouncy, or noticing more than 1-2 oscillations after such an impact
3) Shock fluid is covering the inside of your wheel
4) You try a bounce test (push down on a corner of your vehicle and get it bouncing up and down) and the vehicle continues to bounce after you stop pushing
5) If the strut boot is torn, and you don't have higher-end struts/shocks, it's likely that the front shaft seal has been ruined by dirt/dust/grit.

After 85k miles I wouldn't be surprised at all if you needed new struts/shocks.

 

[Jimzz]

At 85k if they are not leaking then they may be worn but ok. If the ride and handling is fine to you then you can keep going.

But if they have leaked out, making noise, or the ride is not up to what you want then replace them.

KYB is a good brand that has/had a rebate recently. Just put 4 on my truck. Mine were not fully bad but the ride was to soft and floating.

 

[Vetterin]

After I noticed the $40 rebate on KYB shocks I just ordered a set for my 85 Vette. It only has 87000 miles but still has the original Bilsteins on it. With the Z51 suspension it just rides too hard so the KYBs should help soften it up a bit.

 

[Midwayman]

I know when I changed shocks at similar mileage the car was feeling floaty on the highway. You'd go over bumps and the pavement and the car just wouldn't immediately settle. Afterwards it was up down done. Always feeling planted.

Better question here is why do you think your suspension might worn? If you describe your problem you'll probably get better answers.

 

[mmntech]

I think my car needs new rear springs. Has been creaking a lot since the weather has started to warm up. I wonder if tossing a sport suspension kit on an 05 non-SI Civic is worth it.

 

[JCH13]

After I noticed the $40 rebate on KYB shocks I just ordered a set for my 85 Vette. It only has 87000 miles but still has the original Bilsteins on it. With the Z51 suspension it just rides too hard so the KYBs should help soften it up a bit.

That'll be a serious downgrade in shock quality, and unless the valving for the OEM shocks is totally wrong the KYB's probably won't soften the ride at all. There can be a lot of reasons for a rough ride, and while incorrect dampers can be one of them, I somehow doubt that the OEM shocks are that far off.

I think my car needs new rear springs. Has been creaking a lot since the weather has started to warm up. I wonder if tossing a sport suspension kit on an 05 non-SI Civic is worth it.

What? Springs creaking? Look at your bushings and/or spring seats. Unless traumatically broken the springs themselves aren't the issue.

 

[Spydermag68]

What I have noticed is that I seem to bottom out on the front a little bit too easy.

 

[Tsavo]

You need new shocks when you hit a pothole in South Dakota, and the car doesn't stop bobbing until Idaho.

 

[JCH13]

What I have noticed is that I seem to bottom out on the front a little bit too easy.

What does that mean?

 

[Vetterin]

That'll be a serious downgrade in shock quality, and unless the valving for the OEM shocks is totally wrong the KYB's probably won't soften the ride at all. There can be a lot of reasons for a rough ride, and while incorrect dampers can be one of them, I somehow doubt that the OEM shocks are that far off.

The 85 Z51 suspension was the 2nd STIFFEST suspension ever put on the Corvette (the 84 being #1) and the KYB"s do soften it up quite a bit. I've had this car since 92 and no longer track it so I'm ready for a little more ride comfort at this point.

 

[JCH13]

The 85 Z51 suspension was the 2nd STIFFEST suspension ever put on the Corvette (the 84 being #1) and the KYB"s do soften it up quite a bit. I've had this car since 92 and no longer track it so I'm ready for a little more ride comfort at this point.

Here's a link for your consideration: http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/shock_absorber_myths.cfm

#1 Strut/Shock Myth they address: changing a strut or shock will make a car ride 'better' or 'softer'

We do not recommend buying shocks or struts specifically for trying to change the "ride" of a vehicle, that is not what shocks or struts do. The products we carry typically are designed to give a vehicle better handling, control, and safety.

 

[mmntech]

What? Springs creaking? Look at your bushings and/or spring seats. Unless traumatically broken the springs themselves aren't the issue.

I'm not an expert okay.

 

[JCH13]

I'm not an expert okay.

D: I thought EVERYONE on the internet was an expert!

...my whole world has been thrown in chaos...

 

[mmntech]

D: I thought EVERYONE on the internet was an expert!

...my whole world has been thrown in chaos...

Shh, you'll expose my secret.