When to change shock absorbers?

[Twofouronenite]

  On 12/31/2008 at 11:40 AM, Sky_vinz said:

Hi guys, I've a 11mth old Lancer GLX. Recently the squeaking sound from the rear left is getting louder. Checked, no oil leak. So I supposed is due to the bushings? If yes, anyone has idea roughly how much to replace?

 

11mth old, should still have warranty claim. Go back to dealer lah.

[Eyke]

  On 12/31/2008 at 4:22 AM, Pisces69 said:

Now got Monroe Active or something like that.

 

it's Monroe Reflex.

 

[Sky_vinz]

Twofouronenite: However, any idea what's causing the sound? Due to my messy work schedule, I prefer going to private workshops.

[Shull]

  On 12/31/2008 at 4:22 AM, Pisces69 said:

=================

 

Most Jap cars use KYB (Kayaba) as OEM. They have gas & oil.

 

Chin Hon at Race Course Rd has them as well as other places. I got mine from Chin Hon as their prices were best at the time I was changing.

 

Ask for the Made In Japan shocks otherwise u might end up with those made in some other lower quality country.

 

I got the made in Japan gas shocks & they lasted >3 years till I sold the car. Very lasting & good damping too.

 

Now got Monroe Active or something like that. Similar to their previous Sensatrac. I tried the Sensatrac b4 but I think KYB is more suitable for my Jap car. Firm & stable ride with the KYB.

 

bro, any idea how much is the damage like for a set of 4?

[Siyexcalibur]

  On 1/1/2009 at 5:21 AM, Shull said:

bro, any idea how much is the damage like for a set of 4?

 

Maybe around 800~900 inclusive of labour

[Pisces69]

  On 12/31/2008 at 1:30 PM, Eyke said:

it's Monroe Reflex.

=================

 

OH ya. Something like that. But now my Optra Monroe dont have the equivalent shocks so I likely use OEM when I change. I still not sure what is the OEM for Optra.

 

Anybody got any idea?

 

[Pisces69]

  On 1/1/2009 at 5:21 AM, Shull said:

bro, any idea how much is the damage like for a set of 4?

================

 

Last time I change OEM KYB gas for my Corona CD was <$400 for 4pcs incl the labour to change. Plus I changed the stopper & mounting for the front pair cos it was old & worn. Abt <$100 for those parts.

 

Now my Optra I still dont know who is the OEM supplier so if no choice, I wil get Originals from Song Yi & get my mech to change. Labour abt $100 plus only. The shocks I still havnt checked the price.

[Twofouronenite]

  On 1/1/2009 at 3:39 AM, Sky_vinz said:

Twofouronenite: However, any idea what's causing the sound? Due to my messy work schedule, I prefer going to private workshops.

 

Don't give excuse lah , I go overseas most of the time, I also make it a point to send the car to the AD till the warranty period is up. Frankly, on the sound, quite difficult to give advise as I don't have . When my suspension got leak, I claim warranty so did not bother too much.

 

[Angpeng]

I have started noticing squeaking sounds coming from the rear right of my 3yr+ sunny about 1 month ago. The sound is getting louder and more irritating by the day.... I'm not really much of a car mech so after going through the posts here, it seems like i am having a bushing problem (did not see any leaks from the suspensions). I also read that changing all 4 absorbers costs about $500 at autosaver!!! So i would like to know can i just change the bushing without changing the absorber a not. And if cannot, can just change 1 absorber? Would like to get some advice from fellow forumers b4 heading down to autosaver.

[Angpeng]

Some updates...

Went to autosaver, the mechanic was not able to identify the source of the squeaking sounds but he confirmed it's not coming from the suspensions. He spent about an hr+ on my car but in the end refuse to charge me a single cent! (that's wat i call professionalism) . BTW, i have started to realize that the squeaking sounds somehow will disappear during heavy rains or after a car wash. Any forumers have any idea then what could be causing the sounds???

