Honda Car Forum

I ended up with Monroe Sensatracs, but mostly because I couldn't find
anything else. They are lifetime warranty, and seem to be doing OK so far.

Have heard good things about KYBs. Inexpensive too.

Yes it is possible to use a small compressor. Just be prepared to wait for
the compressor to catch up with the air tool, and if you come across a really
stubborn bolt it may not be effective. Just make sure you can boost the
pressure to about 100-120 PSI.

I used a 3.5HP twin tank compressor with a 650ft-lb MAC gun. The MAC sucks
alot of air, but it worked OK. The compressor worked on 120V instead of 240V
which is good as I am not wired in my garage for 240V.

Mark G. wrote:
>Great info, thanks everyone.
>
>Any recommendations for make/model of replacement shocks to use here in the
>USA? I'll be doing all four corners of the car. It's my daily driver, not a
>racer.
>
>Also, is it possible to use an impact driver with a "pancake" air
>compressor, even in short bursts?
>
>Thanks
>-Mark

--
Message posted via CarKB.com
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...-cars/200709/1

I think this was a nice study you did, loewent. I am tempted
to re-consider replacing those on my 91 Civic. Leaking "some
oil" would have been a red flag (alarm, actually) to me,
though. I would replace if any oil was seen leaking.

My 91 Civic is on 198k miles.It's never seen temperatures
lower than about 0 F, so the extremes for it have not been
as bad. Still, for several years I have long felt the
suspension did not handle speed bumps well. I just wrote it
off as the "cost" of an inexpensive car. Maybe I am wrong.

"loewent via CarKB.com" <u10197@uwe> wrote
> My shocks were a little different than yours... once I
> got them out of the
> spring, I did a test on them to see how well they
> functioned versus the new
> ones I had purchased.
>
> None of the old ones appeared to be leaking badly (some
> oil was present), but
> it was the travel that surprised me. The new shocks came
> back quickly once
> compressed. My old ones took their time, and 2 of them
> actually never made
> it back to full extension.
>
> Also, on the old ones when you compressed them, you could
> hear the oil
> squeezing through the passages inside the shock, and
> little air bubbles
> moving around. New ones were silent.
>
> However, I think they held up admirably considering the
> 282000kms on them.
>
> I think what kills shocks up here is the temperature
> differential... +35C in
> summer and -40C in winter. Talk about your severe service
> schedule....
>
> Elle wrote:
>>What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the shock
>>absorber needs replacement?
>>
>>I replaced the springs on my 91 Civic, but the shock
>>absorbers themselves showed no signs of leakage and seemed
>>to work fine by the usual test (push and watch how they
>>release). Even the springs might have been overkill.
>>
>>Control arm bushings and ball joints are another matter.
>>For
>>1991, the bushings in particular may be due.
>>
>>> Great info, thanks everyone.
>>>
>>[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>>> Thanks
>>> -Mark
>
> --
> Message posted via CarKB.com
> http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...-cars/200709/1
>

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> Meaning no disrespect; it's just that there aren't many reports of failed
> shock absorbers here, even for a car this old. Per chance are you a
> somewhat, uh, aggressive driver?

Perchance not. My last moving violation was an illegal U-turn
in the mid-1990s.

My mechanic has listed "needs shocks" on my invoices
for quite some time.

loewent via CarKB.com wrote:
> My shocks were a little different than yours... once I got them out of the
> spring, I did a test on them to see how well they functioned versus the new
> ones I had purchased.
>
> None of the old ones appeared to be leaking badly (some oil was present), but
> it was the travel that surprised me. The new shocks came back quickly once
> compressed. My old ones took their time, and 2 of them actually never made
> it back to full extension.
>
> Also, on the old ones when you compressed them, you could hear the oil
> squeezing through the passages inside the shock, and little air bubbles
> moving around. New ones were silent.
>
> However, I think they held up admirably considering the 282000kms on them.
>
> I think what kills shocks up here is the temperature differential... +35C in
> summer and -40C in winter. Talk about your severe service schedule....

nah, theres two things that kills shocks. one is mechanical wear -
honda are good in that department. the other is time. the shocks are
gas pressurized - reduces cavitation. over time, the gas pressure
drops, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. once the pressure is
below the cavitation threshold, performance fades rapidly.


>
> Elle wrote:
>> What symptoms does your Accord have that suggest the shock
>> absorber needs replacement?
>>
>> I replaced the springs on my 91 Civic, but the shock
>> absorbers themselves showed no signs of leakage and seemed
>> to work fine by the usual test (push and watch how they
>> release). Even the springs might have been overkill.
>>
>> Control arm bushings and ball joints are another matter. For
>> 1991, the bushings in particular may be due.
>>
>>> Great info, thanks everyone.
>>>
>> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>>> Thanks
>>> -Mark
>

Mark G. wrote:
> "Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Meaning no disrespect; it's just that there aren't many reports of failed
>> shock absorbers here, even for a car this old. Per chance are you a
>> somewhat, uh, aggressive driver?
>
> Perchance not. My last moving violation was an illegal U-turn
> in the mid-1990s.
>
> My mechanic has listed "needs shocks" on my invoices
> for quite some time.

the best proof you'll ever need is to change them and see how different
the ride is. if you've owned a certain car for a long time, shock
performance decreases slowly and you don't notice the difference. put
new shocks on an old car, and boy, you sure do!