[MiKc]

Hi guys,

Any help would be appreciated as I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not I need to replace the shocks or not. Now onto my questions:

My rear passenger shock might possibly be leaking? Had my car aligned at the shop where I was informed that the shock was covered with oil. Now, from what I've read, it is okay as long as its not at the stage where oil is dripping from the shock? is that true?

In addition, they gave me a quote to replace that one shock. However, I've also read that it is better to replace both rear at the same time? The car is currently sitting at 70,000km

Since my rear driver side is completely fine, no leakage what-so-ever, would it be possible for me to just keep driving as is and wait til both passenger and driver side are out before I replace anything?

Thanks for your input!

[feuer]

Originally Posted by MiKc

it is okay as long as its not at the stage where oil is dripping from the shock? is that true?

not true, could be bad even without showing oil, but if you do, then yes, 100%

In addition, they gave me a quote to replace that one shock. However, I've also read that it is better to replace both rear at the same time? The car is currently sitting at 70,000km

correct, is better to replace them in pairs, just like tires, brakes etc...
additionally, KM don't matter much, mostly weather and road condition.

Since my rear driver side is completely fine, no leakage what-so-ever, would it be possible for me to just keep driving as is and wait til both passenger and driver side are out before I replace anything?

you can wait, but make sure you replace it before winter because leaky shocks freeze and can do chassis damage when they do

go with aftermarket like Koni or Bilstein because they offer life time warranty.

Replace all the shocks now and enjoy a much better car afterwards. 2 birds/1 stone.

[mbanks21]

Rear shocks are fairly cheap and simple to replace. Just do both now and enjoy the better ride/handling.

[MiKc]

Originally Posted by feuer

go with aftermarket like Koni or Bilstein because they offer life time warranty.

Sounds good! Any advice which one to pick?
I've seen people using B4 and B8. B8 is more than double the price of B4, is it that worth it?
As for B4, I heard someone saying it is not a straight swap of oem suspension? Since it needs a shorter spring or something?

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Replace all the shocks now and enjoy a much better car afterwards. 2 birds/1 stone.

Whoaaaa I'm just thinking of replacing the rears haha

Originally Posted by mbanks21

Rear shocks are fairly cheap and simple to replace. Just do both now and enjoy the better ride/handling.

Ya...I really should replace them both but its just that the rear driver side is still perfectly fine. Do you think I can wait till drive side goes out before I replace both? Or it is not good for the car at its current stage?

[VTECaddict]

Just replace both rear shocks now. There's no way to tell if or when the other shock will blow. A blown shock can cause traction issues and unpredictable handling, so fixing it sooner is better than later. Replace as a pair so both sides will perform the same.

It's super easy and cheap to do the rear shocks. You can even do it yourself if you're handy with tools, and it doesn't require loosening any suspension arms, so you don't even need an alignment after. Remove trunk lining, take wheel off, and the shock is just held on by one nut at the top and one nut at the bottom.

[feuer]

You don't need alignment even if you replace the front. For daily driver I would recommend Koni FSD. A lot of vendors have them on sale now. The ride will be very similar to OEM but they have lifetime waranty

[MiKc]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Just replace both rear shocks now. There's no way to tell if or when the other shock will blow. A blown shock can cause traction issues and unpredictable handling, so fixing it sooner is better than later. Replace as a pair so both sides will perform the same.

It's super easy and cheap to do the rear shocks. You can even do it yourself if you're handy with tools, and it doesn't require loosening any suspension arms, so you don't even need an alignment after. Remove trunk lining, take wheel off, and the shock is just held on by one nut at the top and one nut at the bottom.

Ahh, very good info. Thanks a lot!
unpredictable handling, that sounds unsafe. I will replace both then. Thanks!

Originally Posted by feuer

You don't need alignment even if you replace the front. For daily driver I would recommend Koni FSD. A lot of vendors have them on sale now. The ride will be very similar to OEM but they have lifetime waranty

Konis'..ya I've heard a lot of good things about them. Do you have recommendation on which vendor to go to for suspension? I saw Koni FSD as a set of four...hopefully they can sell separately, just the rears

[only1harry]

I would do all 4 (front & rear), unless you are going with OEM shocks in the rear.

I have never replaced 2 shocks with aftermarket and kept 2 of the stock shocks. That's not very wise since the aftermarket shocks do a better job. You car is going to have more understeer than before if you just swap out the rear ones with better shocks. You will have a lot more traction in the rear which means the front of the car will be pushing on the turns resulting in more understeer. You can avoid that by installing all 4 shocks on your car with the same brand/model strut/shock. It's no big deal, you can always do the front later, but might as well do it all together and have your car handle right from the start.

Harry