Elle

"Mark G." <anon40629@hotmail.com> wrote
> "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the
>> shock absorber needs replacement?
>
> The car wallows like a pig. The nose dances up and down
> after braking.
>
> It's definitely past-due for new shocks.

Meaning no disrespect; it's just that there aren't many
reports of failed shock absorbers here, even for a car this
old. Per chance are you a somewhat, uh, aggressive driver?

Elle

"Mark G." <anon40629@hotmail.com> wrote
> "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the
>> shock absorber needs replacement?
>
> The car wallows like a pig. The nose dances up and down
> after braking.
>
> It's definitely past-due for new shocks.

Meaning no disrespect; it's just that there aren't many
reports of failed shock absorbers here, even for a car this
old. Per chance are you a somewhat, uh, aggressive driver?

loewent via CarKB.com

My shocks were a little different than yours... once I got them out of the
spring, I did a test on them to see how well they functioned versus the new
ones I had purchased.

None of the old ones appeared to be leaking badly (some oil was present), but
it was the travel that surprised me. The new shocks came back quickly once
compressed. My old ones took their time, and 2 of them actually never made
it back to full extension.

Also, on the old ones when you compressed them, you could hear the oil
squeezing through the passages inside the shock, and little air bubbles
moving around. New ones were silent.

However, I think they held up admirably considering the 282000kms on them.

I think what kills shocks up here is the temperature differential... +35C in
summer and -40C in winter. Talk about your severe service schedule....

Elle wrote:
>What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the shock
>absorber needs replacement?
>
>I replaced the springs on my 91 Civic, but the shock
>absorbers themselves showed no signs of leakage and seemed
>to work fine by the usual test (push and watch how they
>release). Even the springs might have been overkill.
>
>Control arm bushings and ball joints are another matter. For
>1991, the bushings in particular may be due.
>
>> Great info, thanks everyone.
>>
>[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>> Thanks
>> -Mark

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...-cars/200709/1

loewent via CarKB.com

My shocks were a little different than yours... once I got them out of the
spring, I did a test on them to see how well they functioned versus the new
ones I had purchased.

None of the old ones appeared to be leaking badly (some oil was present), but
it was the travel that surprised me. The new shocks came back quickly once
compressed. My old ones took their time, and 2 of them actually never made
it back to full extension.

Also, on the old ones when you compressed them, you could hear the oil
squeezing through the passages inside the shock, and little air bubbles
moving around. New ones were silent.

However, I think they held up admirably considering the 282000kms on them.

I think what kills shocks up here is the temperature differential... +35C in
summer and -40C in winter. Talk about your severe service schedule....

Elle wrote:
>What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the shock
>absorber needs replacement?
>
>I replaced the springs on my 91 Civic, but the shock
>absorbers themselves showed no signs of leakage and seemed
>to work fine by the usual test (push and watch how they
>release). Even the springs might have been overkill.
>
>Control arm bushings and ball joints are another matter. For
>1991, the bushings in particular may be due.
>
>> Great info, thanks everyone.
>>
>[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>> Thanks
>> -Mark

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...-cars/200709/1

loewent via CarKB.com

I ended up with Monroe Sensatracs, but mostly because I couldn't find
anything else. They are lifetime warranty, and seem to be doing OK so far.

Have heard good things about KYBs. Inexpensive too.

Yes it is possible to use a small compressor. Just be prepared to wait for
the compressor to catch up with the air tool, and if you come across a really
stubborn bolt it may not be effective. Just make sure you can boost the
pressure to about 100-120 PSI.

I used a 3.5HP twin tank compressor with a 650ft-lb MAC gun. The MAC sucks
alot of air, but it worked OK. The compressor worked on 120V instead of 240V
which is good as I am not wired in my garage for 240V.

Mark G. wrote:
>Great info, thanks everyone.
>
>Any recommendations for make/model of replacement shocks to use here in the
>USA? I'll be doing all four corners of the car. It's my daily driver, not a
>racer.
>
>Also, is it possible to use an impact driver with a "pancake" air
>compressor, even in short bursts?
>
>Thanks
>-Mark

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...-cars/200709/1

loewent via CarKB.com

I ended up with Monroe Sensatracs, but mostly because I couldn't find
anything else. They are lifetime warranty, and seem to be doing OK so far.

Have heard good things about KYBs. Inexpensive too.

Yes it is possible to use a small compressor. Just be prepared to wait for
the compressor to catch up with the air tool, and if you come across a really
stubborn bolt it may not be effective. Just make sure you can boost the
pressure to about 100-120 PSI.

