Hi guys, If swapped and installed a ton of shocks/springs over the years, but are there any actual mechanics that can chime in, if you can replace just one shock? Its actually for a friend of my wifes. She doesnt have a lot of money, and I'd like to do the work for her. Her left rear shock is obviously toast and needs to be replaced. Its on a '00 sunfire and I figured if she could just pick up the single rear shock, it would save her some bucks. Any thoughts?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b18LS &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can you just replace ONE worn shock?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes, provided you're replacing it with an equivalent.

What's stopping you?

 

Thanks for the replies. Good call, I just wondered if there was a reason it would be bad for the shocks to be at different levels of function side to side. I guess they all wear differently even from new, so no big deal. Its not like replacing the brake pads on ONE side only

I'll go do it then.

 

If you're replacing one with another used one, eh, sure I guess. But putting a new one on only one corner doesn't make sense. I would say if you're buying new then replace at least both sides, if not all 4 at the same time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blk00EJ8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you're replacing one with another used one, eh, sure I guess. But putting a new one on only one corner doesn't make sense. I would say if you're buying new then replace at least both sides, if not all 4 at the same time.</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2

 

you should replace them in pairs, never just one shock. they teach that in all auto shops/ classes/ books. if i need a reference point let me know and i'll find it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blk00EJ8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you're replacing one with another used one, eh, sure I guess. But putting a new one on only one corner doesn't make sense. I would say if you're buying new then replace at least both sides, if not all 4 at the same time.</TD></TR></TABLE>


x3

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by OC Geezer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you should replace them in pairs, never just one shock. they teach that in all auto shops/ classes/ books. if i need a reference point let me know and i'll find it. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I agree, it's not ideal. However if you have one blown damper and $ is tight and you have access to a single OK replacement then fitting the single OK damper in place of the blown one will place you way ahead of having one OK damper and one completely blown damper.