weil@dataio.UUCP (Steve Weil) (05/04/85)
I would like to buy some new shocks and I am very frustrated by the
lack of any real information (like specifications). I have a Mazda
pickup with a small camper shell and my main handling complaint is too much
lean while cornering (especially too much rocking going into and out of
a turn). I guess the real solution would be a stiffer anti-sway bar or
one in back. (Is this practical? How much $$$$?)
Will new shocks help? What brands are people happy with? Cost
matters, but I expect to keep the car a long time so I am willing to
invest. Would booster shocks (with springs) be a better solution?
I understand the new gas shocks are preferred. Their real
advantage is they don't fade as you drive and the oil fills with
bubbles. Does this mean that the old test of shaking your car and
seeing how long it takes the oscillations to die down is not really
valid?
Does anyone test or rate shocks? It seems to me that there is a
damping constant that should be measured and used to compare how
"stiff" different shocks are. I hate to spend $120 just because the
manufacturer claims they will improve my ride.
My parts department claims the stock front shocks are gas filled.
Can anybody confirm this?
The truck is a diesel and has a heavier engine and stiffer front
springs than the standard gas version. I assume that this means I
really want stiffer shocks than for the gas version, but all parts
books list the same shocks for both trucks. What do I do?
I would really appreciate any help. Please mail directly to me, since I
cannot keep up with this newsgroup.
Thanks in advance,
Steve Weil Data I/O
ucbvax!lbl-unix!uw-beaver!teltone!dataio!weil
dual!unisoft!teltone!dataio!weil