Car is an '06 Civic Hybrid. So it has the traction battery in the back, and from what I see, the same shocks / struts as the LX/EX model. Meaning that they've been dealing with a bit of extra weight in the back (although I don't know how much the pack weighs). I've had items in my trunk, but it's not been loaded heavily for long stretches of time. I also have a hitch on the back, that I use to mount a bike rack on from time to time.
I've noted over the last couple of months that the car seemed to have a lower height when I viewed it from a distance. Not lower in the back, but lower all around (?) And of course, with 48K on it, the shocks aren't going to be what they were when new, ride-wise (I've noticed; it's subtle, but it's different).
A couple of incidents happened lately that lead me to believe that I've got worn shocks and/or struts (front is strut, rear is shock). The first was when I drove two other people to lunch, and after going over one speed bump in the parking lot at work, the car bottomed out - it was noticed by all.
The second was two days ago - I accidentally hit a skunk, and the odor was on the undercarriage. So I took it to a local car wash where I could get the undercarriage washed. One of those automatic jobs at the local gas station. I'd been to this car wash once or twice before - however, when I was (slowly) putting the wheels in the guide, I heard the crunch from underneath the body again. Got out & looked - from what I see, the plastic wheel strakes would be the thing hitting the guide (Honda puts them on the hybrid to improve cD & improve gas mileage). In the past, I know I didn't scrape anything lining the wheels up in the guide rail.
So...I'm thinking I need replacements. I know OEMs lose their 'new' feel after 10K miles - but to be honest, I didn't expect to be replacing them *this* soon. Car is out of 'basic' warranty; if I went to complain to Honda, I might get some assistance (and I might not). In any case, I'd be getting another set of OEMs. So I figure I'll be buying a set with a 'lifetime' warranty.
The car is my daily driver, it's paid for, gets 48-52mpg, depending on season, and except for a set of dedicated snow tires, I've only had to change fluids / filters on the car to date. I do maintain the car myself, and I have the shop manual for it, as well. You can probably guess that I plan on hanging on to it for awhile
One problem is that I don't seem to be able to find aftermarket versions for the '06-current Civic - the catalogs stop at '05, which was the previous generation. Else, I'd probably get a set of Monroe's, and call it a day.
Options:
OEM spec for Civic Hybrid. I know I can get them from Honda. But I'd like something that I won't have to replace again, and I do like to corner somewhat aggressively (but safely), to maintain speed & improve fuel economy.
OEM Civic Si spec - these would be valved differently, and would probably give me improved handling around corners. Car would ride more harshly (I also have an S2000, and don't want something akin to that for a daily driver). I've driven the original '06 Si coupe, and it's reminiscent of the S2K.
Wait for someone like Monroe to release a version for the car. I don't know when this would be, but we're approaching 4 model years - shouldn't *someone* have a replacement by now?
Aftermarket performance - Bilstein, Tokico, Koni - again, I don't see applications for my car as of yet.
Finally - I know I can replace the rear shocks without much incident. The struts concern me a bit - I don't have a spring compressor (I'd get one), and I know in any event, if I mess up, it could be painful for me and the car. :no-no: But I do have a decent tool setup, and I think I could do the job. Would that void any 'lifetime' warranty? I'm thinking it would. I know I'd need to have a 4-wheel alignment done afterward. As far as my tires - I've got about 43K on those (note the snow tires), and they've been rotated on schedule, so I've got a decent amount of tread left.
Thoughts? (thx for reading - I know this is a long post
I've noted over the last couple of months that the car seemed to have a lower height when I viewed it from a distance. Not lower in the back, but lower all around (?) And of course, with 48K on it, the shocks aren't going to be what they were when new, ride-wise (I've noticed; it's subtle, but it's different).
A couple of incidents happened lately that lead me to believe that I've got worn shocks and/or struts (front is strut, rear is shock). The first was when I drove two other people to lunch, and after going over one speed bump in the parking lot at work, the car bottomed out - it was noticed by all.
The second was two days ago - I accidentally hit a skunk, and the odor was on the undercarriage. So I took it to a local car wash where I could get the undercarriage washed. One of those automatic jobs at the local gas station. I'd been to this car wash once or twice before - however, when I was (slowly) putting the wheels in the guide, I heard the crunch from underneath the body again. Got out & looked - from what I see, the plastic wheel strakes would be the thing hitting the guide (Honda puts them on the hybrid to improve cD & improve gas mileage). In the past, I know I didn't scrape anything lining the wheels up in the guide rail.
So...I'm thinking I need replacements. I know OEMs lose their 'new' feel after 10K miles - but to be honest, I didn't expect to be replacing them *this* soon. Car is out of 'basic' warranty; if I went to complain to Honda, I might get some assistance (and I might not). In any case, I'd be getting another set of OEMs. So I figure I'll be buying a set with a 'lifetime' warranty.
The car is my daily driver, it's paid for, gets 48-52mpg, depending on season, and except for a set of dedicated snow tires, I've only had to change fluids / filters on the car to date. I do maintain the car myself, and I have the shop manual for it, as well. You can probably guess that I plan on hanging on to it for awhile
One problem is that I don't seem to be able to find aftermarket versions for the '06-current Civic - the catalogs stop at '05, which was the previous generation. Else, I'd probably get a set of Monroe's, and call it a day.
Options:
OEM spec for Civic Hybrid. I know I can get them from Honda. But I'd like something that I won't have to replace again, and I do like to corner somewhat aggressively (but safely), to maintain speed & improve fuel economy.
OEM Civic Si spec - these would be valved differently, and would probably give me improved handling around corners. Car would ride more harshly (I also have an S2000, and don't want something akin to that for a daily driver). I've driven the original '06 Si coupe, and it's reminiscent of the S2K.
Wait for someone like Monroe to release a version for the car. I don't know when this would be, but we're approaching 4 model years - shouldn't *someone* have a replacement by now?
Aftermarket performance - Bilstein, Tokico, Koni - again, I don't see applications for my car as of yet.
Finally - I know I can replace the rear shocks without much incident. The struts concern me a bit - I don't have a spring compressor (I'd get one), and I know in any event, if I mess up, it could be painful for me and the car. :no-no: But I do have a decent tool setup, and I think I could do the job. Would that void any 'lifetime' warranty? I'm thinking it would. I know I'd need to have a 4-wheel alignment done afterward. As far as my tires - I've got about 43K on those (note the snow tires), and they've been rotated on schedule, so I've got a decent amount of tread left.
Thoughts? (thx for reading - I know this is a long post
