The answer may depend on your driving style. Some people feel that front shocks are more important because they control the steering. Others believe that rear shocks are more important because they keep the back end of the vehicle from bouncing around.
If your car has gas-filled shocks, you can replace them yourself. Start by raising the car with a jack and removing the old shocks. Then, insert the new shocks and lower the car.
The answer is yes, you can replace just the shocks and not the struts. Most people believe that they need to replace both the shocks and struts at the same time, but this is not always the case. Shocks typically need to be replaced more often than struts since they are more exposed to the elements and tend to wear out quicker.
If you're replacing your rear shocks, you might need an alignment. Check your owner's manual to see if your car needs an alignment after replacing the rear shocks. If you're not sure, ask a mechanic.
5/5
All Weather Fluid: Contains special modifiers to reduce friction and ensure smooth rod reaction
1/2 inch Diameter Piston Rod: Nitro carburized rod for long service life. On non-dust shield units only
1-3/16 inch Bore: Larger bore than most shocks to provide more efficient and consistent control
$234
The new part for my 1993 Toyota truck 2WD is a direct fit ( 22re ). Since the stock shocks needed to be replaced, the ride quality much improved. In terms of shocks, installation is as simple as it gets. 1 hour from beginning to end for all 4 shocks. They are solely for the front.They don't come with a boot. What you receive exactly what is seen in the second image. You can either run them without boots or get a pair separately. I decided to let them run without.
4.9/5
This kit includes a pair of matched left and right side shock absorbers. Tuned for each specific vehicle application, this will greatly improve the ride, handling and safety of your vehicle!
Guaranteed Exact Fit for easy installation
Engineered for superior durability, backed by industry leading warranty
100% BRAND NEW, premium ISO/TS 16949 quality - tested to meet or exceed OEM specifications
Our brand new premium passive replacement shock absorber is designed to maintain the ride quality and handling of the original unit at a much lower price than the dealer. This shock absorber maintains the original air suspension system but deactivates the electronic shock control of the original unit. It includes a built-in plug that turns off the dash warning light and the shock absorber has been designed to handle all driving scenarios without the need for electronic damping adjustment.
$234
My 2003 Escalade's OEM airbag shocks were directly replaced by these. Outside of the box, these were well packed and appeared to be of excellent quality. I have no reason to believe that the shock's bags would malfunction because of their design, despite the fact that they appear to be constructed of a rubber substance rather than the OEM's rubber/canvas mixture. I simply needed to make one alteration and installed these in 15 minutes per side. I had to nick the corner of the air compressor housing since the electrical plug on the top of the new shock was about a half inch longer than the OEM one. Because the housing is designed to hold thicker steel, cutting the notch with a dremel tool is simple. If not, you will have to remove the air compressor itself and use a hacksaw to notch the box. Since these parts are aftermarket, some degree of customization will always be required to make them function. In a few months, I'll give you a long-term update.
4.7/5
This kit includes a pair of matched left and right side shock absorbers. Tuned for each specific vehicle application, this will greatly improve the ride, handling and safety of your vehicle!
Guaranteed Exact Fit for easy installation
Engineered for superior durability, backed by industry leading warranty
100% BRAND NEW, premium ISO/TS 16949 quality - tested to meet or exceed OEM specifications
Our brand new premium passive replacement shock absorber is designed to maintain the ride quality and handling of the original unit at a much lower price than the dealer. This shock absorber maintains the original air suspension system but deactivates the electronic shock control of the original unit. It includes a built-in plug that turns off the dash warning light and the shock absorber has been designed to handle all driving scenarios without the need for electronic damping adjustment.
