Suspension Issues!

[93formulalt1]

As many of you know, I installed my Eibach ProKit last summer. I only installed the front coils, because I was having issues with the rear bottoming out on bumps as it was, and I knew the rears in the ProKit would only contribute to the problem. . . Anyway, I decided to install them anyway last week, and now I'm looking for a solution to the problem I'm having. I've been offered a set of Air Shocks for $140 with all of the lines and fittings to make it work on my car. I would only run air shocks on the rear, the front would be getting either Koni's or Bilsteins when I can afford them. The air shocks are brand new, and I think they will definitely solve the problem with bottoming out, but I need to know how much additional stress they will place on the stock shock mounts, and if it's actually worth it. My budget is rather small, especially since I lost my job and I'm only working maybe 10 hours a week on average. A full set of revalved Bilstein's is out of the question at this point, but I would like to get my car handling a little better and riding more comfortably when I go cruising. It seems to bottom out the worst when I have anyone riding in the back seat.

Has anyone had any experience with air shocks in a 4th gen? Can you recommend a good set of more affordable shocks that will work with a 2" drop kit? If I can score a set of front and rear shocks that will last a long time without being modified for the drop kit, I might go that route. I was thinking of an air ride system, but the kit from Air Ride Technologies would run $2,500-$3,000. Too much, IMO. Point me in the right direction, guys!

[JDL_Z28]

I don't know much about air shocks, but my gut tells me that from a ride/handling perspective they are not a good idea. I think they would fix your problem, but they are probably going to raise the rear height of the car, canceling out your lowering springs. I am pretty sure air shocks were only used in the 70's to raise the rear of the car up to fit bigger tires and give the car a raked look. I could be completely wrong though.

[93formulalt1]

Air shocks have been used in cars for decades, including new cars today. The guy I would be buying them from is a bit of a Cadillac nut. He tells me that Caddy's and other GM luxury vehicles have used air shocks for decades. His late '80s Eldorado has them, my dad's 95 Olds Aurora has them. That's what the auto ride control systems used. Very comfortable ride, but I would be running them at a rather stiff pressure. . .

I've been looking into Bilsteins and KYB's as far as stock replacement type shocks go, but I don't know where to get some that are valved for my lowering kit. . .

[JDL_Z28]

Do the shocks you are looking into have something like an airbag on them? I knew a kid in high school who had a buick or something with factory air suspension, but that thing had a setup that was more like air springs, and it had an air pump to inflate them. I guess when I think air shock, I think of the ones from the 70's. Sounds like you have something completely different.

[badinfluence]

air shocks are cool as you can adjust the height of the vehicle, and there pretty stiff and rough. it would fix you bottoming out problem

i would just save up for some good handling shocks though

[JDL_Z28]

For revalved shocks you might want to try www.stranoparts.com or give them a call and talk to them about what you want.

[GETGONE]

I think you can buy brand new air shocks from a store for less than that. They're not real expensive. If you're looking for cheap, try some Gabriel Red Rider shocks from Autozone. I put a set on the back of my lowered Sonoma and they rode really good for cheap shocks. They have a lifetime guarantee so if you ruin them, you can get them replaced. I think they were like $60 or less for the pair. I'm not sure if they make them for 4th gens but it's cheap so you could look into it for now.

[WMCC Gary]

As many of you know, I installed my Eibach ProKit last summer. I only installed the front coils, because I was having issues with the rear bottoming out on bumps as it was, and I knew the rears in the ProKit would only contribute to the problem. . . Anyway, I decided to install them anyway last week, and now I'm looking for a solution to the problem I'm having. I've been offered a set of Air Shocks for $140 with all of the lines and fittings to make it work on my car. I would only run air shocks on the rear, the front would be getting either Koni's or Bilsteins when I can afford them. The air shocks are brand new, and I think they will definitely solve the problem with bottoming out, but I need to know how much additional stress they will place on the stock shock mounts, and if it's actually worth it. My budget is rather small, especially since I lost my job and I'm only working maybe 10 hours a week on average. A full set of revalved Bilstein's is out of the question at this point, but I would like to get my car handling a little better and riding more comfortably when I go cruising. It seems to bottom out the worst when I have anyone riding in the back seat.