[Pisces69]

  On 1/10/2009 at 3:31 AM, Angpeng said:

Some updates...

Went to autosaver, the mechanic was not able to identify the source of the squeaking sounds but he confirmed it's not coming from the suspensions. He spent about an hr+ on my car but in the end refuse to charge me a single cent! (that's wat i call professionalism) . BTW, i have started to realize that the squeaking sounds somehow will disappear during heavy rains or after a car wash. Any forumers have any idea then what could be causing the sounds???

===============

 

Try some spray lube (WD40) on all the bushings. It cud b from there.

 

Later sound wil come back. Only hope is to change the bushings when they r too worn.

 

[Galantspeedz]

  On 11/23/2008 at 2:35 AM, Siyexcalibur said:

My poor car cross about 50 speed humps a day, excluding speed regulating strips. This type of usage, how long can the shock absorbers last? Can last 10 years? I tried bouncing the car, but the suspension is too firm, I can hardly move it. My wife ill treat the car by crossing the humps at up to 60 km/h.

 

 

to ans your qns, it is time to change when it stops absorbing shocks.

[Vinceng]

I noticed that my ride is sinking on to 1 side (driver side).

 

Driver side is lower than passenger side (only driver in car).

 

Very obvious.

 

I was unaware until a friend who drove behind my car told me so.

 

Also, the driver side goes down a lot when I sit on the driver seat, but not so much when I sit on the passenger seat.

 

There is no leakage in my shocks.

 

Do the shocks need replacement and are there any recommended shops?

 

Are oil or gas shocks recommended?

Edited January 2, 2010 by Vinceng

[Zyrofillica]

so lets say if one were to lower a jap car, just need to change to shorter spec OEM springs and can reuse the shocks? And how to tell if shocks are pneumatic or hydraulic type? I only know when ever i go over a hump. my shocks will go pssst pssst. shd be pneumatic?

[Bornno1]

  On 1/2/2010 at 9:33 PM, Zyrofillica said:

so lets say if one were to lower a jap car, just need to change to shorter spec OEM springs and can reuse the shocks? And how to tell if shocks are pneumatic or hydraulic type? I only know when ever i go over a hump. my shocks will go pssst pssst. shd be pneumatic?

 

hmm not really, all absorbers make that sound when u cross humps quickly. my stock absorbers is oil type and makes the sound too.

[Ichibawa]

  On 1/2/2010 at 9:33 PM, Zyrofillica said:

so lets say if one were to lower a jap car, just need to change to shorter spec OEM springs and can reuse the shocks? And how to tell if shocks are pneumatic or hydraulic type? I only know when ever i go over a hump. my shocks will go pssst pssst. shd be pneumatic?

 

can still be used provided its in the working zone of the shock absorber. When you compress a gas shock it will expand by itself, oil won't. This can be done only when the unit is out of the car.

[Vinceng]

  On 1/2/2010 at 3:18 PM, Vinceng said:

I noticed that my ride is sinking on to 1 side (driver side).

 

Driver side is lower than passenger side (only driver in car).

 

Very obvious.

 

I was unaware until a friend who drove behind my car told me so.

 

Also, the driver side goes down a lot when I sit on the driver seat, but not so much when I sit on the passenger seat.

 

There is no leakage in my shocks.

 

Do the shocks need replacement and are there any recommended shops?

 

Are oil or gas shocks recommended?

 

The workshop told me that my shocks are still fine with no leaks.

 

But the rear coils / springs on the driver side is a little lower than the one of the passenger side, probably due to me frequently driving alone.

 

They suggested switching the left and right springs (left to right, and right to left), but the rubber supporting teh springs would have to be changed as they have deteriorated.

 

I decided to leave things as it is until my shocks are due for change.

Edited January 11, 2010 by Vinceng

[Forgot2bme]

I have squeaky sounds frm my D2 coils... any idea how to fix them? :(