I used a 3.5HP twin tank compressor with a 650ft-lb MAC gun. The MAC sucks
alot of air, but it worked OK. The compressor worked on 120V instead of 240V
which is good as I am not wired in my garage for 240V.

Mark G. wrote:
>Great info, thanks everyone.
>
>Any recommendations for make/model of replacement shocks to use here in the
>USA? I'll be doing all four corners of the car. It's my daily driver, not a
>racer.
>
>Also, is it possible to use an impact driver with a "pancake" air
>compressor, even in short bursts?
>
>Thanks
>-Mark

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...-cars/200709/1

Elle

I think this was a nice study you did, loewent. I am tempted
to re-consider replacing those on my 91 Civic. Leaking "some
oil" would have been a red flag (alarm, actually) to me,
though. I would replace if any oil was seen leaking.

My 91 Civic is on 198k miles.It's never seen temperatures
lower than about 0 F, so the extremes for it have not been
as bad. Still, for several years I have long felt the
suspension did not handle speed bumps well. I just wrote it
off as the "cost" of an inexpensive car. Maybe I am wrong.

"loewent via CarKB.com" <u10197@uwe> wrote
> My shocks were a little different than yours... once I
> got them out of the
> spring, I did a test on them to see how well they
> functioned versus the new
> ones I had purchased.
>
> None of the old ones appeared to be leaking badly (some
> oil was present), but
> it was the travel that surprised me. The new shocks came
> back quickly once
> compressed. My old ones took their time, and 2 of them
> actually never made
> it back to full extension.
>
> Also, on the old ones when you compressed them, you could
> hear the oil
> squeezing through the passages inside the shock, and
> little air bubbles
> moving around. New ones were silent.
>
> However, I think they held up admirably considering the
> 282000kms on them.
>
> I think what kills shocks up here is the temperature
> differential... +35C in
> summer and -40C in winter. Talk about your severe service
> schedule....
>
> Elle wrote:
>>What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the shock
>>absorber needs replacement?
>>
>>I replaced the springs on my 91 Civic, but the shock
>>absorbers themselves showed no signs of leakage and seemed
>>to work fine by the usual test (push and watch how they
>>release). Even the springs might have been overkill.
>>
>>Control arm bushings and ball joints are another matter.
>>For
>>1991, the bushings in particular may be due.
>>
>>> Great info, thanks everyone.
>>>
>>[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>>> Thanks
>>> -Mark
>
> --
> Message posted via CarKB.com
> http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...-cars/200709/1
>

Elle

I think this was a nice study you did, loewent. I am tempted
to re-consider replacing those on my 91 Civic. Leaking "some
oil" would have been a red flag (alarm, actually) to me,
though. I would replace if any oil was seen leaking.

My 91 Civic is on 198k miles.It's never seen temperatures
lower than about 0 F, so the extremes for it have not been
as bad. Still, for several years I have long felt the
suspension did not handle speed bumps well. I just wrote it
off as the "cost" of an inexpensive car. Maybe I am wrong.

"loewent via CarKB.com" <u10197@uwe> wrote
> My shocks were a little different than yours... once I
> got them out of the
> spring, I did a test on them to see how well they
> functioned versus the new
> ones I had purchased.
>
> None of the old ones appeared to be leaking badly (some
> oil was present), but
> it was the travel that surprised me. The new shocks came
> back quickly once
> compressed. My old ones took their time, and 2 of them
> actually never made
> it back to full extension.
>
> Also, on the old ones when you compressed them, you could
> hear the oil
> squeezing through the passages inside the shock, and
> little air bubbles
> moving around. New ones were silent.
>
> However, I think they held up admirably considering the
> 282000kms on them.
>
> I think what kills shocks up here is the temperature
> differential... +35C in
> summer and -40C in winter. Talk about your severe service
> schedule....
>
> Elle wrote:
>>What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the shock
>>absorber needs replacement?
>>
>>I replaced the springs on my 91 Civic, but the shock
>>absorbers themselves showed no signs of leakage and seemed
>>to work fine by the usual test (push and watch how they
>>release). Even the springs might have been overkill.
>>
>>Control arm bushings and ball joints are another matter.
>>For
>>1991, the bushings in particular may be due.
>>
>>> Great info, thanks everyone.
>>>
>>[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>>> Thanks
>>> -Mark
>
> --
> Message posted via CarKB.com
> http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...-cars/200709/1
>

Mark G.

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> Meaning no disrespect; it's just that there aren't many reports of failed
> shock absorbers here, even for a car this old. Per chance are you a
> somewhat, uh, aggressive driver?

Perchance not. My last moving violation was an illegal U-turn
in the mid-1990s.

