Shock testing accuracy and prices

[I.am.Sam]

Hi Guys

Yesterday i went to test my shocks on my MK1 golf cause i feel that my front needs replacement.

So i started off with Tyre place 1 and they used a huge gabriel machine which a string attached to your fender and they shake the car and it gives off the results. The result was front right needs replacing and all others are fine.

So go to HI-Q and they use this device that attaches to the car ...they shake the car and the reading is 1-9. My front both were 4 and back were also 4. But they said i need to replace the rear and shock mountings on the front.

Then i went to Tyre Place 1 but a different branch ..that guy says rear is fine front needs changing and he used same device as HI-Q

Then to some other place and they say all 4 needs replacing ...they also used same device as HI-Q

so now im stuck with all different results

who do i trust ?

and with regards to prices ..last year i fitted shocks at HI-Q in centurion and it costed me like R700 for the rear ..now its like R1000 ...

where can i get all 4 fitted for a reasonable price in CPT

 

[morkhans]

I'm going to state outright that I'm not a car boffin, but in the past when replacing the shocks on my Citi Golf I've been told the rear shocks are a simple affair and were relatively cheap. What I have replaced quite a few times on the Citi and the MK3 was shock and strut mountings, but hey both cars have done 250000km+.

I've always had good service from HiQ in Koeberg Road and they seem to be an honest bunch.

 

[akescpt]

Hi Guys

Yesterday i went to test my shocks on my MK1 golf cause i feel that my front needs replacement.

So i started off with Tyre place 1 and they used a huge gabriel machine which a string attached to your fender and they shake the car and it gives off the results. The result was front right needs replacing and all others are fine.

So go to HI-Q and they use this device that attaches to the car ...they shake the car and the reading is 1-9. My front both were 4 and back were also 4. But they said i need to replace the rear and shock mountings on the front.

Then i went to Tyre Place 1 but a different branch ..that guy says rear is fine front needs changing and he used same device as HI-Q

Then to some other place and they say all 4 needs replacing ...they also used same device as HI-Q

so now im stuck with all different results

who do i trust ?

and with regards to prices ..last year i fitted shocks at HI-Q in centurion and it costed me like R700 for the rear ..now its like R1000 ...

where can i get all 4 fitted for a reasonable price in CPT

what are you doing in the backseat that you are replacing shocks yearly?

i need to go test mine too. was the test free? places ive been too want to charge R250. in and around the strand area.

 

[Sinbad]

In terms of testing, it's pretty simple.

Push the corner of the car down, and release it. It should return to its original height without bouncing at all. If it bounces that shock is fried.

 

[c3n0byt3]

You need to remove shocks to test them properly. There are other suspension factors that will affect the result when the shock is still on.

 

[I.am.Sam]

what are you doing in the backseat that you are replacing shocks yearly?

i need to go test mine too. was the test free? places ive been too want to charge R250. in and around the strand area.

haha ..that was my older golf ...added new shocks and sold it

In terms of testing, it's pretty simple.

Push the corner of the car down, and release it. It should return to its original height without bouncing at all. If it bounces that shock is fried.

i must try that ...thanks

morkhans ..i know the back ones are simple ...it took that guy 20mins the last time ...

 

[Fox1]

Just a word of advice from experience; shock tests don't tell you exactly if it's your springs or shocks that are at fault. If you are replacing shocks that often then get your springs changed at the same time. You can get thicker springs for the rear and don't go for those cheap lowering springs. Those only last for a year.

 

[I.am.Sam]

Just a word of advice from experience; shock tests don't tell you exactly if it's your springs or shocks that are at fault. If you are replacing shocks that often then get your springs changed at the same time. You can get thicker springs for the rear and don't go for those cheap lowering springs. Those only last for a year.

dammit shocks are just as pricey now more for springs as well

i got quoted up to R2700 for all 4 shocks which is crazy since all 4 shocks and mounting is around R1500

 

[ponder]

How many km's have you done on the current shocks? What type of road surface do you drive on? If it's plenty of km's and you drive on bad roads or are a bad driver I would replace all four shocks.

 

[ponder]

Just a word of advice from experience; shock tests don't tell you exactly if it's your springs or shocks that are at fault. If you are replacing shocks that often then get your springs changed at the same time.

Springs last way longer than shocks. If your springs are getting soft they will sag under the weight of your car lowering your ride height and this can be picked up. Maybe his are tired though, you never know.

 

[spiderz]

Phone Goldwagen and Midas on a price of the shocks. Get a price on Gabriel/Armstrong/Monroes.
And tell them you don't want the extended rear shocks.

 

[I.am.Sam]

How many km's have you done on the current shocks? What type of road surface do you drive on? If it's plenty of km's and you drive on bad roads or are a bad driver I would replace all four shocks.

not sure ...i bought the car on 82k and now its on 96k just over a year ago and i drive around 500km max a month and all good roads in cpt

Phone Goldwagen and Midas on a price of the shocks. Get a price on Gabriel/Armstrong/Monroes.
And tell them you don't want the extended rear shocks.

ok il do that ..you coming to help fit

i know the back i can do on my own

the front are hectic

 

[ponder]

not sure ...i bought the car on 82k and now its on 96k just over a year ago and i drive around 500km max a month and all good roads in cpt

Springs should be ok. I would however advice you to have a full suspension checkup, you might has worn bushes & ball joints etc.

 

[spiderz]

ok il do that ..you coming to help fit

i know the back i can do on my own

the front are hectic

Not that difficult. You will need some of those coil compressors. Makes the job much easier.
Did my golf's shocks recently.

 

[I.am.Sam]

Springs should be ok. I would however advice you to have a full suspension checkup, you might has worn bushes & ball joints etc.

where can i do this ?

and rough cost ?

Not that difficult. You will need some of those coil compressors. Makes the job much easier.
Did my golf's shocks recently.

now i need to find someone who has the stuff and that can help

 

[ponder]

where can i do this ?

For CPT I have no idea but you are looking for someone that specialises in suspension. Word of mouth recommendations are probably the best bet. I've never paid anything for a check & quote.
Just get someone that knows wtf they are doing unlike these franchise establishments you see knocking/bending suspension components into alignment with 10 pound hammers.

If you were in Durbs I would recommend Sam Edgar at 18 Roy Rd. The place looks dodge but everybody recommends them, they've been around for yonks and I've not heard a bad word about them.

 

[naasier]

Ponder do you know where KYB shocks can be bought in Cape Town? Aparrantly Kapisco stopped selling them 5 months ago. Sorry for being so random

 

[akescpt]

Ponder do you know where KYB shocks can be bought in Cape Town? Aparrantly Kapisco stopped selling them 5 months ago. Sorry for being so random

That is horrible news.

 

[ponder]

Ponder do you know where KYB shocks can be bought in Cape Town? Aparrantly Kapisco stopped selling them 5 months ago. Sorry for being so random

I heard the very same thing when I asked about shocks for my car three weeks ago. As far as I'm aware Kapico are not bringing any new stock in.

I'll fire off an email to their emea offices and enquire if they have any new distributors lined up for SA.

 

[naasier]

I heard the very same thing when I asked about shocks for my car three weeks ago. As far as I'm aware Kapico are not bringing any new stock in.

I'll fire off an email to their emea offices and enquire if they have any new distributors lined up for SA.

Cool!