Old School Shocks Still Around?

Does anyone remember when you tried to replace your shocks, after you cut that nylon strap, you had about 10 seconds to get that new shock in place before it fully extended and you practically needed a floor jack to get it in place? Are they not made like that anymore? Or am I just repeatedly buying bad shocks? We've gone thru 2 sets of Monroe Sensi-trax, and now a set of Ranchos. They seem to work merely ok when first installed, but after a week or so, I'm back to feeling every crack in the pavement. This truck is just a daily errand truck, no off-roading, barely any long trips, (although it rides GREAT on the highway, it's just absolutely HORRIBLE just driving around town. Now I've got things loosening up inside due to how rough it rides. The front coil springs were replaced last year, along with the shocks. upper and lower ball joints were also recently done. I've searched for SHOCKS, but can't really find any suggestions for that softer ride. Again, this is only a kids' shuttle bus basically, so I don't need any conpromise for any weekend offroading, which I saw alot of. Any suggestions?

I don't understand what your saying. Is it riding to rough, or is it too soft? Since a lot of those type of parts are being outsourced overseas, they are really not what they used to be in quality. My personal opinion, is that OEM shocks are still the best in durability. Bilstien in this case for these trucks. Others may have differing opinions though.

Try this link. I put this same basic question to the Forum.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=506914

Well, I know for a fact certain Gabriel struts and shocks are made overseas, I have seen them in a warehouse I was picking something up. All from China. Monroe parts are now sold as the first line at Canadian Tire. Monroe sells driveline parts(suspension parts , brake parts) up here now and now I see the majority of it is also from overseas too. I am curious if anyone could tell me if Monroe sells suspension(other than struts/shocks)/brake parts in the States? When it comes to suspension parts, brakes, tires, anything more important, I look for it to be made in North America, Europe, Japan, and to a certain degree, Mexico. I don't put anything else on my vehicles that is an important part.

Its a quality/safety thing for me, not anything else. I myself will pay more for something if I know its better.

I am afraid it is a sign of the times. Everything you buy will be partially or totally produced in third world countries. Everything from Bicycles to refrigerators to automobiles to airplane parts. Welcome to Coporate North America.

I say it's riding too rough. it's almost as though I don't have shocks at all. Again, the new ones are slightly better than the previous when first put on, but within a week or two, it's as though they were never replaced. Almost like the shocks go bad. That's why I asked if they are supposed to be so easy to push/extend when the are new out of the box. This has been the situation with the last 3-4 sets in the past year for the front end. Also 2 different brands. I explained to the parts guy what kind of ride I wanted, these are what he recommended. (sensi-trax, ranchos.)

Does anyone remember when you tried to replace your shocks, after you cut that nylon strap, you had about 10 seconds to get that new shock in place before it fully extended and you practically needed a floor jack to get it in place? Are they not made like that anymore? Or am I just repeatedly buying bad shocks? ?


The Old School shocks you speak of were exactly as you described, a floor hydraulic jack.
They were oil filled, and acted much the way a jack does, except less holding pressure.

New shocks are mostly all gas filled, and react faster than oil.

Try searching the internet for oil filled shocks.

Oh, no I wasn't looking for the old type in particular, I just was curious as to why the ones I have bought were so easy to collapse, right out of the box. I thought something was wrong with them. As you have probably guessed by now, it's been awhile since I've had to replace shocks. My dash is all loose now from the hard hits/stiffness of the ones I've been buying. I know I'll never have that Cadillac type smoothness, but I don't want to feel every crack in the road like I have with these past purchases.

What about your tires?
Proper air pressure?
Over sized tire?
Did you install to heavy of springs?
Are the rubber bushings and shock mounting good?
Many things beside shocks help it ride better.
MT