Shock life - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cliffsta · 10-27-2005, 10:58 PM

I know this is more suspension than anything, but i'd like specific feedback from 73-87s (furthermore, C10 owners especially). How often should I change my shocks? What is the effective life span before they should be changed? Is it just until they start being rough or blow out, or is there a certain number of years?

I changed mine a year ago BUT my truck has original springs all around so the ride sucks, and I'm sure I've already blown these out (the old ones were blown when i took them off). I'm changing my springs for my birthday and I have lifetime warranty on the shocks so i figure I might as well change them out too.

Thanks for the responses ahead of time, and its nice to be back after being gone for a while.

boxrodz · 10-30-2005, 02:59 AM

Under normal driving, I wouldn't think that you would have to swap out your shocks after a year. Under a load, is your truck bouncing around too much?
BTW, you going with regular springs or a dropped springs?

SSC's76 · 10-30-2005, 10:28 AM

My front shocks on the 76 are OEM replacment Monroe. They go out almost yearly with no abuse. The rear shocks have lasted a couple years they are Monroe HD 4x4 shocks I nabbed from my brothers old jeep, replaced under warrenty and slaped them on my truck.

Same shock # as GM 4x4.

So not so uncommon to replace cheaper shocks yearly.

cliffsta · 10-30-2005, 01:12 PM

Well the reason I am going ahead and replacing them is b/c i put them on the truck with the original springs which are TOAsT so I bounce around waay too much and I'm sure if they aren't broken that they are really abused. I want to start fresh with all new springs (stock, not dropped) and new shocks.

u2slow · 10-30-2005, 02:44 PM

They last until they sieze up and pull the studs right out of the frame.

Whoops... did I say that?

Russell · 10-30-2005, 04:09 PM

Haha, my 80 had the original 25 year old shocks on it when I brought it home

74 still had its original 31 year old shocks on it too, all of them worked just fine

Malo83 · 10-31-2005, 02:03 AM

Still running my Gabriel Adjustable "E" gas shocks that have been on for the last 20 yrs

**N2TRUX** · 10-31-2005, 09:44 AM

Since you are going to be changing the springs, you may as well replace the shocks too. Especially if you can get the exchanged under warranty....

Hoods69BadBowTie · 10-31-2005, 08:07 PM

^ I agree with N2TRUX. That was what I was going to say. I have had my Blazer for 3 years and the shocks are going to need to be replaced soon but I think yearly is way too often. I think you should atleast get a couple years outta of them.
-Late

cliffsta · 10-31-2005, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Since you are going to be changing the springs, you may as well replace the shocks too. Especially if you can get the exchanged under warranty....

That's pretty much what i plan to do. Dumb to put used (and abused) shocks on with new springs.

Just curious to shock life, and the responses are pretty varied. :-D

BTW, i'm using Gabriel Pro-Gaurd shocks.

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll let you know how changing my springs goes, i already mentioned it with daddy and he said "no problem i'll definately hlep you with that, won't be too bad" (even though he has never done it before either).

SanitysBane · 10-31-2005, 09:46 PM

What? You can change your shocks? Maybe that could explain alot...

eagle23 · 10-31-2005, 10:10 PM

I think shocks are like lots of stuff...about as many opinions as there are people

Personally, I recommend Bilsteins (Chevy had these standard on some vehicles, like the Suburbans and maybe others) or Edelbrocks. I have Ed's on the front of my '77 2WD, with Gabriel Hijackers (inflatable for load) in the back.

I tried KYB's up front and they just floated due to the stiff Gabriels out back. Had a similar problem years ago on an Olds 442that pulled a boat. Had Gabriels then and had to get a super stiff front shock to keep it from bobbing.

With the new springs, either of the above will be great. They are NOT cheap

maybe $50 each, but true lifetime warranties and an amazing ride difference. Either end of the truck will stay planted: you feel the bump or the dip once; no encore performance

Brian

10-27-2005, 10:58 PM	#1
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Shock life I know this is more suspension than anything, but i'd like specific feedback from 73-87s (furthermore, C10 owners especially). How often should I change my shocks? What is the effective life span before they should be changed? Is it just until they start being rough or blow out, or is there a certain number of years? I changed mine a year ago BUT my truck has original springs all around so the ride sucks, and I'm sure I've already blown these out (the old ones were blown when i took them off). I'm changing my springs for my birthday and I have lifetime warranty on the shocks so i figure I might as well change them out too. Thanks for the responses ahead of time, and its nice to be back after being gone for a while. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

10-30-2005, 02:59 AM	#2
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Re: Shock life Under normal driving, I wouldn't think that you would have to swap out your shocks after a year. Under a load, is your truck bouncing around too much? BTW, you going with regular springs or a dropped springs? __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

10-30-2005, 10:28 AM	#3
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: Shock life My front shocks on the 76 are OEM replacment Monroe. They go out almost yearly with no abuse. The rear shocks have lasted a couple years they are Monroe HD 4x4 shocks I nabbed from my brothers old jeep, replaced under warrenty and slaped them on my truck. Same shock # as GM 4x4. So not so uncommon to replace cheaper shocks yearly. __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

10-30-2005, 01:12 PM	#4
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	Re: Shock life Well the reason I am going ahead and replacing them is b/c i put them on the truck with the original springs which are TOAsT so I bounce around waay too much and I'm sure if they aren't broken that they are really abused. I want to start fresh with all new springs (stock, not dropped) and new shocks. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

10-30-2005, 02:44 PM	#5
u2slow Web Wheeler Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: BC, Canada, eh? Posts: 388	Re: Shock life They last until they sieze up and pull the studs right out of the frame. Whoops... did I say that? __________________ '66 C10 longstep - Clifford equiped '84 C20 Suburban 6.2L - awaiting 4x4 conversion '91 V3500 Crewcab - awaiting diesel swap

10-30-2005, 04:09 PM	#6
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Re: Shock life Haha, my 80 had the original 25 year old shocks on it when I brought it home 74 still had its original 31 year old shocks on it too, all of them worked just fine __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

10-31-2005, 02:03 AM	#7
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	Re: Shock life Still running my Gabriel Adjustable "E" gas shocks that have been on for the last 20 yrs

10-31-2005, 09:44 AM	#8
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Shock life Since you are going to be changing the springs, you may as well replace the shocks too. Especially if you can get the exchanged under warranty.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-31-2005, 08:07 PM	#9
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Shock life ^ I agree with N2TRUX. That was what I was going to say. I have had my Blazer for 3 years and the shocks are going to need to be replaced soon but I think yearly is way too often. I think you should atleast get a couple years outta of them. -Late __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

10-31-2005, 09:46 PM	#11
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Re: Shock life What? You can change your shocks? Maybe that could explain alot... __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

10-31-2005, 10:10 PM	#12
eagle23 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 174	Re: Shock life I think shocks are like lots of stuff...about as many opinions as there are people Personally, I recommend Bilsteins (Chevy had these standard on some vehicles, like the Suburbans and maybe others) or Edelbrocks. I have Ed's on the front of my '77 2WD, with Gabriel Hijackers (inflatable for load) in the back. I tried KYB's up front and they just floated due to the stiff Gabriels out back. Had a similar problem years ago on an Olds 442that pulled a boat. Had Gabriels then and had to get a super stiff front shock to keep it from bobbing. With the new springs, either of the above will be great. They are NOT cheap maybe $50 each, but true lifetime warranties and an amazing ride difference. Either end of the truck will stay planted: you feel the bump or the dip once; no encore performance Brian



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