Click Here .. for more information if your vehicle is lowered or has a lifted suspension.

 

Q. Can I mix and match different kinds of units?

A.  Yes, you can use one design on the front and one on the rear. Some of the manufacturer's engineers do this on purpose. For instance, in many cases,  KYB will use a Excel-G design  on the front of a vehicle, and a Gasajust  on the rear. Monroe may use a OE Spectrum  on the rear, and a Monromatic  design on the front. This is common. Also, there are many cases where you are trying to set your vehicle up a particular way for special needs, such as towing. You may use a  Bilstein design in front, and use Monroe Load-levelers in the rear for support. Mixing different designs, front to rear, is ok. (though, side to side, no. You do not want to use one design on the left side of a vehicle, and another on the right).

Q. How do I know if I have shocks or struts?

A.  Typically a strut has a spring around it, and is an integral part of the suspension. A shock is typically separate from the spring. There are exceptions, but it doesn't matter what you call it, a shock, strut, or Widget Pin, they are not normally interchangeable (without modifications). If your car has a shock, it will only accept a shock.  Likewise, with a strut.

Q. What if my car is lowered?

A.  Different companies have different policies on this subject. Using a reputable spring company (Eibach, Intrax, etc.) is the proper approach. Cutting the spring with a blowtorch or using spring clamps is not. None of the companies we have really recommend their struts for more than a 1 1/2 drop, unless it is one of their Coil-over kits. Some units, like Bilstein Sports and  Suspension Kits, KONI Orange, KYB Gas-Adjust, KYB AGXs, or some KYB Monomaxs, are specifically designed for a lowered suspension. Click Here for more information if your vehicle is lowered.

Q. Where can I get information on the different brands?

A.  Shocks and struts are all designed to have different characteristics. The same way a 44-inch 4X4 tire is different from a low-profile GT 60-series tire. They are both tires, but are designed to do different things. As the old saying goes, "Use the right tool to do the job right". For more information on a particular brand, see our product pages from the links to the left in the menu. The links will take you to pages with more technical information about the available product types or designs. Also see our  Comparison Guide Listing. We also have a Glossary Page that covers the basic designs of any shock.

Q. When should I replace my shocks or struts?

A.  The units we sell in most cases are considered an upgrade by the U.S Government over the stock O.E. suspension units. They can be changed at any time, even right after you purchase a new vehicle. If the vehicle you drive is not up to your expectations or is uncontrollable, you may want to consider better suspension components to improve its handling and safety. Also, you may have special needs for your vehicle that were not incorporated into its design, such as off-road driving or towing.

Also, despite what some people say, there is no time limit, by years or miles, on when you have to change a unit. We do recommend, as part of normal maintenance, giving your suspension a routine visual inspection to ensure it's in good, safe working order.

Q. How do I know when my shocks and struts are bad?

A.  Some of the signs are:

• Control loss, meaning the units have become weak and will no longer dampen the tire and suspension vibration
• Unusual tire wear
• Unit is coated in and/or leaking oil or fluid
• Unusual noise from the unit
• Unit is broken physically - Unit will not move in and out smoothly / or is binding
• Vehicle is unusually "floating" and ill-handling

Q. The rear of my vehicle sags when I tow or haul a load, what shocks will hold it up?

A.  Shocks do not really hold up a vehicle. If you have ever taken the shocks off a pickup truck and set it back down on the jack, you know the vehicle usually sits at about the same height as before. The parts that actually hold the vehicle up are the coil springs, leaf springs, or, in some cases, torsion bars.

That said, certain shocks and suspension upgrades can help reduce rear sag, improve control, and keep the vehicle more level while towing or hauling. Products like Monroe Load-Levelers, Monroe Air Shocks, and Gabriel HiJackers can provide extra support for light-to-moderate load-control needs. However, shocks alone are not designed to turn a half-ton truck into a one-ton truck or increase the vehicle’s factory-rated payload or towing capacity.

For heavier towing and hauling, an air spring or load support upgrade is usually the better solution. Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 is the heavy-duty air spring option, offering up to 5,000 lbs. of load-leveling capacity on compatible applications. It is a strong choice for drivers who regularly tow trailers, haul heavy payloads, or need more rear suspension support than a basic shock upgrade can provide.

The main goal of these products is to keep the rear of the vehicle level with the front, improve suspension balance, reduce bottoming out, and help the vehicle feel more stable while driving, towing, or hauling.

Recommended towing and hauling support options include:

• Bilstein B6 4600 Heavy Duty shocks
• Monroe Load-Levelers
• Monroe Air Shocks
• Gabriel HiJackers
• SumoSprings
• Timbren
• Air Lift 1000
• Air Lift LoadLifter 5000

Q. How do I know what "Valving" Shocks and Struts to purchase?

A.  There are two kinds of valving used on a shock/strut, 'Compression' and 'Rebound'. They are usually represented by a set of numbers, like "240 / 120". Those numbers determine how a shock collapses (compressed) and exstends out (rebound). Generally, these numbers are determined or checked by an Engineer and a shock dyno machine.

Q. What is meant by "Valving" ?

A.  See our Valving scale/chart for Performance Shocks and Struts. If you are still confused use our Quote Form. Our experts will recommend the best shocks/struts for your vehicle based on your driving preference.