Has anyone had any experience with air shocks in a 4th gen? Can you recommend a good set of more affordable shocks that will work with a 2" drop kit? If I can score a set of front and rear shocks that will last a long time without being modified for the drop kit, I might go that route. I was thinking of an air ride system, but the kit from Air Ride Technologies would run $2,500-$3,000. Too much, IMO. Point me in the right direction, guys!

I personally would just go with a set on these rather then air shocks.



They work Great. Several Members of WMCC are using these to solve the bottoming out issues caused by the Eibach drop springs.

Air Lift 1000 Load Assist Rear Spring Kits
Solve your suspension problems.

No matter what you drive, Air Lift 1000 Load Assist rear spring kits can solve your suspension problems. These air springs are inflatable air cylinders made from tough polyurethane material, and fit inside your coil springs to add up to 1,000 lbs. of leveling capacity. Each cylinder has an inflation valve, so you can vary the air pressure to level your vehicle and compensate for uneven loads. Load assists reduce roll, sway, and bottoming out, and are available for most cars, trucks, and minivans with open coil springs. They come complete with air lines, fittings, brackets, and mounting hardware.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=AIR%2D60897&N=700 +400054+300083+115&autoview=sku

[93formulalt1]

That looks like exactly what I need, Gary! Thanks for the link! I've never seen those before.

What sort of shocks should I get then? The Eibach website says that the Pro Kit is made to work with stock replacement shocks, so I'll probably just get some KYBs or Monroe shocks from Advance or something, but the Bilsteins are more and more appealing every time I hear about them. They're a little more expensive, but not too much, and probably worth it, from what I've heard.

I personally would just go with a set on these rather then air shocks.



They work Great. Several Members of WMCC are using these to solve the bottoming out issues caused by the Eibach drop springs.


http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

[WMCC Gary]

That looks like exactly what I need, Gary! Thanks for the link! I've never seen those before.

What sort of shocks should I get then? The Eibach website says that the Pro Kit is made to work with stock replacement shocks, so I'll probably just get some KYBs or Monroe shocks from Advance or something, but the Bilsteins are more and more appealing every time I hear about them. They're a little more expensive, but not too much, and probably worth it, from what I've heard.

No problem. Remember when dealing with shocks you usally get what you pay for. cheap shocks = Bad ride, worn out quickly at least from my experience.

[00firebird]

as for your question about the shock mounts, the rears don't really have anything but a bolt on the top and a bolt on the bottom. don't know what you would be ruining. the rear springs have rubber mounts that can be removed from the top and just placed against the bottom of the frame.
either way though just me personally i would stick with a gas shock. just get some cheap tokico's. it will stiffen up the rear so it doesn't bounce around everywhere or bottom out. im currently installing ss4matts old slp bilstein setup and so far its made a wonder of a difference. the stiffness keeps me from bottoming out where i would of otherwise on the old stockers, even though its much lower with the springs. ive heard from sam strano that he doesnt like the valving on the newer bilsteins so he just recommended the tokicos because they were valved similarly. they are 50$ each new on thunderracing can't go wrong for a hundred bucks.

[GETGONE]

Strano is a freaking idiot. He trashed me when I bought Tokicos so bad. Now he's recommending them? What an ass. I have no respect for him. His recommendation changes as much as the wind does.

[93formulalt1]

Strano is a freaking idiot. He trashed me when I bought Tokicos so bad. Now he's recommending them? What an ass. I have no respect for him. His recommendation changes as much as the wind does.

Well, if you bought them and used them, what was your experience with them? Are they the kind of shocks that I'm looking for? I want a stiff ride that handles good and will last a while. Give me your review!

[transampimp]

I don't think your going to find many shocks that last long on the prokit. Even with a set of Koni shocks you could run into issues with the shocks bottoming out internally. I would try the air bags, and see how that works if you want to keep that prokit. I have a feeling that if you get cheap shocks from autozone, or NAPA they won't ride worth crap. They will be valved for your stock shocks.

[93formulalt1]

I don't think your going to find many shocks that last long on the prokit. Even with a set of Koni shocks you could run into issues with the shocks bottoming out internally. I would try the air bags, and see how that works if you want to keep that prokit. I have a feeling that if you get cheap shocks from autozone, or NAPA they won't ride worth crap. They will be valved for your stock shocks.

Where could I order some revalved shocks made specifically for the Prokit then?