Not eV-8: New shocks

Clem Clement

Clem Clement

Well-known member
As mentioned in my other thread on Tires, I'm old school in that when I buy new tires I usally replace the shocks. Good shocks are manditory in my mind.

Saturday afternoon I called a Chevy dealer whose parts guy wasn't worried about what he said as the boss wasn't in. He said they change very few shocks these days. Maybe that means that folks stay away from OEM replacements or does it mean shock don't wear out?

My tire guy offers Gabriels and I have had good luck with them years ago.

Another reason I ask this is a couple of us old guys have OEM tires that are sculping on the edges. This cause a humm and small vibrations on the road. We have asked different dealers if this small vibration chews up the shocks and they say no. Maybe newer shocks are better designed and built than in the old days?

Clem, happier in his 39 peeekup
 
I think it may be as simple as shocks (even OEM) may be better built, most owners wouldn't know a vehicle with bad shocks if it hit them in the forehead, or lots of drivers lease or trade more often these days. I drive my vehicles till they are used up; right now my 2WD Tahoe is 12 years old and still going strong. Oh, and my sons understand never to grace Dad's driveway with a foreign car.
My father-in-law bought new cars the last three times he needed tires, to me his logic defies description, but the Buick dealer loves him.
 
227,000 miles on my 3 year old Z71 and original shocks are still good...
I think these new gas shocks are a world away from the old hydraulics..

Go to Midas and have them checked:D hahahaha... Then bend over..

The oem shocks are much better than a Gabriel/Monroe..
 
I have never replaced shocks on any of the vehicles I have owned I have owned since I was in high school. I did replace one shock on a 39 Dodge I had in high school because it crapped out completely and was making a heck of a racket. If the car bounces up too far, then you need shocks, but just to replace them every XXX miles as a matter of course is only enriching the dealer. My 2¢.
 
Lawson Cox said:
I have never replaced shocks on any of the vehicles I have owned I have owned since I was in high school. I did replace one shock on a 39 Dodge I had in high school because it crapped out completely and was making a heck of a racket. If the car bounces up too far, then you need shocks, but just to replace them every XXX miles as a matter of course is only enriching the dealer. My 2¢.
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I agree in most cases, but in the late 60's and early 70's General motors had VERY bad shocks. I owned a repair shop then and you could take one of these shocks in your hand and they had no resistance in many cases. The only times I replaced shocks on my own car (non GM) was to get one more heavy duty. Replacing shocks with new tires is not a good investment most of the time.
 
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