2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Shocks again

[RClark]

Two shock questions. First, on a 3500 how cah you tell if they are worn out. The springs are too tough to bounce.

Second 2wd, auto and tow a 13000 lb 5th. What are the best shocks as now i usually tow most of the miles.

 

[Road Dog]

Speed bumps are a good test at the normal 15-20mph. If it bottoms or bounces at all then the shocks needs replacing. The favoured shock are Bilsteins from Geno's.

 

[fest3er]

The best type of shock is of a monotube construction. The best of these, in my opinion, are made by KYB. If you want an 'ordinary' ride, get the GasAjust model. I've had a set on my truck for about 10 years and about 200K miles and they still seem very solid, though the last time I had one or two off, they had loosened up a bit compared to the old set (I still have laying around) that I took off after 75K miles.

If you want a stiffer shock (more 'performance'), go with their Monomax model.

In over 450K miles and 3 or 4 vehicles (cars and P/Us), I've never had a KYB monotube-construction shock fail or wear out. Their price is also fairly reasonable, generally more than 'cheap' shocks and less than expensive, adjustable, performance' shocks.

To test shocks on a Dodge? 'Feel' how they respond to a washboard road. If you maintain good control, they may be OK. If you're all over the road, replace the shocks. (And check the rest of your suspension components. ) Also, to test the front shocks at least, get going 5-10 MPH and comes to a fair hard stop and let the truck bounce after the stop. The nose should dive down a little while stopping, then return to level. If it return to level with no or very little overshoot, the shocks are OK. If the nose overshoots level a little coming up, the shocks are worn. If the nose definitely overshoots level twice or more (up-down-up-down), the shocks are too weak to provide proper damping under dynamic road conditions.

Folks I've convinced to use KYB monotube shocks are astounded at the 'performance' of them. And I rarely hear a complaint about shocks from them for years after.

Case in point. At 26K miles, the shocks on my '84 200SX would let the rear tires bounce at least 6 times on every 2" concrete slab joint on I-84 in NY. After I installed the new rear shocks and the front strut cartridges, those jounces were damped to a half-cycle. The '87 Formula 350 I had after that could become airborne on a sudden road 'drop', land, and stabilize in a half cycle. Since then, as long as I could find KYB GasAjust shocks for my vehicles, I've used them. And if I couldn't find them, I'd call KYB and ask. The Monomax is a fairly new model that's even stiffer.

 

[CAPTPHIL]

650000 mi. on BILSTEINS, on 01. 5 3500, replaced bushings at 500000 under warranty. Truck is used for marine transportation and pulling my 5th wheel toy hauler. They get a good work out running from Florida to Long Island N. Y. for most of the miles with 15 to 20000 lbs. and up to 2500lbs. tongue weight. I have been using them for over 25 years with no problems. See my sig. for current truck bought new.
Good Luck Capt Phil