New Front Shocks for my 80SX Questions...

[Dan]

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone! For one reason or another (mostly busy at Uni in Final Year) I've not been on the Forum as much as I used to be, so yeah, good to see the usual faces are still here and hope you all had a good Xmas!

To my questions, it's time for 2 new front shocks (ride has deteriorated, and when I had my MOT in the Summer the bloke said I'd have about 6 months left) - and he was right!

Where's the best place to get myself a new set? There's an online place that I remember people have used, anyone recommend a set and where to get them please?

Secondly, how much should I expect to pay to get them fitted... I'm guessing it will work out better to buy my own and get a small garage to wack them on (less than an hours labour init)

Any pointers/help/advice appreciated as ever so I can get the ride quality back on my baby!

 

[Gary]

Just had mine done recently, labour was £40ish, he got the shocks from his supplier and they were expensive If I had more time I would have got them from http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/ heard good things and prices are decent. The diffrence after having them done was great

Gary

 

[Dan]

cheer for that mate!

anyone else?

 

[Dan]

cheers gary - checked out that site, these are the ones i want then: https://sslrelay.com/buypartsby.co.uk/gas-shocks.php?recordID=45

"Kayaba" OR "KYB" as they're called - are they alright?

Or does anyone recommend a better shock?

Car's lowered 35-40mm but don't think that makes a difference?

Cheers for any help!

 

[Dan]

KYB's are the ones to go for Dan, people on here havent got a bad thing to say about them and they are quite cheap too

Dan

Skate2create/D-Unit: Angeltuned Fiat Bravo 1.2 16v......LostInMyOwnWorld......

 

[Dan]

Cheers Dan!

Have you put new ones on yours mate?

If you have, what sort of price should I expect to be quoted by Kwik Fit or something like that to fit them for me?

Also, my back ones should be ok shouldn't they? Only done 42k, or does that mean they need changing as well?

Cheers for the help!

 

[Ghengis Khan]

Hi Dan

I'm also in final year at uni so know what its like, i'm studying engineering, what about you? I've changed my shocks all round for bilsteins as mines were on 70K and well past it. My brother used KYB's on his toyota corolla, the mechanic sweared by them and said they rarely go wrong and are a good brand if that helps.

Ghengis Khan, www.babarmalik.com

 

[Dan]

I havent changed them Dan, but I did do my springs myself.

quite straight forward, just be patient and use spring clamps

Dan

Skate2create/D-Unit: Angeltuned Fiat Bravo 1.2 16v......LostInMyOwnWorld......

 

[Tom]

change all of them. The rears wear out first due to the soft springing at the back. Its not like they are that expensive

Rears are easy to change, fronts need a spring compressor and the lower bolts are usually rusted solid.

I'd recommend KYB or bilstein (bilstein are about twice the price). Depending how I get on with FK (and if they EVER show up...) I will probably also recommend them too.

Personally don't bother with anything adjustable. They are more of a gimick than anything useful. And most that are listed as 'uprated' are 'just plain stiff'.

 

[Dan]

Cheers all...

@ Ghengis: Yeah - Final Year is double the work you had to do in First and Second year put together isn't it!!

Yeah that helps mate, cheers for replying!

@ Dan: Yeah... Kev (Wimmy's mate) changed my springs for me when we lowered my car - top man! Gonna sort out some quotes while I'm down here for the fronts cos he couldn't get the bolts undone on the front - we needed an air gun to get the bastard tight bolts off... could deffo do the backs myself though.

@ Tom: Tom, as ever, your advice is very much appreciated, and I'll take it, and get the backs as well, the prices on buypartsby seem very reasonable so it's well worth it, I just want my ride quality back cos it's so bad atm

Cheers to everyone, appreciate the replies, I'll let you know when I've had them done and the improvement (hopefully)

 

[Tom]

You'll find the back end a lot less bouncy with new shocks.

 

[Dan]

Cheers Tom, so at 42k I'm right to change the rears as well yeah?

 

[Tom]

Yup.

 

[Dan]

Cool

Thanks again mate!

Top Man!

 

[Dan]

i can now be another bravo owner who recommends http://www.buypartsby.co.uk cos i ordered them and they came really quickly, car's booked into a local recommended garage for monday morning, got a quote for all 4 fitted including vat £87.00 - so for the sake of eighty quid it's not worth me and my dad messing about, so pretty pleased at £20 a corner.

hoping to see a nice improvement!