FAQ: Shocks & Struts Options

Dan B wrote:

Any update to anyone using a combo of Monroe quick struts up front & ma822's in the rear?

I would not use the Monroes on the fronts, too jiggly for me. See if you can find the Gabriels. One way to find them is buy them from NAPA - they are sold under a NAPA store brand but their quik-struts for the iv are the Gabriels AFAIK.

Jiggly meaning too soft?

Advice taken just ordered up Gabriel quick struts & gm rear air shocks from rock auto

Dan B wrote:

Jiggly meaning too soft?

The Monroes had the wrong height (rode too high) and specifically the jounce and rebound were kind of insane - the car bobbed over swells in the road like a smallish bass boat bobs over waves on the Atlantic off the Florida coast when you just wanna go fishing for the afternoon. I removed the Monroes after having them on a couple weeks, and sold them to someone who liked the way they rode. Me? They made my rear seat passengers seasick. So, nope.

I read those posts in the past but forgot, you saved me from making a mistake by posting that.

albertj wrote:

Dan B wrote:

Any update to anyone using a combo of Monroe quick struts up front & ma822's in the rear?

I would not use the Monroes on the fronts, too jiggly for me. See if you can find the Gabriels. One way to find them is buy them from NAPA - they are sold under a NAPA store brand but their quik-struts for the iv are the Gabriels AFAIK.

Gabriel "ultra" @ Napa Part #G56718
Gabriel "Guardian" @ Rock Auto Part #M56718

Which did you have?

Just received my order from rock auto they are Gabriel ultra

Which part #?

G56929

[quote="ADDvanced"]

albertj wrote:

Dan B wrote:

Any update to anyone using a combo of Monroe quick struts up front & ma822's in the rear?

I would not use the Monroes on the fronts, too jiggly for me. See if you can find the Gabriels. One way to find them is buy them from NAPA - they are sold under a NAPA store brand but their quik-struts for the iv are the Gabriels AFAIK.

Gabriel "ultra" @ Napa Part #G56718
Gabriel "Guardian" @ Rock Auto Part #M56718

Which did you have?

I think the part #s your referring to are for 95-96.. I have a 98

The G56718 is the one I used in my 98 when I had it. They were great.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/buick,1998,riviera,3.8l+v6+supercharged,1303322,suspension,shock+/+strut+&+coil+spring+assembly,15174

Don't see g56718 in that link, what am I missing?

Guys, I'm super confused. Are the different part numbers only applicable to certain years? Or do struts interchange throughout all years, but the springs are different? How are the different years physically different, in terms of springs and struts?

ADDvanced wrote:

albertj wrote:

Dan B wrote:

Any update to anyone using a combo of Monroe quick struts up front & ma822's in the rear?

I would not use the Monroes on the fronts, too jiggly for me. See if you can find the Gabriels. One way to find them is buy them from NAPA - they are sold under a NAPA store brand but their quik-struts for the iv are the Gabriels AFAIK.

Gabriel "ultra" @ Napa Part #G56718
Gabriel "Guardian" @ Rock Auto Part #M56718

Which did you have?

Ultra

ADDvanced wrote:

Guys, I'm super confused.  Are the different part numbers only applicable to certain years?  Or do struts interchange throughout all years, but the springs are different?  How are the different years physically different, in terms of springs and struts?

The mountings.The different part numbers for different years don't interchange AFAIK.

Like, the 3 studs up top in the shock tower? Or the holes that bolt to the knuckle?

I'm really not confident in buying anything online; it seems like RockAuto is giving me the parts available for all rivieras, not just 95/96s.

Do 99s ride significantly better than other years? I know there are complaints of the car 'bobbing' even when it was new, and I'm looking to eliminate that. The struts you suggested seem to only have part numbers applicable to your year (98)

ADDvanced wrote:

Like, the 3 studs up top in the shock tower?  Or the holes that bolt to the knuckle?

