alanurm@tonto.DEC (And a road of my own....) (05/07/84)
(I could have danced all night) Air shocks -pro or con? I've got a 1980 Celica (Sedan, not liftback), and am putiing on a pair of air shocks. Any advice, hints, or extra things needed for this? Also, have just spotted a 1970 camaro, 3-speed, with 350 V-8. Body is rough but intact. Interior is poor, tires are junk. Is is worth the $800 being asked? Mail replies on camaro please. On air shocks it may be of interest to net. Len Alanurm "New Hampshire" ....decvax!decwrl!rhea!tonto!alanurm
emma@uw-june.UUCP (05/08/84)
Pickup, Van & 4 Wheel Drive Magazine had an article on air suspensions in April, covering air shocks, air springs, and active air suspensions. There were also air shock installation and comparison articles you may find useful. The only comment I would make, after two cars with air shocks, is that they are a marvelous invention, but you should invest the extra $80 to put in a pump and on-board pressure control. It's a great convenience. I've always wondered about people driving down the road with the back bumper scraping-- how do they stand it? Can't they tell the difference? Isn't it frightening if they can't? -Joe P.
rls@ihuxf.UUCP (Richard Schieve) (05/09/84)
Air shocks are the answer to many automotive suspension problems. I have used them to boost sagging rear springs and to compensate for the tongue weight of added trailers. I know many people will say good and bad things about them so I delete my personal opinions and only talk about installation. First try to find a brand that has O-Ring type seals for the lines. The last set I bought from Sears used double O-Ring seals. The lines could be cut to any length, so the excess line was not a problem and They did not leak in freezing weather. The seals provided on most air shocks have the annoying habit of slowly leaking in cold weather, no matter how much silcone grease is used on the seals. Second, route the lines carefully. Tie down excess line to keep it from hitting the hot exhaust or getting caught when backing up. Allow enough of play in the lines at the shock to handle the travel of the rear axle. If the lines get pulled taught when the car is let off the jacks after installation, they are too short!! Rick Schieve
44735600@sdccsu3.UUCP (Brian Donnelly) (05/09/84)
In my opinion, air shocks should only be considered if you are going to be loading up the car more than it was originally designed for. If you want to tilt up the rear for looks, air shocks will work, but you will probably have longer stopping distances because the front brakes will have more load on them than usual, and the back brakes will have less. This can translate into some unpleasant surprises (like massive oversteer) if you slam on the brakes too hard with this set up. My vote: for carrying a bigger load, yes. For neat looks, no. Brian Donnelly
rls@ihuxf.UUCP (Richard Schieve) (05/09/84)
I have one more thing to add to my previous article on air shocks. Don't expect the car to ride exactly the same. The greater the pressure in the shocks, the rougher the ride. This may sound obvious but I know several people that were very disapointed when the ride got rougher. Rick Schieve
david@tekig.UUCP (05/09/84)
Maybe I'm missing something with air shocks..... How does the shock act like a constant rate spring if they themselves are supporting weight? Don't you lose the "shock absorbing action"? I had a pair on an early Mustang, they did raise the rear a tad, and they also made it ride like a rock. Could someone enlighten this ignorant soul. tektronix!tekig!david
rusty@sdccsu3.UUCP (Rusty Wright) (05/14/84)
the remark that air shocks should be used when one wants to carry more weight than the auto was rated for is incorrect. contrary to popular belief the rating of the shocks does not determine how much an auto (car, truck, etc.) can carry, the rating of the axle(s) does. for example, if you have a half-ton pickup truck, don't think that you can carry more than it is rated for by installing some air shocks (or any heavy-duty ones).