Why would new shocks make the ride WORSE?

[89AKurt]

Ordered from Shocks Warehouse, using their web portal. Clicked '68 etc. Got KYB - part # KY344068 and KY344085. Installed the rear shocks this afternoon.
I have a half ton, stock, coil springs.
Right out of the driveway, noticed it bounced way too much. It's occilating about 8 times before calming down over any bump. I will contact them next, is this typical when getting new shocks?

[CastIron]

How long after you installed them did you test it? Sometimes when shocks (or struts) are installed they have to sit a little while before dampening properly. I believe it has something to do with gravity and the oil. If it still does it tomorrow, I'd suspect you got some bad shocks. I haven't seen that with KYB shocks before though. I have some 20 year old gas-a-just shocks that still work fine on my truck. (20 years old, but low low miles)

[Steeveedee]

Did you bleed them? Read the instructions on the box, this may help.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Did you bleed them? Read the instructions on the box, this may help.

Good question, the paper instructions are in universal Greek with numerous types of shocks. The first illustration shows drilling and draining the shock, then the last picture has a trash can, so good thing I didn't jump on that!

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 89AKurt

Good question, the paper instructions are in universal Greek with numerous types of shocks. The first illustration shows drilling and draining the shock, then the last picture has a trash can, so good thing I didn't jump on that!

Sorry, I was tired and it was close to my bed time. Didn't mean to come off like a wise guy.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Sorry, I was tired and it was close to my bed time. Didn't mean to come off like a wise guy.

No worries! It's like I tell my wife when she asks about her car, I say "did you read the owners manual?"

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by CastIron

How long after you installed them did you test it? Sometimes when shocks (or struts) are installed they have to sit a little while before dampening properly. I believe it has something to do with gravity and the oil. If it still does it tomorrow, I'd suspect you got some bad shocks. I haven't seen that with KYB shocks before though. I have some 20 year old gas-a-just shocks that still work fine on my truck. (20 years old, but low low miles)

I'll report back.

[geezer#99]

Gee Steve when you said bleed em I thought you were referring to the age old priming method.
Here’s some info on priming.


https://www.onallcylinders.com/2015/...g-your-shocks/

[kwmech]

I've only seen this once before if the box happens to be sitting on the shelf for a long time on its side.

[SkidmoreGarage]

If they are as bad as you say, i would take them off and try to extend/compress them by hand. It should be pretty obvious. Especially if you can compare them to what you took off.

Is there any chance they were returned and then shipped to you?

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by SkidmoreGarage

If they are as bad as you say, i would take them off and try to extend/compress them by hand. It should be pretty obvious. Especially if you can compare them to what you took off.

Is there any chance they were returned and then shipped to you?

I tried to compress/extend before putting on, must not have tried hard enough. I checked the old shocks, they were not loose or sloppy. Box seals were still intact.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Gee Steve when you said bleed em I thought you were referring to the age old priming method.
Here’s some info on priming.


https://www.onallcylinders.com/2015/...g-your-shocks/

Yeah, being tired got me on that one too! Priming is the word, but I learned it as "bleeding".

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Gee Steve when you said bleed em I thought you were referring to the age old priming method.
Here’s some info on priming.


https://www.onallcylinders.com/2015/...g-your-shocks/

Thanks, I did look at that.

Report back to CastIron, same this morning.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

I’ve tried a lot of different shocks for my 70 , they were always to soft or hard as a Rock.
I finally had enough and went with QA1 Adjustable coil overs Front and rear, 18 settings
I found the perfect ride. You can also get double adjustable like for Drag Racing.
I know this probably doesn’t help you and it’s expensive. I just couldn’t find a shock I liked

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

I’ve tried a lot of different shocks for my 70 , they were always to soft or hard as a Rock.
I finally had enough and went with QA1 Adjustable coil overs Front and rear, 18 settings
I found the perfect ride. You can also get double adjustable like for Drag Racing.
I know this probably doesn’t help you and it’s expensive. I just couldn’t find a shock I liked

Thanks, I consider this a clue. I didn't see a need to go high-tech with my beater.

[Barnfind46]

Not sure if this is the case but I asked for shocks my C-20 and they made it ride terrible. Found out they were to stiff. Went with a different shock and all was good. The first brand had different valving. May be the case with the C-10 also. Just a thought.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by Barnfind46

Not sure if this is the case but I asked for shocks my C-20 and they made it ride terrible. Found out they were to stiff. Went with a different shock and all was good. The first brand had different valving. May be the case with the C-10 also. Just a thought.

So I should just give up with Shocks Warehouse, their customer service is totally lacking.

Something I noticed in the picture of the UPC label, the part number is:
344085
NL2C A is on one box
NKEC B is on the other box

[89AKurt]

Dropped in to my trusted mechanic, who researched his source for shocks, discovered that Shocks Warehouse sold me the wrong shocks. I should have known better, when the website prompt did not have 'C-10' to choose from, that was a sign. He told me about priming the shocks, compress at least 3 times and let it return, the Japanese translation of Greek instructions show nothing about this procedure. He said there is a difference between coil spring and leaf spring, which explained my description of what's going on. When he ordered the correct shocks, had trouble finding them in stock. So I have KGS416 rear and KGS409 front coming, and will let him deal with the warrantee hassle.

Now I need to sell these shocks......

[Barnfind46]

Glad you were able to come up with a fix. let us know the outcome.

[89AKurt]

Originally Posted by Barnfind46

Glad you were able to come up with a fix. let us know the outcome.

Darn right I will!

YAY! Now I don't feel so dumb. My mechanic had a heck of a time getting the shocks. His original source had declined his order three times, website showed in stock, different people went to the shelf and found none, so they kicked it back, THREE times! He went to another source, they had one set left, he said I got the last shocks for my truck on the planet. Thanks to CV-1984, manufacturing slowed or stopped, and warehouses became empty. He said '09 Dodge pickup shocks do not exist.

He also got the better ones:
KYB KG5416 (rear)
KYB KG5409 (front)




He also got the heater fan and back-up lights to work.

But, something like this is to be expected for a 52 year old pickup, he discovered something is missing.
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I'm amazed how this truck has run as well, on modern vehicles when something is just a little off, it just quits working.

[burnin oil]

I put KYBs on an 2wd 06 Dodge 2500 about 2 months ago. Much better ride than the previous shocks that were way to stiff.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Hey Kurt, I just put new KYB 344068 shocks on my '68 C/10 Stepside. They work great. Lost a lot of shimmy on the front end at freeway speeds 65-80 MPH. My KYBs are black.
My mechanic also helped me install new hood hinges and springs [ GM, but made for our vintage in the Early 2000s -- I have P/Ns]. Before the hood wobbled at speed. It was hard to close -- had to be slammed. And the rear stood up 3 to 4 inches. Now, I can close it with 2 fingers, there's no wobble and no rise at the rear.
Rear shocks were ordered from a different vendor [RockAuto] and got in yesterday.
P/N: KYB KG5416. They are a 3-level adjustable shock for Rear, Coil, springs. I will probably set them for Medium. Can't get my guy to come back til Monday.
Stepside is about to roll thru 400,000 and needs to pass Pima County emissions before re-registration, Due 31 OCT.