My mechanic has listed "needs shocks" on my invoices
for quite some time.

Mark G.

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> Meaning no disrespect; it's just that there aren't many reports of failed
> shock absorbers here, even for a car this old. Per chance are you a
> somewhat, uh, aggressive driver?

Perchance not. My last moving violation was an illegal U-turn
in the mid-1990s.

My mechanic has listed "needs shocks" on my invoices
for quite some time.

jim beam

loewent via CarKB.com wrote:
> My shocks were a little different than yours... once I got them out of the
> spring, I did a test on them to see how well they functioned versus the new
> ones I had purchased.
>
> None of the old ones appeared to be leaking badly (some oil was present), but
> it was the travel that surprised me. The new shocks came back quickly once
> compressed. My old ones took their time, and 2 of them actually never made
> it back to full extension.
>
> Also, on the old ones when you compressed them, you could hear the oil
> squeezing through the passages inside the shock, and little air bubbles
> moving around. New ones were silent.
>
> However, I think they held up admirably considering the 282000kms on them.
>
> I think what kills shocks up here is the temperature differential... +35C in
> summer and -40C in winter. Talk about your severe service schedule....

nah, theres two things that kills shocks. one is mechanical wear -
honda are good in that department. the other is time. the shocks are
gas pressurized - reduces cavitation. over time, the gas pressure
drops, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. once the pressure is
below the cavitation threshold, performance fades rapidly.


>
> Elle wrote:
>> What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the shock
>> absorber needs replacement?
>>
>> I replaced the springs on my 91 Civic, but the shock
>> absorbers themselves showed no signs of leakage and seemed
>> to work fine by the usual test (push and watch how they
>> release). Even the springs might have been overkill.
>>
>> Control arm bushings and ball joints are another matter. For
>> 1991, the bushings in particular may be due.
>>
>>> Great info, thanks everyone.
>>>
>> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>>> Thanks
>>> -Mark
>

jim beam

loewent via CarKB.com wrote:
> My shocks were a little different than yours... once I got them out of the
> spring, I did a test on them to see how well they functioned versus the new
> ones I had purchased.
>
> None of the old ones appeared to be leaking badly (some oil was present), but
> it was the travel that surprised me. The new shocks came back quickly once
> compressed. My old ones took their time, and 2 of them actually never made
> it back to full extension.
>
> Also, on the old ones when you compressed them, you could hear the oil
> squeezing through the passages inside the shock, and little air bubbles
> moving around. New ones were silent.
>
> However, I think they held up admirably considering the 282000kms on them.
>
> I think what kills shocks up here is the temperature differential... +35C in
> summer and -40C in winter. Talk about your severe service schedule....

nah, theres two things that kills shocks. one is mechanical wear -
honda are good in that department. the other is time. the shocks are
gas pressurized - reduces cavitation. over time, the gas pressure
drops, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. once the pressure is
below the cavitation threshold, performance fades rapidly.


>
> Elle wrote:
>> What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the shock
>> absorber needs replacement?
>>
>> I replaced the springs on my 91 Civic, but the shock
>> absorbers themselves showed no signs of leakage and seemed
>> to work fine by the usual test (push and watch how they
>> release). Even the springs might have been overkill.
>>
>> Control arm bushings and ball joints are another matter. For
>> 1991, the bushings in particular may be due.
>>
>>> Great info, thanks everyone.
>>>
>> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>>> Thanks
>>> -Mark
>

jim beam

Mark G. wrote:
> "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Meaning no disrespect; it's just that there aren't many reports of failed
>> shock absorbers here, even for a car this old. Per chance are you a
>> somewhat, uh, aggressive driver?
>
> Perchance not. My last moving violation was an illegal U-turn
> in the mid-1990s.
>
> My mechanic has listed "needs shocks" on my invoices
> for quite some time.

the best proof you'll ever need is to change them and see how different
the ride is. if you've owned a certain car for a long time, shock
performance decreases slowly and you don't notice the difference. put
new shocks on an old car, and boy, you sure do!

jim beam

Mark G. wrote:
> "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Meaning no disrespect; it's just that there aren't many reports of failed
>> shock absorbers here, even for a car this old. Per chance are you a
>> somewhat, uh, aggressive driver?
>
> Perchance not. My last moving violation was an illegal U-turn
> in the mid-1990s.
>
> My mechanic has listed "needs shocks" on my invoices
> for quite some time.

the best proof you'll ever need is to change them and see how different
the ride is. if you've owned a certain car for a long time, shock
performance decreases slowly and you don't notice the difference. put
new shocks on an old car, and boy, you sure do!