Are my rear shocks gone?

[FrancoT]

Hey guys,

The buzz from the back of my car is gone (pump noise) but now there car seems to be really rigid going over bumps.. as though it has a sports suspension but doesn't. Is it that the shocks are gone on the thing?

[Indy8]

The compressor should come on at start-up, regardless of the condition of the shocks. If they don't pump up, they tend to feel "dead".

[FrancoT]

Hey Indy,

Thanks! That is what is happening, and the compressors are coming on very frequently at the start and after I turn the car off. What do you think is the issue?

[bustedratchet]

Sounds like a leaker. You might have to jack it up (under the control arm) take the wheel off and inspect them. Give the bage a squeeze see if there is air in them. I've even seen oil leaking out of bad ones.

[Indy8]

Yeah, just replace them. Monroe MaxAir #MA822, $76.55 a pair @ pickproparts.com

[dsatt12]

Monroe MA822s are $55.88 a pair at advance auto parts/parts america (http://www.partsamerica.com/). O'reilly's has them for $59.00.

[Indy8]

dsatt12, are you sure that's right? When I enter my zip code on partsamerica.com, I get $109.99 a pair for rear MA822's and $79.99 each for 71664 front struts.

[dsatt12]

Sorry for the delay- I only tend to check this while at work on the weekends. At night. But I do get to slack off and browse the intenet a lot and get to be a good dad during the week (not to mention save a crapload of money on daycare).

Well, I guess the parts america site is a little iffy as to if that price is for a pair or for each, but I did get it to say 55.88 again. I think the MA-822s only come as a set of 2 as a matter of fact thinking back to my packaging...

Try 50310 as the zip- maybe we have some nasty price gouging going on for CA.

At any rate I did buy them for under $60 at O'Rielly's. I happen to prefer them over Advance due to good cust. serv. in the past.

I didn't check on fronts at all, just going off what I did to fix my rears.

[Indy8]

Yep, $55.88 in Texas too. I'm going into Kragen and ask them about it, I need oil and filters anyway. I'll post their answer if it's worth it.

[Casper1998]

I have the same problem but I am going to replace mine tomorrow. It should run around $60-$80 (In Texas) depending on where you go.

[Indy8]

Allright, I went in to my local Kragen and asked about the regional price differences and the bottom line is, yes they are sticking it to CA residents. He said prices can fluctuate as much as $20 for shocks within the same city or town. He did think double was extreme. They had MA822's in stock for $105.99. Yeah, I'll bet! My father-in-law works for O'Reilly's in Dallas, I'll have him ship me a pair with employee discount.

[philipja]

Do these monroe shock hook up to the factory Air hoses? Also, Are they difficult to change. I ve done shocks but thought I'd ask if there are any surprises on this car.

[dsatt12]

Hmmm, I thought this thread looked familiar...

Nah- they're cake. Everything hooks right up. I had some rattles at first and had to get them seated better, but it was the first time I'd done shocks either...

The only difference is they are a lovely high-vis white that looks a little silly under there at first until they get all grungied up (unless you scuff and spray paint them).

[philipja]

Thanks dsatt

[philipja]

dsatt, Piece of cake! $59.00 and 45 minutes. Easy direct fit setup.
Thanks for your help!