Acura Integra Type-R All Integra Type R Discussions

Shocks -- When to replace?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 08:35 AM
  #1  
jond's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Default Shocks -- When to replace?

I have close to 70,000 miles on my stock ITR shocks.

How do you know when to replace them?

I know people use to say to push down on the car and see how it comes back up, but it seems to me, failing that test would mean they've been sub-par for awhile, plus you cant really push down on the ITR that far.


Reply
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 09:04 AM
  #2  
HondaRcB's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 1
From: VA, USA
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace? (jond)

Damn Jon I didn't know your mileage was that high. All that daily driving I remember a guy on the board a few moths back saying he could get Bilsteins for around $325 if memory serves. Seems like ti would be a good upgrade/replacement as they handle my 400 and 500 lb springs quite well.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 09:13 AM
  #3  
nsxtasy's Avatar
H-T Order of Merit
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace? (jond)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I know people use to say to push down on the car and see how it comes back up, but it seems to me, failing that test would mean they've been sub-par for awhile</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with that last part of your sentence 100 percent. If you wait until they are noticeably bad, you've waited way too long.

On my other, heavily-tracked car, after 10 years and 50K miles including 9K actual track miles, I decided that the handling just wasn't as crisp as it had been in its younger days. There wasn't anything specific to put my finger on; it just didn't seem like it cornered like it was on rails any more. So that's when I replaced my original shocks. And it was goooood.

(Like the ITR, the stock shocks on my other car offer great performance on the track, and a fairly comfortable ride on the street. When it was time to replace them, I went with Bilsteins because they have those same performance characteristics, plus I expect them to last longer than the stock shocks.)

Remember that most of the top brands of aftermarket high-performance shocks give you a lifetime warranty, so if you go aftermarket for replacements, save your receipt!
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 09:15 AM
  #4  
vtec.dc2's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,112
Likes: 0
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace? (nsxtasy)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I agree with that last part of your sentence 100 percent. If you wait until they are noticeably bad, you've waited way too long.

On my other, heavily-tracked car, after 10 years and 50K miles including 9K actual track miles, I decided that the handling just wasn't as crisp as it had been in its younger days. There wasn't anything specific to put my finger on; it just didn't seem like it cornered like it was on rails any more. So that's when I replaced my original shocks, with Bilsteins. And it was goooood.

Remember that most of the top brands of aftermarket high-performance shocks give you a lifetime warranty, so if you go aftermarket for replacements, save your receipt!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

so whats a good maintanance free for replacement for stock like setup.. i just dont want anything to squeak or sag or whatever else is common with aftermarket brand.. i'm on 70k miles and they're holding up alright.. replacement woudl be soon.. i was thinking of buying stock springs with aftermarket or stock shocks..
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 09:19 AM
  #5  
nsxtasy's Avatar
H-T Order of Merit
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace? (vtec.dc2)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so whats a good maintanance free for replacement for stock like setup.. i just dont want anything to squeak or sag or whatever else is common with aftermarket brand.. i'm on 70k miles and they're holding up alright.. replacement woudl be soon.. i was thinking of buying stock springs with aftermarket or stock shocks..</TD></TR></TABLE>

When you posted that, I was just editing my previous post to add more comments about the Bilsteins.

Your stock springs should still be fine; I'm not sure whey you would buy new ones.

I would suggest going with Bilstein shocks (for the same reasons I noted above) and leaving the springs alone. If you want to lower the car and/or firm up the suspension after replacing the shocks, then you might think about aftermarket springs, but for many folks that won't be necessary.

There are other options in shocks (e.g. Koni) that tend to offer firmer ride and less comfort than the Bilsteins; if you're willing to make that tradeoff, then you might consider those.

On some cars, the Bilstein shocks can be mounted on a lowering perch to lower the car, but I don't know if that is available for the ITR. I did not want to lower my other car, and mounted the Bilsteins on the perch for the stock ride height.

HTH
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 10:23 AM
  #6  
yoshi234's Avatar
I shoot brides
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 7,904
Likes: 7
From: Catalina Island
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace?

I recently changed to Bilstein w/ stock springs from Zeals. It's nothing like Zeal, but it's still nice.

y shi - who was sad to see the Zeals go
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 11:06 AM
  #7  
jond's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,406
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace? (HondaRcB)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaRcB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Damn Jon I didn't know your mileage was that high. All that daily driving I remember a guy on the board a few moths back saying he could get Bilsteins for around $325 if memory serves. Seems like ti would be a good upgrade/replacement as they handle my 400 and 500 lb springs quite well. </TD></TR></TABLE>
lol. No doubt. I'll be at 300,000 next thing you know. I'm actually at 65,5xx right now, adding around 1,300/month.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I decided that the handling just wasn't as crisp as it had been in its younger days. There wasn't anything specific to put my finger on; it just didn't seem like it cornered like it was on rails any more. So that's when I replaced my original shocks. And it was goooood.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yep, thats what I'm thinking. It still handles good, but not quite as crisp as it was new.

I guess I might as well go ahead and get some Bilsteins. Thanks for everyones input.


Reply
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 08:02 PM
  #8  
vtec.dc2's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,112
Likes: 0
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace? (nsxtasy)

i really don't want to lower car since i have more stuff exposed and roads aren't as great.. so i guess i'll just get the shocks.. i jsut wonder how to tell if stock springs need to be replaced.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2004 | 09:16 PM
  #9  
Philly_NBP_R's Avatar
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,957
Likes: 0
From: Hype R less in Pa...
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace? (vtec.dc2)

great thread... I've got 76K miles on my stock shocks, and I think they aren't as "crisp" as they used to be either... I may be looking for replacements soon. So shocks that work well with OEM ITR springs include:
Bilsteins
OEM (obviously)
Koni Yellows?
any others???
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2004 | 03:59 AM
  #10  
nsxtasy's Avatar
H-T Order of Merit
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
Default Re: Shocks -- When to replace? (vtec.dc2)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i jsut wonder how to tell if stock springs need to be replaced.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They don't. They don't wear out like shocks do.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mattdenali
Suspension & Brakes
9
Aug 21, 2005 12:29 AM
Freeltec
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
7
May 11, 2005 03:26 PM
noob with an RS
Tech / Misc
3
Dec 29, 2004 10:45 AM
onyx00
Acura Integra Type-R
12
Aug 14, 2004 01:29 PM
RUBZERK
Honda Accord (1990 - 2002)
7
Mar 8, 2004 11:17 PM




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:53 AM.