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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Flat shocks will ride like buggy cart and cannot be compared to anything new.
The KYBs should be just fine and suit your budget as well.
Originally Posted by Cruisinfanatic
Who said anything about KYB?
When you suggest that anything else (besides bilsteins) are garbage and unsafe, you are wrong
Yeah. I used to use that opinion here.
Found out that those who have to ask the question can't handle the answer.
So I figure they're going to follow the cheap path rather than the right path.
Plus most have no clue as to what the shocks purpose is.
Nor do they really care, as long as its cheap and one person gives them the for going cheap.
Yeah. I used to use that opinion here.
Found out that those who have to ask the question can't handle the answer.
So I figure they're going to follow the cheap path rather than the right path.
Plus most have no clue as to what the shocks purpose is.
Nor do they really care, as long as its cheap and one person gives them the for going cheap.
I wasn't looking for a thumbs up for going cheap My question was concerning how much it would cost to get the job done. When the shop quoted me a ridiculous price I opted to do it myself (by the way the three shops I called all were using the same shocks I'm installing). I understand that bilstens are top of the line but $330 cost compared to $120 cost is a factor. I am a high school teacher and single father. The additional $220 is significant in my pocket. The current shocks are bottomed out, even cheap shocks are better than no shocks. There is no in between. There are bilstens at $330 then monroe, delco and kyb. Based on reviews the kyb are the best of the lesser brands so I chose them. I wish I had the extra money but I don't so these will have to do.
You weren't looking at the right source for your "bilstens". (see post #18 and #21)
Oh, and it's not a good idea to criticize the Coach for giving you good advice.
The price in post 21 was for BMW check the link. The price I saw was from vendor posted 5 posts down and price was $349 sorry. Also if you look neither did I criticize nor ask for advise but thanks for the reply.
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by rocco16
Oh, and it's not a good idea to criticize the Coach for giving you good advice.
No. I get it. He has limits and needs. KYB's fit the bill.
Now on the other hand there are those that wouldn't know a shock from a lug nut.
Nor the importance and value of a performance car and the right equipment to make it work right.
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Originally Posted by Gatorlaw
I wasn't looking for a thumbs up for going cheap My question was concerning how much it would cost to get the job done. When the shop quoted me a ridiculous price I opted to do it myself (by the way the three shops I called all were using the same shocks I'm installing). I understand that bilstens are top of the line but $330 cost compared to $120 cost is a factor. I am a high school teacher and single father. The additional $220 is significant in my pocket. The current shocks are bottomed out, even cheap shocks are better than no shocks. There is no in between. There are bilstens at $330 then monroe, delco and kyb. Based on reviews the kyb are the best of the lesser brands so I chose them. I wish I had the extra money but I don't so these will have to do.
So many on the forum think they have to spend 3-4 times for a part that the car never came stock on the car
Hmmm so I was at this dilemma in March with my 86. My car had original 31yr old Bilsteins that were crapped out. Trying to do 'quality budget' maintenance I looked at every shock out there and yes if I had a car with 8k mi I would've put Bilsteins on it but since I had a used 86k mi car at the time KYB's fit the bill. At the time they had a $40 rebate so I got all 4 for $98 out the door after rebate.
Here's what I can tell you the KYB's were a 100x better than the shot old Bilsteins.
I can also tell you my car went from Ohio to Santa Monica, Ca with KYB shocks NO PROBLEMS. KYBs went through the plains, desert (seeing temps as high as 107*), mountains, twisties, rain, and over 90 MPH on straights (learned the speed limit is 80mph in many states) and they even brought us home.
I put my car through a more grueling test than 99% of all of these internet 'know it all's' would ever do. KYB's are MORE than adequate for these old cars.
Hmmm so I was at this dilemma in March with my 86. My car had original 31yr old Bilsteins that were crapped out. Trying to do 'quality budget' maintenance I looked at every shock out there and yes if I had a car with 8k mi I would've put Bilsteins on it but since I had a used 86k mi car at the time KYB's fit the bill. At the time they had a $40 rebate so I got all 4 for $98 out the door after rebate.
