Shocks and struts Which ones!!

[Ex-CA Driver]

OK I believe its about that time to get new shocks and struts. the Q is still a great ride and all, but am am starting to feel bumps and irregularities in the road that I sholdn't feel. At first I thought it was the seats as they are quite firm, but when I looked at the wheel wells the boots are torn. i went to Mida (hmm) and they told me that they could order all the parts I needed for approx $1100. I don't believe that included labor. I am going to call Joe tomorrow to see how much the parts would be. now I know most of you have a certain kind, but I am looking for something that will prevent or keep nose dive to a minimum and give great ridwe comfort, but yet still be firm enough to take the curves of I44 at 85-90mph.

[DAEDALUS]

For $1100, that BETTER include a new set of tires. Did that include new springs? I think Scottsdale has the Blues with the boots as a set for about $100 each, give or take. Add some new rubber bushings and spring hats, and you're at a little more than half what they quoted you. Not many options out there for the Q. Basically Tokico blue or Tokico black, unless you want something a little more custom (pricey). The blue is (I think) 20% stiffer.

[Ex-CA Driver]

OK so now that i knwo I am being ripped off in "the Heartland". What is the difference in the Blues and the Blacks. I believe you said 20% stiffer. Whew. If my car was any stiffer, I don't think that I could take it. I would like a harmonious balance between the two. firm and supportive, yet soft enough for long state to state drives.

[DAEDALUS]

The Tokicos will break in and soften up over time. Q45tech makes it clear they're not breaking in, but wearing out. The new rubber will do a lot to ease the ride while the shocks soften. If your other components are original, you probably need to replace the sway bar end link bushings if you have a sway bar, and check the rear strut bushings and the tension rods too. Each rubber component is like a spring that is in series with the rest of your suspension, and each one hardens as it ages. Do the struts first, and then start replacing bushings if the ride is too harsh or if they're cracked/torn.

[Q45tech]

Shocks have a finite life which is a function of the number and speed of the up and down cycles and the ambient temperature in which they are exposed while doing their work!All shocks start out stiffer than necessary and it is goes down hill day by day as they are used up! Tokico uses pressurized Nitrogen to expand the shock and to keep cavitation [bubbles in the oil] to a minimum to help control hot fade!You measure whether the shock has slowed or lost the ability to self expand [time in seconds from full compression to full expansion] as a clue to internal fitness! Unfortunately the shock must be off the car to test.

Lots of shock changing on a Q gives us a good idea how long the shock lasts in varing conditions.....years seem to equate to 12,000 miles and extra miles per year decrease the life.The fronts seem to last a year or two longer than the rears.

But in most cases the oem blacks and aftermarket blues are done at 4-5 years the fronts might still be working at 6 years if the roads are smooth.

Failure is not defined as total worthless and leaking fluid but as a percentage of dampening ability vs brand new [this is specified as a range [see page FA22 in manual]] like EXPANSION: 223 to 165 pound inch for a 1.0 ft/sec acceleration.

Obviously if you buy a used car and don't know how it rode brand new you may think the shocks are ok until you see the radical difference a new set all around makes ............especially in the rear sway and stability in emergency manuvers!

Believe me I try to lengthen the time period between changes but the wallow just gets too much for me even at 55,000 miles [just at 3 years] on the rears. When you change the rears you will then feel how bad the fronts are getting [in my case they have 40,000 miles [2.5 years].......nurse them along to spring I guess.

Shocks are probably the most neglected item on a Q because they are not critical to starting or driving, then tires and brakes.

Even T3 doesn't recommend changing them [until the test drive gets dangerous for a expert driver or the shock fluid is all leaked out covering the suspension with grime] because the owners just accuse us of "finding too many things wrong with their car" and we are afraid owners will put off something like brakes or tires.............triage in prolonging life is necessary.

If you can figure a way to get Blue wholesale at $65 and spent an hour each $260 is not much money every 4-5 years but when you pay $600 plus $350 in labor.....it has a way of getting deferre!

[DenverQ]

I have the blues on back and blacks on the front I have also replaces every rubber piece along with the sway bar bushing. Semms to be ok for me but its still a little rough I wonder if its just the blues in the back, or if something else is up hmmmmm maybe. I still need take the shocks apart and measure the springs, maybe this weekend.

[greg_atlanta]

A good argument for Tokico blues in back is that they cost about half of the factory shocks. Not much difference on the front shocks.

Rear shocks tend to wear out faster anyways. Replacing rear shocks only with Tokico blues might be a good idea for now.

[Bob_99Q]

Does KYB offer one of their gas shocks for the Q?They make shocks for the "L"brand of cars and are really great for ride and long lasting.

bl

[natsoundup]

Sorry I have been having trouble getting in....

I don't always agree with guru Q45 tech (nothing personal but it's too easy to maintain or over-maintain your car/house etc, when you are getting stuff wholesale)...but let me tell you my shock story and why I agree with him here... I did the front shocks at 135k or so (I am not a very aggressive driver)...and could immediately tell a decent difference... then a month or two later did the upper links and noticed an incredible difference.....so much so that it was clear there was something wrong with the rear. (I mistakenly thought there was so much less weight in the rear --and I rarely have rear passengers-- why should there be an issue with the rear shock aborbers).

Well our good friend Sopdadope sold me two tokico blues for 125 shipped... I had a tech put them on the other day for $114 total and now the car rides like a dream ( I have and still have to do the rubber for the sway bar bushings).

I am almost to the point where I am not embarrassed to take it to T3 just to say hello.

90Q 148k, new rear and almost new front tokico blues and upper links....oh and new belts, too!