$234
My husband wrote this review because, well, I have no idea how to install shocks on a vehicle. (lol) After watching, there was no way, no how I could even try to.It was nice that they arrived earlier than expected because I had the weekend to get them on.My everyday commute entails traveling several miles on a concrete highway with numerous expansion joints in my 2014 F350 SRW long bed (12,000 miles). I was jumping so much that I thought my bones might rattle themselves apart, as many others have said. Even drinking my coffee on the way to work would result in spills all over the place. The factory-installed Rancho shocks were worthless.I purchased this kit after hearing positive feedback from other people who had used it. That seems like an understatement to me. With these on, it's like the difference between day and night. Sure, it's not completely smooth like a Cadillac, but the ride has improved so much that I now even more appreciate my vehicle. Plus, I can now drink my coffee on the way to work. I no longer worry that the bounce will ruin me (yes, it was that bad).I urge everyone who owns a Ford F250 or F350 with that horrible bounce to purchase these. I don't think you'll be let down.
4.7/5
Bilstein 33-253190
$234
I recently put these Bilstein 5100 shocks on the back of my 2018 F-150 Super Crew. I noticed a definite improvement in the way the truck rides right away. Since I got my truck two months ago, the rear end has been, in a word, "twitchy." Bumpiness was not absorbed, and the rear end always felt unsteady when traveling over them. After the Bilstein upgrade, the wheels stay put on medium bumps, the rear end still jumps off the ground on major holes and speed bumps, and the rear end now absorbs little bumps so I don't feel them (but not as much as it used to). Any new F-150 owner should switch to them straight away and get rid of the junk that came with the vehicle from the factory, in my opinion.The factory shocks performed far worse on compression and rebound tests than the 5100's after I removed them. There wasn't much gas in the factory shocks. Additionally, the ride was not as smooth as the 5100's. I was not surprised that the rear end was so jittery from the factory after compressing them a few times. Although I can't comment to the 5100s' durability, my immediate impression is that they are absolutely worth the $150 outlay.It took around 30 minutes to install. There is no need to jack up the truck; the installation may be done with the vehicle parked at ride height. The two rear shocks may be changed with just a few metric wrenches, a torque wrench, a small pry bar, and blue LocTite. The torque specification for the top and bottom bolts on my truck was 66 ft. pd. On the driver's side, the upper nut was a touch peculiar. UPDATE: I've been driving for nearly three weeks on these two rear Bilsteins. They look to be a little bit "breaking in," in my opinion. Compared to when I originally installed these, the ride seemed much better. I no longer try to avoid bumps; instead, I simply push through them.
4.7/5
Shock Absorber Shock
GM 1500; R; 2014- ; 5100 Series
$234
Chevy Silverado LTZ 4x4 Crew from 2014 - I upgraded the payload, towing, and lift using assistance springs in the back. Additionally, a 1" spacer for 2" front leveling was placed under the front struts (lift). Michelin LTX AT2 tires (one size taller, same width). Alignment. For almost six months, I used Rough Country N3 rear shocks. Over bumps, the butt end usually seemed weird, jelly-like, and bouncy. had a payload of 500 lbs. of dirt, and it grew worse. I'm done with it! When I contacted Bilstein and explained my problems, they suggested these shocks. had them set up using their recommendation to "boot down." What a change from the CRAP Rough Country N3 shocks, holy smokes.THE BETTER:- The immediate change is the way the road feels. Now that it has been "fixed," the truck no longer jounces, bobs, or has weird side-to-side wobbling.- The vehicle is as smooth as European butter on the road and absorbs road shock like it should. "Sophisticated" is perhaps the best descriptor.- She now stays PLANTED and doesn't jounce and bounce after hitting the nearby railroad rails at high speed (on the usual route).- I haven't used these off-road, so I can't comment on that.I inserted a photo of them in place. Notice the difference between my truck, a brown Silverado, and the white Sierra in the other image?
4.6/5
Shock Absorber Shock
GM 1500; R; 2014- ; 5100 Series
$234
It was simple to install the Bilstein shocks on my 2001 Dodge 1500 4WD because they are a reliable brand. Make sure you purchase the right model for the car you intend to install them on. They reduced a lot of bounce and gave my truck a little more stability. If you're seeking to replace your current shocks, I would without a doubt recommend.
