Hi, need new shockers for my ford wagon 1996 . Not sure if l need pump up ones , but l need new shockers and thats a given . How do l tell which ones , ty lan
I agree with Baz re starting a new thread simply because people (like me) who answer your old thread get a bit annoyed to see that it was pointless.
However, I'll disagree with Baz re pump up shockies and say that they have been used for many years and can lift the ride height. Still fairly common too.
The Falcon came from the factory with Monroe shockies by the way and I'm guessing they are the originals so they are 20 years old.
If the ride prior to the shockers becoming U/S was fine for your purposes, then I would replace units with same units. They were designed for purpose, and will guve the best mix of ride and life for your vehicle.
If the ride was not suitable for your use prior to the shockers going, rather than getting ideas from the forum, I would go to a suspension specialist to get professional guidance on what you need.
People here have set up suspensions, with guidance to suit their set ups, and that may or may not work for you. If you follow their instruction or guidance you could end up with an expensive mistake and a vehicle that is worse than before.
As for air shockers, I understand they are becoming harder to find, and many are going to "helper" airbags, as I have on the Cruiser, to assist but not replace the springs.
Finally, air shockers or air bags will not replace the need for a WDH if your vehicle needs one, or manufacturer recommends one.
As for brands, I think any or the major brands will be suitable, have decent warranty, and give you good service. I would probably avaoid the internet for this purchase at a bargain price!
Good Luck.
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
I agree with Baz re starting a new thread simply because people (like me) who answer your old thread get a bit annoyed to see that it was pointless. However, I'll disagree with Baz re pump up shockies and say that they have been used for many years and can lift the ride height. Still fairly common too. The Falcon came from the factory with Monroe shockies by the way and I'm guessing they are the originals so they are 20 years old.
Good Luck.
Reply to the red highlight
The problem with pump up shocks is they can easily break the mounts in many installations, ESPECIALLY if use to carry the load.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Baz is correct - shock absorber mounts were never designed to carry load. They are there to mount shock absorbers to and the shock absorbers job is to control the reactions of what ever type of spring system (coil, leaf, torsion bar . rubber , air bag ,etc.) is used.
Years ago I had an old Kingswood and we put a big roof rack on the top and set out for central Australia with the 3 kids and a tent etc. Put some air shocks on to lift the back up to height. They worked well and when the going got rough pumped the shocks up a bit more for more clearance. No problems. Did that trip and then let the air shocks down to the minimum pressure for normal work. If I had a big load just pumped them up on the day. Those shocks were still on the car when it was sold years later and working well. I would recommend them from my experience.
However like all extras you fit to a vehicle use them with (un)common sense. They are an extra tool to use not a solution to all your overload problems.
Jaahn
PS I would say the ride in the old Kingswood with the load was much more comfortable than a 4WD of the day and cruising on the dirt roads then was much easier than most others out there. Trailers were falling by the wayside in pieces everywhere because of the overloads and the corrugations.
-- Edited by Jaahn on Tuesday 8th of March 2016 06:11:17 AM
