Car Shock Absorbers

**F5 Dave** · 2nd January 2019, 17:20

Ok so I know squat about cars having just bought my 2nd after a gap of 30 years. I've replaced shocks in both Van's, current one twice and both wifeys cars (that's one wife, two cars, although irrelevant to the general thread) . Used to have access to kybs at a good price.

So the new car is white and has a wheel at every corner. It gets used to commute and family holidays. I initially thought that it had surprisingly tight suspension as it has naff all body roll. But get the speed up over bumps and on longer drives and the remaining oil calls time and the wheels start skipping about. Tyre wear has been scary.

So I'm assuming the sway bars or whatever and spring rates are perfectly good for our windy hill, choppy roads. Not interested in trying to get any excitement from a car. Ok it's an Atenza which is like a 10 yr old Mazda 6 import.

I'll keep it for a good while so I want something that will last I dunno another 80,000ks like it's just about to clock over, actually the van has done 150k on current shocks and they aren't too bad.

So what should I buy that will be comfortable, keep the wheels where I want them, and last ok without being too spendy?

I'll probably pay someone to put them in as I'd rather spend my time riding or working on my project bikes.

Oh yeah. YouTube. Looks easier with a hoist.

**AllanB** · 2nd January 2019, 20:14

Monroe car shocks have been around for a long time and appear to be a common 'go to' name. Like most things automotive they start at 'standard' factory equivalent and go up to fancy adjustable this and that versions.

**FJRider** · 2nd January 2019, 20:35

Let your fingers do the walking ... there's one shop near you ...

An E.mail or phone call might give you a good idea from those that know about these things ...

The Atenza's are pretty trendy nowadays ... so they would have seen a few.

https://shockshop.co.nz/shock-absorbers

**F5 Dave** · 2nd January 2019, 20:44

Originally Posted by AllanB

Monroe car shocks have been around for a long time and appear to be a common 'go to' name. Like most things automotive they start at 'standard' factory equivalent and go up to fancy adjustable this and that versions.

Yeah and that's what I don't know. I put the budget Munroes on one of my vans and I think they were shagged in , well some amount of time. Guess they are plain damper rod shocks. Wifeys Corolla got slightly flashier Munroes and they made a huge improvement. That mechanic is gone so can't ask him. I paid no attention as, you know its a car and shit just paid the bill.

Thought someone might have some actual understanding, like I would with bike shocks, before I pop in the couple of places down the road so at least have some reference.

**husaberg** · 2nd January 2019, 22:09

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Yeah and that's what I don't know. I put the budget Munroes on one of my vans and I think they were shagged in , well some amount of time. Guess they are plain damper rod shocks. Wifeys Corolla got slightly flashier Munroes and they made a huge improvement. That mechanic is gone so can't ask him. I paid no attention as, you know its a car and shit just paid the bill.

Thought someone might have some actual understanding, like I would with bike shocks, before I pop in the couple of places down the road so at least have some reference.

I think the Moroe GT were twin tube gas.
Bilsteins were the go to for the rally guys single tube deign.
All the local cop cars here had Konis put in from new.
there is an Assue crowd that made shocks modern shim dampers resonable at the time price SVO i think.

**F5 Dave** · 3rd January 2019, 07:27

I know a guy who does testing for all the cop cars to bring them up to spec. They do some crazy shit, but he'd know exactly what they run. That said they spend taxpayer dollars and I don't think my budget is on the same level.

**husaberg** · 3rd January 2019, 08:00

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

I know a guy who does testing for all the cop cars to bring them up to spec. They do some crazy shit, but he'd know exactly what they run. That said they spend taxpayer dollars and I don't think my budget is on the same level.

I think they have to keep em std now.
They used to do all poly bushes sway bars etc as well.

I think it was AVO i was meaning not SVO
Turns out they are pommy but sold in aussie
http://www.avoaustralia.com.au/pricelist.htm
Variety of designs and adjustability inc coil overs but rebuild-able.

**BMWST?** · 3rd January 2019, 08:35

your knowledge of motorbike shocks is applicable to the car.Visits a couple of local shock shops and ask....get some quotes.The place that did the shocks in the van will be able to tell you what they are,if you take the van in.Then get the same sorta shocks to suit the madaz

**F5 Dave** · 3rd January 2019, 12:53

Shockshop local place $1300 for Munroes, seem to be emulsion shocks with spring blow off. Pretty dark ages. Looks like I can Trademe the same shock (but need to confirm) from Partmaster for $206 per front free shipping, his was $250 + gst, but didn't end up itemised, just memory. Hate the whole bang gst thing on the end like an after excuse when dealing with the public, just be honest what the cost is.

Think I'll be asking local mechanic fitment price.

**FJRider** · 3rd January 2019, 13:10

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Shockshop local place $1300 for Munroes, seem to be emulsion shocks with spring blow off. Pretty dark ages. Looks like I can Trademe the same shock (but need to confirm) from Partmaster for $206 per front free shipping, his was $250 + gst, but didn't end up itemised, just memory. Hate the whole bang gst thing on the end like an after excuse when dealing with the public, just be honest what the cost is.

Think I'll be asking local mechanic fitment price.

Online ... USA I think ... ???

https://www.autozone.com/suspension-...-front/mazda/6

**pritch** · 3rd January 2019, 13:31

Originally Posted by F5 Dave

Shockshop local place $1300 for Munroes,

Supercheap Auto advertise KYB, prices vary according to car model.

**AllanB** · 3rd January 2019, 16:34

Any shock with KY in the name should have very low friction .....

Repco do a in house range complete with spring at reasonable prices - especially of they have a sale on. No ideal if any good but they have Aussie sourcing ability and there are a few Auss made brands that appear to get decent reports on the web pages.

**Kickaha** · 4th January 2019, 17:55

Originally Posted by husaberg

I think they have to keep em std now.

They're all lease cars so I doubt they dick with them

We used to fit heaps on Munroe but most of that was Budget related as they were cheaper, expected lifespan of most of the brands used to be about the 40k mark, if the shocks are rooted then anything will improve it, make sure you do an alignment after they're fitted

**husaberg** · 4th January 2019, 18:18

Originally Posted by Kickaha

They're all lease cars so I doubt they dick with them

We used to fit heaps on Munroe but most of that was Budget related as they were cheaper, expected lifespan of most of the brands used to be about the 40k mark, if the shocks are rooted then anything will improve it, make sure you do an alignment after they're fitted

Yip if our lease companies any thing to go by they even sign off on the tyres (for safety we pay for them) and refuse to allow stuff like interior lights to be fixed
The company that owns Monroe brought Marccozhi about 10 years ago then they shut them down a couple of years ago.
I thought they would have been alright as they did MTB stuff and all the mini MX bikes had them

**F5 Dave** · 4th January 2019, 18:56

Originally Posted by Kickaha

They're all lease cars so I doubt they dick with them

We used to fit heaps on Munroe but most of that was Budget related as they were cheaper, expected lifespan of most of the brands used to be about the 40k mark, if the shocks are rooted then anything will improve it, make sure you do an alignment after they're fitted

I've seen videos over beers, of brake testing and what they upgrade the Mouldens.