4.5/5
Includes washers and bushings.
$234
Bump stops were about 5/8" higher than original on the 2005 Simarado Extended Cab Z71 Z, and the tires were a bit larger than stock at 285/70/17. Torsion bars appear to have less alternatives for good ride quality, however I think these shocks make a difference. They successfully balance the truck's strength with its smoothness. The stock shocks, which could be considered soft but do not permit excessive movement, do not allow the suspension to react and move as quickly or as far as they do with these aftermarket shocks, in my opinion. After some balancing experiments on tire pressure, load, and trailer duty, I have found them to be a really good shock and well worth the money. I have been looking for a mix between good street ride and heavy duty longevity. To relieve the wrinkling, I did have to slide the boots quite a distance down the shock, but after two months of multiple duty Yes, it was worth the effort and expense.
4.4/5
All Weather Fluid: Contains special modifiers to reduce friction and ensure smooth rod reaction
Fits buick lesabre 2000 to 2005 rear, lucerne 2006 to 2011 rear, park avenue 1997 to 2005 rear, riviera 1995 to 1999 rear, cadillac dts 2006 to 2011 rear, deville 2000 to 2005 rear
Compressed length is 14.5 inch, extended length is 24.37 inch and travel length is 9.87 inch. Also fits seville 1998 to 2004 rear, oldsmobile aurora 1995 to 1999 rear and 2001 to 2003 rear and pontiac bonneville 2000 to 2005 rear
1/2 inch Piston Rod: Hardened and precision ground rod for consistent performance and long service life
Full Displaced Valving: Better valving range on both the compression and extension cycles of the unit for a smooth comfortable ride
$234
This past weekend, my wife and I put these on her 2004 LeSabre, and they were a huge improvement. I was aware that the air ride was broken for some time, but the car recently started to wobble frequently and got much worse (perhaps as a result of a curb). I started shopping for components when it started to make my wife queasy while she was driving. The pricing, which is hard to beat at $65 for a pair of shocks, finally convinced me to switch back to air shocks after having a hard time deciding. They were installed, and they operate flawlessly. They came with simple mounting gear, and installation was trouble-free. I maintained all the OEM mounting hardware because it was superior to the hardware that came with these shocks (the nut didn't seem to be a lock nut) and I may not have realized they came with hardware until I was halfway through the installation.The only challenging element was trying to raise the automobile without overextending the shocks. The car's rear end is too light to prevent the shock from stretching, thus it probably made sense to rent a spring compressor.The shocks haven't been used much, but so far, they've been wonderful, and I plan to update as they do.
4.4/5
Shock Absorber Shock
GM 1500; F; 2014- ; 5100 Series
$234
The greatest alternative for leveling your GMC or Chevy is this. Of course, this assumes that you don't want to spend over $1,000 on a set of Fox coilovers.Ignore the leveling spacer kit. Actually, spacer kits are terrible for your IFS truck's geometry. Your truck's geometric angles are unaffected by these Bilsteins. They do not restrict up or down movement. Take a look at the photo I've included; they might even make travel faster. On their website, Bilstein provides a fantastic flowchart of how they operate.They not only can and will level your ride, but they also raise the standard of the ride. It's challenging to describe the difference in words, but it's definitely evident, especially on rocky terrain. Less brake dive and body roll are present, and the front end seems more controlled. I had them installed on four of my GMC Sierras, including a 2007, 2012, 2015, and my 2018 right now. My trucks get a lot of miles, which is why I use them so frequently. It's now my default upgrade and first modification when I purchase a new GM truck. I have received every suspension package GM could possibly give (z71, NHT, and z51?) These shocks are superior to them all, particularly the Rancho shocks that come with the Z71. I've played with every setting for these shocks, but I generally prefer the third notch, which is the second-highest setting. At this position, they level the truck while still leaving a small rake for towing.These are also expertly constructed. Excellent welds, lovely zinc finish. These are very likely to last longer than your stock units. They have never caused me any problems.If you want to get rid of that ridiculous "rake" in your truck and improve the ride quality, I recommend buying these if you have anything other than a GMC Denali with magnetic ride control.I use a wall-mounted coil spring compressor to install them myself. If you don't already have a wall-mounted compressor, I advise having these professionally installed. The ones available for rent at car parts shops are not secure. The rental trucks are fine if you have a Toyota Tacoma or mid-size pickup. These more recent "1/2 ton" trucks (which are closer to 1 tons now than ever) have incredibly strong springs. If you do, installing it is fairly simple. max. 2 hours.