Here's what I can tell you the KYB's were a 100x better than the shot old Bilsteins.
I can also tell you my car went from Ohio to Santa Monica, Ca with KYB shocks NO PROBLEMS. KYBs went through the plains, desert (seeing temps as high as 107*), mountains, twisties, rain, and over 90 MPH on straights (learned the speed limit is 80mph in many states) and they even brought us home.
I put my car through a more grueling test than 99% of all of these internet 'know it all's' would ever do. KYB's are MORE than adequate for these old cars.
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
My car had original 31yr old Bilsteins that were crapped out.
Here's what I can tell you the KYB's were a 100x better than the shot old Bilsteins.
I can also tell you my car went from Ohio to Santa Monica, Ca with KYB shocks NO PROBLEMS. KYBs went through the plains, desert (seeing temps as high as 107*), mountains, twisties, rain, and over 90 MPH on straights (learned the speed limit is 80mph in many states) and they even brought us home.
I put my car through a more grueling test than 99% of all of these internet 'know it all's' would ever do. KYB's are MORE than adequate for these old cars.
And here is exactly why KYBs have such a following here in C4.
1. KYBs are 100x better than 31 year old Bilsteins.
2. KYBs delivered without fail.
3. I can drive my car with confidence at any speed.
My personal experience. I switched to KYBs for our two week vacation years ago from Koni's. Brand new set. After two weeks they were showing their real stuff. Car was floaty. Handling during transitions and turns required more work on the wheel. Not to mention wifey was not pleased with how the car responded to straight line road variations. Oh sure they didn't leak after the first 4K miles. But that is far from proving reliability.
Some will find KYBs acceptable. Others not. But please don't compare old crapped out shocks to anything new. Thats like saying "my new K-Mart tires are 1000% better then the fifty year old flat tires I replaced". Geez...... Sure they are. Thats why you replaced them
We're driving Corvettes, not Grandmas BUICK!
0.02
PS I removed those pieces of crap (sold em here for cheap) and returned to Konis. Wifey made me promise to never do that again.
Happy wife again.
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Aug 8, 2017 at 02:01 PM.
Just got the shocks in and was able to install the front two clearly the old ones were gone I was able to collapse them without resistance. The new ones took all my might to collapse them to get the pin in. Also had my helper without who I would still have been wrestling with them. Only took about an hour and a half to do the two fronts but with rain coming in will have to do the tears tomorrow
So I posted before about the knocking and noise from right rear. Thought it was the wheel bearing. Took it into the shop and they did an inspection and said the bearings and ujoints were good but I need 4 new shocks. He couldn't give me a price as the wharehoise was closed. What should I be looking at for a cost for the shocks and install?
My '95 vert is a cruiser, with 66K miles and Bilsteins were shot from it sitting idle for years (according to Bilstein tech). Rock Auto KYB's arrived, I installed after watching videos and am very pleased. Not racing, just a trip up Angeles Crest occasionally.
So I posted before about the knocking and noise from right rear. Thought it was the wheel bearing. Took it into the shop and they did an inspection and said the bearings and ujoints were good but I need 4 new shocks. He couldn't give me a price as the wharehoise was closed. What should I be looking at for a cost for the shocks and install?
My '95 vert is a cruiser, with 66K miles and Bilsteins were shot from it sitting idle for years (according to Bilstein tech). Rock Auto KYB's arrived, I installed after watching videos and am very pleased. Not racing, just a trip up Angeles Crest occasionally.
Just got the shocks in and was able to install the front two clearly the old ones were gone I was able to collapse them without resistance. The new ones took all my might to collapse them to get the pin in. Also had my helper without who I would still have been wrestling with them. Only took about an hour and a half to do the two fronts but with rain coming in will have to do the tears tomorrow
Good for you two. After you get the rears on tomorrow take it for a ride and you'll notice a nice improvement.
the above pic with the family member is not a pic of a car, its a pic of a memory, one that will bring many smiles in the future. BTW, I think you can send the old Blist, shocks in to be rebuilt..not sure about that tho.
for going cheap.
Sure they are. Thats why you replaced them
The $40 rebate was nice too. 
