What kind of shocks to get?

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Originally Posted By: 02SE
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: 02SE
I'd also consider KYB Gas-a-Just shocks.

KYB = Keep Your Bilsteins.

Clever.

I own both currently. I've owned both in the past. I installed a lot of both on customer cars back in my consumer car repair days.

I'd take either over a Monroe product.

All in good fun. I'm sure the high-end KYBs are just fine.

Koni also makes a nice shock/strut.
 
If you don't at least consider the Gabriel Ultra line you missed the best buy in HD shocks.

I have them on everything from a Mazda/Ranger to my son's Yukon. They are even great on our 9000 pound plus service vans.

Completely guaranteed by them and battle tested here by me...
 
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Only problem I had with KYB is rust - seemed to have thin paint - one might consider a rattle can job of good primer and top coat before putting them on.
Currently running Rancho on the GMC and they get worked pretty hard on long dirt roads ...
 
kyb makes shocks for several OEMs. I've seen them on both chryslers and subarus. I had a set of GR2s which were surprisingly good shocks. Great sports car ride but they'd still open up over larger obstructions so you kept your teeth.

Based on Steve's Gabriel Ultra experience that may be my next attempt when the truck's shocks get tired.
 
Wish this thread would have showed up a little early.

My Sentra's struts have been leaking for years but lately, it got worse while going through the potholes. I went through many boards and everyone had opinions about every brand out in the market. Finally, I got Gabriel Guardian ReadyMounts, because I read good words about them. Boy, I was wrong. They are absolutely worthless. I do not feel any different than the rusted leaky OEM struts. I feel like, I may be putting my old ones back within a year.
 
Originally Posted By: Dumc87
No dog in this fight, just chiming in that through researching shocks for my Jeep Grand, it was Bilstein 5125's, Pro Comp MX6 or ... Well pretty much those two were the "best"

I've read Rancho's work, but are very stiff. Great for those who don't care about a Cadillac-like ride though. Had a buddy who worked at a franchise-style shop and he'd recommend Rancho's often. I believe their Rancho XL line? Something like that.



You read right. I put some Rancho's on my 91 Bronco and couldn't believe how rough they made it ride with the short wheel base but they were just what I needed for towing the boat I had at the time. It handled so much better.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
If you don't at least consider the Gabriel Ultra line you missed the best buy in HD shocks.

I have them on everything from a Mazda/Ranger to my son's Yukon. They are even great on our 9000 pound plus service vans.

Completely guaranteed by them and battle tested here by me...


Very happy with Gabriel Ultra's on my 05 Honda Pilot, 15K+ miles on them since I put them on last November. Yeah we drive that thing a lot.
 
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: 02SE
Originally Posted By: rooflessVW
Originally Posted By: 02SE
I'd also consider KYB Gas-a-Just shocks.

KYB = Keep Your Bilsteins.

Clever.

I own both currently. I've owned both in the past. I installed a lot of both on customer cars back in my consumer car repair days.

I'd take either over a Monroe product.

All in good fun. I'm sure the high-end KYBs are just fine.

Koni also makes a nice shock/strut.


I agree with everything above.
thumbsup2.gif


I once installed a set (4)of Monroe's, complete with mounts etc. on a 8 year old Escort. This included all related hardware etc.

Biggest waste of money ever. Should have stuck with the 8 year old OEM set with 100k+ miles
 
Good to know about the Gabriel Ultras since I don't think there's a Bilstein shock for the Matrix.
 
I have been following this thread and am a bit surprised at some of the responses. Its not a small compact so any comparison to how shocks for this vehicle compare to those on small grocery getters are irrelevant.

I am surprised no one has picked up on why the Bilstein is superior and cost more. Its the only monotube in the list hence the higher price, you cant compare a monotube to a twin shock or strut. The Blistein B6 4600 is a premium shock the other two are budget units unless you get the Monroe Reflex Monotube series and at that price point the Bilstein is still a better value.
 
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Good to know about the Gabriel Ultras since I don't think there's a Bilstein shock for the Matrix.


The good news is that Bilstein does make shocks for the Corolla. The rear Corolla shocks fit the Matrix/Vibe perfect with no problems, as long as you don't have AWD. The front struts will also fit if you drill out the two lower holes a bit, as the steering knuckle bolts are a little bigger in the Matrix/Vibe than the Corolla, but they otherwise fit fine.

Another option is Koni's Corolla shocks. Again, the rears fit the exact same as long as your Matrix isn't AWD. The front Konis are that stupid cut-a-strut insert thing, where you have to cut the old damper out and fit the Koni into the old housing, but it doesn't require anything that you wouldn't have to do to a Corolla.

Originally Posted By: Trav
I have been following this thread and am a bit surprised at some of the responses. Its not a small compact so any comparison to how shocks for this vehicle compare to those on small grocery getters are irrelevant.

I am surprised no one has picked up on why the Bilstein is superior and cost more. Its the only monotube in the list hence the higher price, you cant compare a monotube to a twin shock or strut. The Blistein B6 4600 is a premium shock the other two are budget units unless you get the Monroe Reflex Monotube series and at that price point the Bilstein is still a better value.


KYB Gas-a-Just and Gabriel Max Control are also monotube
smile.gif
 
I have never had an issue with Monroe (so long as it is not the cheapie Gasmatic/Monroematic that you have).

I have the Monroe Gas Magnum on the front of my F150, and Gabriel Ultra on the rear. Noticed no difference on the rear shocks over the OEM with 170,000 miles on them.
I noticed a huge improvement in ride with the Monroe on the front. Would KYB, Bilstein etc be better, no idea, truck rides like I want it to, so no need for me to try (or spend 3x the money).
I have had good results with the Monroe Reflex in the past on several vehicles (mostly SUV's), and have heard the Monroe OESpectrum are good as well (no personal experience).

Shocks are very subjective, what one may hate, another may like, even on the same vehicle.
 
I have had Gabriel Ultras on my daughter's Rav4 and MaxControls on my truck for the last year or two. Saved a lot of money and very satisfied with both.
Excellent value.
 
Put KYB's on the truck, should have gone with the Bilsteins.

UD
 
I replaced the original shocks on my Avalanche z71 last summer. The z71 package came with Bilsteins so that is what I put back on it. I didn't want to screw up the comfortable highway ride. The factory shocks had over 260,000 miles on them. They were well past worn out.
 
I have Gabriel Ultras on my GMC 1500 I put on over 2 years ago, have nothing but good things to say. Nice ride and I towed a camper on a 1500 mile round trip and was always confident in the handling.
 
This has been a very good thread - I'm back at the end of 10 miles of ---- dirt road again - running Rancho as the yellow and blue are just freaking expensive - so good to hear folks are doing fine with lower cost makes - and the OEM's are not always that great to start with
 
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