FAQ: Shocks & Struts Options

bullseye-shawn wrote:

Well the last owner had the air ride disconnected for some reason. He was a dumb a$$. After I rewired it all in cuz while disconnected the connector also dragged the pavement and wore through. Now the air ride does kick in and run just fine but the shocks do not more or pump up at all. I feel the pump is working but the shocks are just about all rusted through. So replacements are deffinatly in order soon. Hopefully the new ones will pump up great for me and the lines arent shot.

Oh! The lines should be fine if they are not nicked or cut.

SO...

With the other components working, a pair of $60 MA-822s and you are back in business for sure.

The last owner probably disconnected the air ride when the shocks started leaking air and he/she asked the dealer how much to fix and the dealer quoted over $1,000. Which makes many people throw up their hands. I don't know if the dealers still quote that much but they used to for sure. I understand that the reason was that the *dealer* repair for the air leveler assumes that the compressor, level switch, lines, shocks (and perhaps springs I forget) get replaced. In practice, they almost never did that, just replacing the shocks usually.

If you *do* need a line kit they are not that pricey even from the dealer, but I forget the price there. Under $30 I think?!?

Sounds like you're in good shape once you put the new shocks on.

Albertj

I noticed my rear struts were leaking so I priced them out.

The price for the Gabriel Hi Jackers is $74.99 and it says sold in pairs. I can't imagine a set of struts only costing $75. Is that correct?

call em up. gabriels are inexpensive. and they work. why dont you spring for the monroes. you will save $ in the long run.

Sounds right. Our rear shocks are simple machines, made in mass quantities for lots of GM vehicles. I paid $70 for a pair of Monroe Max Air shocks from summit. Don't forget the shock mounts.

AA wrote:

Sounds right. Our rear shocks are simple machines, made in mass quantities for lots of GM vehicles. I paid $70 for a pair of Monroe Max Air shocks from summit. Don't forget the shock mounts.

Not only are they inexpensive but if you're adept you can change them without jacking the car up... although I don't recommend that it's kinda twisty and jacking up the rear is no big deal.

Used to be able to get OE shocks from RockAuto.com with the mounts included for about $100/pair. You tell which is which by the pictures, the ones with show it in the on-line part picture.

Albertj

It is alot easier with the rear wheels off and pretty simple. I found my monroes on Amazon for $55.00 free shipping. Took about 2 days to get to me and about an hour or so to change out.

That also included the time to take one back out, becuase I put a washer on upside down. Oops

J. Chris Davis wrote:

That also included the time to take one back out, becuase I put a washer on upside down. Oops

Bullseye and manofmany have nothing really to worry about with this repair. Just one little suggestion though. As wack as you guys say your shocks are, the speednuts that hold the bottoms on to the control arms are probably going to break when you remove the bolts. So - be sure to get a couple pair at an auto parts store, or hardware store, or from the dealer for that matter (they are not exotic at all and not that expensive, basically "shop supplies").

Albertj

manofmany wrote:

I noticed my rear struts were leaking so I priced them out.

The price for the Gabriel Hi Jackers is $74.99 and it says sold in pairs. I can't imagine a set of struts only costing $75. Is that correct?

They aren't "struts" in the rear, just simple air shocks. Actual struts, as used in the front, do run a lot more cash. I'd skip the Gabriels and go with the Monroe MA822's.

1998 Riv wrote:

manofmany wrote:

I noticed my rear struts were leaking so I priced them out.

The price for the Gabriel Hi Jackers is $74.99 and it says sold in pairs. I can't imagine a set of struts only costing $75. Is that correct?

They aren't "struts" in the rear, just simple air shocks. Actual struts, as used in the front, do run a lot more cash. I'd skip the Gabriels and go with the Monroe MA822's.

good advice. I have always done well with Monroes, and these are no exception. Have them on my '98 and they've been great for years.

Thanks guys. I've got a set of the Monroe MA822's on the way. Both of mine are leaking and I've noticed them bottom out every now and then on hills.

Was searching thru rockauto and found what seems to be a new item. Monroe part# 90007 rear shock conversion kit. Seems to be a shock with an attached helper spring to replace the air leveling shocks. Site info as follows;

Conversion Kit; Includes 2 rear shocks, bearing plate and part pack.