I'm really not confident in buying anything online; it seems like RockAuto is giving me the parts available for all rivieras, not just 95/96s.  

Do 99s ride significantly better than other years?   I know there are complaints of the car 'bobbing' even when it was new, and I'm looking to eliminate that.  The struts you suggested seem to only have part numbers applicable to your year (98)

The Gabriels and KYBs (when they used to be available) got rid of the bobbing. The OEs and the Monroes did not.

Do some searching and you will find other old posts on this forum from people who retrofitted the 98 front suspension parts onto prior Rivs. As for waht RockAuto is listing, you can always phone or email them for clarification.

Albertj

I've decided that @ 140,000+ miles it's probably the time to replace my rear SuperLift shocks...  
From what I've read on Amazon, the Monroe are junk, and the choice is down to the
Gabriel & KYB...  Ironically, on RockAuto, the only reasonably priced pair of shocks that DON'T
have the OEM tapered fittings on the shocks to fit the Level Ride System are from DELCO,
who created the system in the first place!  I think I remember my 80's Eldorado having one
rear shock with 2 nipples that then fed the air to the other shock with a single nipple.  But
now that crazy system is gone and they all use single-nipple ports.  Having said that, I
can't imagine why "GM Original" shocks still have separate Driver & Passenger side
part numbers, or that they should charge $240+ per SHOCK!  

Anyone have input on the Gabriel Hi-Jackers vs the KYBs??

Eldo wrote:

I've decided that @ 140,000+ miles it's probably the time to replace my rear SuperLift shocks...  
From what I've read on Amazon, the Monroe are junk, and the choice is down to the
Gabriel & KYB...  Ironically, on RockAuto, the only reasonably priced pair of shocks that DON'T
have the OEM tapered fittings on the shocks to fit the Level Ride System are from DELCO,
who created the system in the first place!  I think I remember my 80's Eldorado having one
rear shock with 2 nipples that then fed the air to the other shock with a single nipple.  But
now that crazy system is gone and they all use single-nipple ports.  Having said that, I
can't imagine why "GM Original" shocks still have separate Driver & Passenger side
part numbers, or that they should charge $240+ per SHOCK!  

Anyone have input on the Gabriel Hi-Jackers vs the KYBs??

Hi Eldo - - I've used both the KYB and Gabriel rears, the're both fine. I liked the ride of the Gabriels a bit more but word to the wise, clean them and paint them with Rustoleum or similar before install, the Gabriels I had rusted (but still functioned well - go figure) after 4 years or so.

Albertj

Thanks Albert, for the functional rating and the painting tip...  
I have some leftover BBQ Black spray paint that should do nicely.
Mark

Just got car back from shop had vogue tires installed, Gabriel ready struts & gm stock replacement rear shocks.. rides beautiful but think I'm gonna puke with the combo of it sitting too high & whitewalls around chrome rims on a white car .. maybe it's an acquired taste but I think it looks terrible. I'll get a pic soon. Did save the take off parts maybe I'll rebuild the stockers & turn the black walls out.

Dan B wrote:

Just got car back from shop had vogue tires installed, Gabriel ready struts & gm stock replacement rear shocks.. rides beautiful but think I'm gonna puke with the combo of it sitting too high & whitewalls around chrome rims on a white car .. maybe it's an acquired taste but I think it looks terrible. I'll get a pic soon. Did save the take off parts maybe I'll rebuild the stockers & turn the black walls out.

how does it look compared to mine (picture)?

that looks normal, I think your 'headache' is your tires may be a bit small for the size, different mfgrs 225/60 r 16s do vary in size and some run small.

I don't think it's the whitewalls, I think it's the extra gold bands....  
For example, even though it has the 15" Buick Rallye wheels, I sacrificed wider tire size to get whitewalls on my '69 Wildcat.  
It just didn't look right without them.
On another note, though, GM did NOT get the Riviera's wheel arches right for the tire/wheel sizes that they used.