What to consider when buying USED shocks?

[98goldbird]

What should one consider when buying used shocks? I know SLP has their T/O Shocks but I'm looking at ebay to buy some Bilstein shocks, and they are out of a Formula with 20k. I wanna call the guy, so what questions should I ask?

[Nathan]

As far as I know the SLP T/O's are Bilstein shocks. Do you plan on doing springs at the same time? With 20K on the car chances are that they haven't been abused too much but you never know. You can ask all the questions you want (but for honest answers you never know). Squeeking, bottoming out, bouncing, etc can all be problems with worn-out shocks.

[PewterBird]

Taken from the sticky

Shocks:
First and foremost this is the one item which must be replaced if you seek good handling, performance, and comfort. The stock shocks are good, not great, but do not tend to last much longer than 25,000 miles before they're at least 50% worn. They can be cheaply replaced by getting take-offs from SLP, or can be permenantly replaced with options ranging from $250-1000.

If you don't know what to get, you almost cannot go wrong with normal Bilstein HDs. They will work great for almost all setups (at least better than stock for sure) and will outlast the car. For $300 they're a bargain. As an option, if you have specific needs, Sam Strano at www.stranoparts.com will revalve them for you at a cost and send them to you as custom shocks for your application.

For adjustable shocks, Koni SAs and DAs (Single and Double adjustables) are the other good option. KYB makes a set of AGX shocks that are "adjustable" however they don't adjust in the same way that Koni's do and are pretty worthless for someone in need of an adjustable shock. I recommend going with Bilsteins or Konis, they are both tried and true shock replacements and can be used for any setup and work very well.

It looks like 20k isn't all that bad.

But for 329 you can get brank new. from Sam Strano

Suspension:Pontiac:Firebird:1999

Part Information:
Part Number:
BIL-B46-1913/14
Make:
Pontiac
Model:
Trans Am & Firebird with LS1 and LT1
Year:
93,94,95,96,97,98,99,00,01,02
Type:
Bilstein HD
Brand:
Bilstein
Area:
Front & Rear
Description:

This is a package of 4 shocks. The price has been reduced over $100 on the kit. It includes the B46-1913 and B46-1914 units.


Price:
$329.00

[hawgs]

tisk tisk... Sam Strano is not a site sponsor. People should get just as upset when his name is mentioned as they do when www.bimmerparts.com is mentioned.

[98goldbird]

Are you suggesting I use Bimmerparts.com hawgs? [img]graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]

[95Batmobile]

You will probably have to get the shocks revalved if you are going to lower the car too.

The regular Bilstein HDs are meant more for the stock ride height.

[PewterBird]

Originally posted by hawgs:
tisk tisk... Sam Strano is not a site sponsor. People should get just as upset when his name is mentioned as they do when www.bimmerparts.com is mentioned.

Im going to have to pass the blame to Dominic the moderator. He has Strano's website in the sticky at the top of the forum. :cool:

[V6Bob]

"tisk tisk... Sam Strano is not a site sponsor. People should get just as upset when his name is mentioned as they do when bimmerparts is mentioned.

No, they shouldn't get upset at all.

There's a _huge_ difference. The other guys are just parts sellers to us fbody types, like a million others. Strano is unique, he's an f-body guy who has a great deal of suspension knowledge he shares freely. He maintains his own message board and has been generous with his time (and that knowledge) with several of us on the phone.

You can't possibly lump those two together. Strano is not just a price, he's a great resource to fbody owners and deserves our support regardless of whether he is sponsor of this particular site. He can't sponsor every fbody site.

www.strano.com

[PewterBird]

Originally posted by V6Bob:
"tisk tisk... Sam Strano is not a site sponsor. People should get just as upset when his name is mentioned as they do when bimmerparts is mentioned.

No, they shouldn't get upset at all.

There's a _huge_ difference. The other guys are just parts sellers to us fbody types, like a million others. Strano is unique, he's an f-body guy who has a great deal of suspension knowledge he shares freely. He maintains his own message board and has been generous with his time (and that knowledge) with several of us on the phone.

You can't possibly lump those two together. Strano is not just a price, he's a great resource to fbody owners and deserves our support regardless of whether he is sponsor of this particular site. He can't sponsor every fbody site.

www.strano.com

V6Bob

I was telling 98goldbird on aim, how much of a suspension genius you were.

Do you think he should buy the used shocks with 20k on them?

[98goldbird]

Here is the link..... eBay

[V6Bob]

1. I'm not a genius, mostly a guy who reads a lot.

2. If it were me I'd find ways to save money that don't involve buying used parts which are critical to the safety of my car.

[ September 16, 2004, 04:22 PM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]

[98goldbird]

That's what I was thinking as well Bob. I mean, i already have the $300+, so why not save a week more and get NEW ones.

[Controlman]

What V6BOB said x2

[FunkZ]

SLP springs (the "upgraded" suspension package available on the SS and WS6) are made by Eibach for SLP and lower the car by appx. 1" over stock. They also have a progressive rate which helps to keep a softer ride over small imperfections, and get harder to compress when pushed farther, as in cornering or larger bumps.

Since the SLP Bilsteins were made especially for SLP to put on the SS/WS6 I'd say they were valved with the reduced travel in mind. Regular Bilsteins have stronger dampening and rebound than the SLP version.