Rear shocks/ springs question

[powerinit]

Hey guys, my dad and I have a 86' caprice brougham, and just a few months ago we had the rear shocks/ springs replaced because the rear was sagging all the time (even with no load). After we got it back it was fine for a month or so, now its right back to where it was. This is pretty aggravating because when we go over a bump and someones in the back, the car normally hits the ground and the suspension isn't even that old. I'm thinking it is the result of the mechanic putting cheapo/ junk shocks/ springs in the back, but I was wondering if anyone else's wore out that fast? any suggestions on what to replace em with? Just looking for some insight, thanks for any help.

[silicon212]

What kind of shocks did you use?

The springs are not hard to replace and do not require any special tools beyond a jack and jackstands, and a 19mm socket to remove the lower shock bolts. It takes about 5 minutes per side, even for someone with limited experience, to remove and replace the springs.

I'd recommend a good set of 9C1 springs for the best performance, but this can adversely affect the ride quality. I'm using "RJ" springs on the back on my car (1994 9C1), and although they give the ride quality of a pickup truck, they keep the back high and keep the wheels glued to the road.

A good set of shocks are about the largest handling modification you can do to your car, for better or worse. Stay away from the cheap shocks, these go away fast and do not offer the safety and performance of better shocks (such as Monroe Sensa-Tracs which give a decent ride).

[CD Smalley]

You might also consider a set of Air-Lift spring bags. They are cheap, $60. And will let you adjust for loads easily. I have a set in both of my cars and love them.

[powerinit]

Thanks for the info guys, I don't know for sure what brand the mechanic used on the back, but the shocks are blue in color. I think after I get my car fixed and on the road, i'll throw a better spring/ shock set on the caprice seeing as though we got the electrical issue fixed on it.

[capriceowns]

I have Rear air shocks on mine. The guy I bought it from, he said he put them on at least 10 yrs ago. There AC ones. which is now AC delco. and I keep about 35 psi in them, and they hardly lose air, every month i add about 5 pounds. and they ride extremely nice.

I suggest air shocks once you get decent springs back there.

[silicon212]

Air shocks are good for towing or lugging large loads, but they do not lend well to high performance driving (cornering and handling), so that's one thing to keep in mind when selecting springs and shocks. It all depends on your driving style.

[powerinit]

Well, we normally drive around 55-60 and almost all driving is done in the country and some in the towns, but their roads arn't the greatest either. I was looking at those sensa tracs that you mentioned here, at one point a while ago (before I even joined here), but wasn't thinking much into this happening with these shocks and such dieing out so soon because the front is still good. I think the car might be mine soon and I wanna try to get some better equipment on it, so that's why I ask ahead sometimes. Anyways, I'd probably buy from a local autoparts store and the way their site looks, there's a lot of monroe shocks of different types and then a some gas shocks from KYB. There's more, but one type is only for drag racing and the last is kinda expensive. So I guess i'll buy monroe, but I don't know which one to choose. There's a gas magnum Rv, Sensa Trac, Max Air - Air Adjustable Kit, Monroe Matic Plus - Gas Charged. KYB just has 2-3 variations of a gas shock. So what do you guys think I should choose? Thanks again for the help so far.

Link to the shocks I was looking at - http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...+Strut%2c+Rear

[1968 Pontiac]

I've added rear variable rate coils, 9C1 front and rear sway bars, and monroe sensa trac rear coil over shocks to my 91 Caprice, and now the car handles much better around corners. I also have front sensa trac coil overs, but haven't gotten around to installing them yet. The rears that I took out were regular sensa trac's, but they weren't even close to being dead yet; they're going into my 1985 Buick Lesabre. The Buick used to have the same systems you described until I installed a set of variable rate coils in that one. She's fine now, even with the old shocks and about 200 pounds worth of tools in the trunk at all times.