4.4/5
All Weather Fluid: Contains special modifiers to reduce friction and ensure smooth rod reaction
Full Displaced Valving: Tuned specifically for each application, this valving automatically adjusts to road extremes to provide consistency and ride
Fluon Banded Piston: The fluon band provides consistent sealing between the piston and pressure tube which delivers better control and increased durability
$234
First off, unlike what the website says, these shocks are sold as a pair. Considering that O'Reilly's wanted $129 for each and that the lowest price I could find for them online was $175 for the pair, $87 is a wonderful deal. A single box with the Monroe name on it and instructions inside contains two shocks. Then, an Amazon box is packed with that box. These are what I put on my 2008 Jeep GC Overland 2WD with 5.7 Hemi. As a result, when you first install them, they are rigid and won't allow you to compress them like my prior ones did. In my situation, this meant that after removing my existing shocks, I had to jack up my jeep's body by about 4 inches in order to fit these in. Because it's so simple, I just utilized the scissor jack that came with the jeep. They fit easily, and once I replaced the two (15 mm) bolts, the repair was complete. All told, the installation of both rear shocks took 25 minutes, not counting the time it needed to clean up afterward and tow the vehicle back to the garage. I ought to have asked my wife to do it because it was so easy. On mine, there are absolutely no clearance difficulties. It now sits somewhat higher in the back, but that's okay. This is merely a bonus since my jeep already sits level after I activate the equalizer hitch without these shocks and I often tow a 28-foot trailer, therefore I already have air bags. The sole rationale for installing these was a leaky original shock. About 98,000 miles had been put on it. Anyway, it rides well, should be helpful for towing, but most importantly, it was incredibly simple to install. I'm a carpenter, not a mechanic, but I can watch YouTube videos, so that's what I did. I hope this is useful to you. Here is a picture of how it appeared after installation.
If your shocks are bad, you may notice that your car does not handle as well as it used to. You may also notice that your ride is not as smooth as it used to be.
In order to check your shocks, you will need to jack up your car and support it on jack stands. Once the car is supported, grab a friend and have them bounce up and down on each corner of the car. If the car bounces more than once, then your shocks need to be replaced.
There are a few signs that your shocks may need to be replaced. If your car starts to feel bouncy when driving over small bumps, or if it takes longer than usual for the car to stop bouncing after going over a bump, then your shocks may be worn out. You may also notice that your car feels like it's floating or drifting more when making turns. If any of these things are happening, it's time to get your shocks checked by a mechanic.
Shocks typically last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. However, this varies depending on the type of vehicle you have and how you drive. If you frequently drive on rough roads or do a lot of off-roading, your shocks may wear out more quickly.
When a car's shocks begin to fail, the ride becomes choppy and more jarring. You may also notice that your car feels unstable when making turns. These are all signs that it's time to replace your shocks. The cost to replace a shock will vary depending on the make and model of your car. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 per shock. If you're doing the work yourself, you'll just need to factor in the cost of the shocks and any tools you may need to complete the job.
If you're looking to replace all 4 shocks on your car, it'll generally cost you between $200 and $400. This does, of course, vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. But all in all, it's not a terribly expensive repair.
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