This kit is intended to replace the rear air leveling shocks with a load assist shock. This kit replaces ONLY the REAR air shocks. Front struts are available separately; refer to the application section of the catalog for correct part number. This kit is designed to provide conversion of the suspension and disengage the pump system. This system conversion kit also includes the necessary instructions to eliminate warning signals. The replacement air shocks (or air leveling dampers) being part number MA822 should be used if the pump system is still operational. If this is not operational, the air shocks MA822 can still be used by purchasing the manual air fill lines being part number AK29. This will allow for air leveling by using a standard air fill chuck similar to inflating a tire valve.

REFERENCE: If needed, you can refer to the original equipment service manual for servicing the air spring air solenoid valves and for removal of the particular shock absorbers. This installation instruction is to give a guideline and reference tools for the installation. Detailed instruction sheet is provided with the kit. Due to minor installation difficulty, it is necessary to follow the steps and methods detailed to ensure quality completion.

CONTENTS: Two (2) Rear Shock Absorbers with Associated Parts Packages Instruction Sheet

Coil-overs for the rear! Nice find! (+++)

Link: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1022016,parttype,13000

More Info: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2215718

Forgot to note that I found these for a 95, not sure whether its available for other models but I don't see why it wouldn't be. Btw thanks for posting links AA! One of these days I'll figure how to do it.

No problem. BTW, those will work for all '95-99 models.

Just a heads up, but the WHITE MA822 monroe struts found on Amazon are fakes.

I contacted Monroe directly and the guy check the entire production stock and verified these were only produced in black. Didn't seem to care about the knock offs, but I thought I would pass this along.

I would check into this again using a different guy. Mine were white, purchased from Summit Racing.

Google images shows the majority are white: Link

AA wrote:

I would check into this again using a different guy. Mine were white, purchased from Summit Racing.

Google images shows the majority are white: Link

I will have to double check with them.

Quote :

Thank you for contacting Tenneco Automotive. We apologize for our delayed
response.

Looking at the bill of material for this shock, they do come in High Gloss
Black only.

Thank you for your interest in our products.

Monroe Team Member,

Rob

AFAIK, Monroe and Gabriel shocks & struts are manufactured in the same plant. It seems there are batches of Monroes in white and others in black. The Gabriels I've seen are all black.

If there is any choice in the matter, I'd try to get black shocks. After a couple years, mine have a lot of surface rust and that would not stand out as much if they were black.

Yes they came in both black and white. I just bought new ones from rockauto that were black and the white ones on there were installed at belle tire two years ago and the receipt stated they were Monroe ma822's. So that helps to further the story.

I've been looking into new struts for my '95. From what I just read here, I like the idea of Monroe Sensa-Tracs. Then I go to the Monroe site, key in my Riv, and get...nothing! Have to assume that doesn't mean I can run the Riv without struts, so what next? What do I order? And would they require some modification to mount? Expiring mind wants to know.

I don't know if it's a year (95) thing or not. I would check at your local parts store that caries Monroe Products and ask there. Good Luck.

I was able to get the Monroe Sensa-Tracs for my 98 a few years ago with a lifetime warranty.

I'm being told that they no longer offer Lifetime Warranties, so I know I'll get only one more set for free and that's it as far as lifetime goes.

Jamax wrote:

I've been looking into new struts for my '95. From what I just read here, I like the idea of Monroe Sensa-Tracs. Then I go to the Monroe site, key in my Riv, and get...nothing! Have to assume that doesn't mean I can run the Riv without struts, so what next? What do I order? And would they require some modification to mount? Expiring mind wants to know.

The Monroe and other (KYB, Gabriel, Delco) are listed on RockAuto. #71822. Why not have a look?

Albertj

Thanks, Albert. The part number is what I needed. For some reason, the Monroe site did not list Monroes for a Riv. I'll probably replace the rears with MMA-822s.

Jamax wrote:

Thanks, Albert. The part number is what I needed. For some reason, the Monroe site did not list Monroes for a Riv. I'll probably replace the rears with MMA-822s.

If you look at the RockAuto site you'll see the different choices and part numbers. In m experience the Delcos are soft exact replacements, the Monroes are like FE2 ("Touring") and the Gabriels and KYBs are like FE3 ("Sport"). I have had all of them on my riv at one time or another. The Monroes are OK but a little jiggly for some reason, I replaced 'em (sold to another list member) after a very short (days/week or so) installation. The Gabriels were fine, I replaced them because the cases had rusted and started to seep (the struts still worked fine though). The KYBs are my favorite - all the control of the Gabriels but a little more supple -- not sure how they did it. If I had to replace mine today I'd install the Gabriels or the KYBs.

Albertj