Shocks

[xaeniac]

What is the life span of shocks? I have an 2005 focus 94k miles and does not seem to have any issues with braking but at interstate speeds when I attempt to swerve it feels like it is a little floaty. Will the rear shocks be a help to this or is it mainly the front shocks? I can push up and down on the car and the car behaves like the shocks are fine. Are the fronts more important than the rear in this type of car? Would I possibly see a difference with only a rear shock replacement? Thoughts?

 

[Jimzz]

Someone else asked here...

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2369101


I say anywhere from 30k to 100k is what I have seen on average. My Dakota with 79k the shocks have been dead for a while. About to put some KYB gas-a-just on it.

Best to do all 4 at a time but on a car like yours you can do the rear shocks first since that will not require a alignment. But KYB has a $40 rebate if you buy 4 shocks/struts right now.

http://www.kyb.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/rebate-coupon-USA.pdf

Check amazon and rockauto as they have been pretty cheap for KYB right now.

 

[996GT2]

What is the life span of shocks? I have an 2005 focus 94k miles and does not seem to have any issues with braking but at interstate speeds when I attempt to swerve it feels like it is a little floaty. Will the rear shocks be a help to this or is it mainly the front shocks? I can push up and down on the car and the car behaves like the shocks are fine. Are the fronts more important than the rear in this type of car? Would I possibly see a difference with only a rear shock replacement? Thoughts?

The fronts are more important because they carry most of the weight of the car, but because your car has MacPherson struts in the front you will need an alignment after replacing struts. However it really depends on which ones (front or rear) are worn; no use replacing the fronts if they still have some life left.

If you don't replace all 4, definitely at least replace either the fronts or rears in pairs. Never just replace the shock or strut on one side.

 

[Meghan54]

Check amazon and rockauto as they have been pretty cheap for KYB right now.

I put some KYB's on my '03 Silverado and promptly removed them for a set of Bilstein shocks. Vastly superior ride with the Bilstein shocks. Valving is just much better, esp. when unloaded.

I know the KYB's are cheaper, but they show it in use. They are better than Monroe, but that's not saying much.

 

[Jimzz]

I put some KYB's on my '03 Silverado and promptly removed them for a set of Bilstein shocks. Vastly superior ride with the Bilstein shocks. Valving is just much better, esp. when unloaded.

I know the KYB's are cheaper, but they show it in use. They are better than Monroe, but that's not saying much.

Oh I agree I bought Bilstein for my Chevy. But Bilstein cost about 3 times more than the KYB option.

But for most drivers KYB will be a hugh upgrade. Monroe's good shocks are not bad either but I feel you get a better shock/strut from KYB for about the same price.