84-87 shocks..
D
Wagonist
just picked up some koni adjustables for the front, brand new for cheap.
i've called a few distributors, and nobody has anything for the rears. looks like it'll be some red ryder cheapies unless anyone has any other sources for the 3G 4x4's...
i've called a few distributors, and nobody has anything for the rears. looks like it'll be some red ryder cheapies unless anyone has any other sources for the 3G 4x4's...
Comments
nope 4x4 is different than FWD.
This is an area I've done some research for my 87 4wd wagon but haven't really taken the leap to try any of the potential solutions.
Right now I'm running a cheapie Monroe replacement. It costs $18/ea with a lifetime replacement guarantee. I imagine the aftermarket Susp Tech Accord springs I'm running will wear them out pretty quick.
I was in contact with an engineer at Koni USA. While they didn't have an item in their catalog, he offered to find a suitable substitute from their bajillion off the shelf parts (if I would mail him one my old shocks). Basically, the front shock or rear shock from some other model could be the solution and he would be able to figure it out based on length, compression, weight of the vehicle etc etc. I never followed up though.
This is a plausible solution because the strut design is ridiculously simple. Its a threaded top post and an eyelet on the bottom.
One of the Redpepper guys found a substitute/replacement that might work for the wagon. I believe it was from the front of a Daihatsu Rocky(or something like that). Since it was a "truck" some of the more performance oriented off road specialist companies offered an adjustable model. And since it was just a shock, not a strut, it was still cheap. IIRC, a high performance twelve way adjustable was under $60.
So maybe that will help you get started. I wish I had done something more but at the time there were sooo many aspects of that project that were competing for my attention/budget that the rear shocks kind of slipped to the back burner.
I know what a shock absorber is... whats a strut? I always thought they were the same thing... :oops:
Good starting point. I've also briefly spoke with lee at koni, since these parts have been discontinued since before '96, he was able to help me with some part numbers, but was unable to give me any feedback regarding interchangablility.
At this point, i'm still just doing some background legwork... have to many other things in pieces.
Shock vs Strut
Funny how the stupid jokes stick in your head...what's the difference between springs and shocks? About $100 bucks.
A shock and strut perform the same function, thus people interchange their use. The big difference is that the strut also acts as a structural component of the suspension. In our case, the springs mount on the actual strut. SO it holds the spring perch and tries to contol movement.
A shock doesn't do anything else. Attaches at both ends and tries to absorb movement.
If you removed the strut from a car, the springs come with it and it can't rest on its wheels.
If you remove shocks, the car can still rest on its wheels because the springs are still in place. Just don't drive over a bump or you'll be bouncing down the road.
Your other choice.This is the fun part.Well at least I like it.
Pacifer:
"Structural" is the key word.The easy visual way to tell is looking at the shaft.
Small shaft(usually less than 13mm(1/2")=Shock.
Big shaft(usually more than 19mm(3/4")=Strut.
Yeah...that's what I was talking about with the engineer from Koni. I send him one of my old shocks and he matches it to any one of their shocks made for any make/model etc in their catalog. I think this is the best possible solution.
The 3G Civics have a shock in the rear. No strut hassles.
Given the simplicity, I'm sure theres something out there similar enough to work. Like I said, its a simple threaded top post that sticks straight up and an ring/eyelet on the bottom on a cylinder body that's about 18" long.