How long can OEM shocks last?

[ac011]

Hello,

Anyone know how long does the OEM shocks last? My'91 have 97k miles and thinking about replace it with Bilstein or Koni. I also want to lower the car about 1 inch. What do you guys think? Need a good excuse for me to replace them.

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by ac011:
...thinking about replace it with Bilstein or Koni. I also want to lower the car about 1 inch. What do you guys think?...

I just ordered my Eibach's and will get them installed in Spring. They lower the car about 1.25" with minimal sacrifice in handling but maximum increase in sex-appeal. They are reasonably priced (~$300) and are a great starter progresive-spring set.

Of course, asking members for what type of springs you should get is like talking about politics: everybody's got an opinion, and their's is always right.

Regards.

 

[docjohn]

Have fun, replace them and you will not be disapointed.The car will feel tighter.The choice is yours. I like the adjustability (rebound only) of the konis.

 

[Procar Specials]

After ten years with one set of dampers..
you should change them.
Surely the springs ARE OK, but if you put the dampers on the tester (Eibach made this here in Germany) you have reduction of effectivity of ~20 %
I decided to get a real good set, the TEIN RE. The different is huge to OEM.

 

[nsxtasy]

I'm sure yours are ready to replace. I recently replaced mine at 51K (with a lot of track miles). The handling just didn't have that razor-sharp precision it did when it was new.

The Bilsteins provide a choice between a lowering perch, and a perch that retains the stock ride height.

 

[ac011]

I had decided to go with Koni and Eibach (from Dail Racing). Do you guys think I should replace the Swaybars too?

"nsxtasy", when you replace the shocks, did you replace the swaybars also?

Anyone know a good place to replace shocks in the Bay Area?

Thanks,

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by ac011:
"nsxtasy", when you replace the shocks, did you replace the swaybars also?

No, I did not.

Originally posted by ac011:
Anyone know a good place to replace shocks in the Bay Area?

Don's Hilltop Auto Service.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 29 January 2003).]

 

[RyRy210]

Just to let you know that I've installed eibachs before and eventhough it lowers the least of the bunch, it still causes negative rear camber that cannot be aligned to OEM specs. This is only a problem if tire longevity is of concern. I now have bilsteins set on the lower perch w/ stock springs and have no alignment issues whatsoever with this setup.

------------------
2001 NSX-T
- Bilstein Shocks
- '02 OEM Wheels

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by RyRy210:
Just to let you know that I've installed eibachs before and eventhough it lowers the least of the bunch, it still causes negative rear camber that cannot be aligned to OEM specs. This is only a problem if tire longevity is of concern. I now have bilsteins set on the lower perch w/ stock springs and have no alignment issues whatsoever with this setup.

RyRy210, since I've just ordered my Eibachs, just curious to know if you have a sense of:

(1) how close to OEM settings can you get on the rear negative camber, and

(2) how much do you believe this will affect tire longetivity assuming street-only driving (ie, will tires wear out 2-4K miles earlier? or some other benchmark)

Regards.

 

[NormRD]

I too am in the same boat, 92 100K miles. Do I need to change both the springs and the shocks?

How much do the Bilsteins, using the lowering perch, lower the car with stock sprngs?

------------------
92 Red/Blk

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by NormRD:
Do I need to change both the springs and the shocks?

I don't think springs wear over time the way shocks do.

 

[RyRy210]

Originally posted by NSXaholic:
RyRy210, since I've just ordered my Eibachs, just curious to know if you have a sense of:

(1) how close to OEM settings can you get on the rear negative camber, and

(2) how much do you believe this will affect tire longetivity assuming street-only driving (ie, will tires wear out 2-4K miles earlier? or some other benchmark)

Regards.

You know what, I totally don't remember. I think the rear was -2. The car looked really good though. It had a really agressive stance. I only kept that set-up for 3K miles and for me the wear wasn't that bad. What shocks are you getting for you car? If you get bilsteins you can have them machine in extra grooves below and above stock height in 10mm increments (It was $10 per groove I think). I had them machine in extra grooves so that I can fine tune my height with my eibachs.

 

[NormRD]

So in my case with 100K miles and 10 years old, replacing just the shocks would be enough?

How much do the Bilsteins lower the car?

------------------
92 Red/Blk

 

[BostonNSX]

what is the aprox $ in labor for shock change?

 

[Ojas]

Originally posted by NormRD:
So in my case with 100K miles and 10 years old, replacing just the shocks would be enough?

How much do the Bilsteins lower the car?

~0.75" when using the lower perch... http://www.ojaspatel.com/nsx/mods_shock_compare.html



------------------
ojaspatel.com/nsx

 

[NSXaholic]

Originally posted by RyRy210:
...What shocks are you getting for you car?

None. In talking to people in the know, they indicated that simply changing the springs without modifying the shocks is a good first step. I can always add on later, and it will give me a better appreciation for each modification.

Originally posted by RyRy210:
If you get bilsteins you can have them machine in extra grooves below and above stock height in 10mm increments (It was $10 per groove I think). I had them machine in extra grooves so that I can fine tune my height with my eibachs.

Will keep that in mind. Thanks.

Originally posted by ojas:
~0.75" when using the lower perch...

ojas, cool before/after pix -- very illustrative. Thanks for the link.

Regards.

[This message has been edited by NSXaholic (edited 30 January 2003).]

 

[RyRy210]

Originally posted by NormRD:
So in my case with 100K miles and 10 years old, replacing just the shocks would be enough?

How much do the Bilsteins lower the car?

Approx 4/5 - 7/8 of an inch



------------------
2001 NSX-T
- Bilstein Shocks
- '02 OEM Wheels

 

[Yawwn]

Hello All,
I did a search, but didn't have luck finding a newer thread regarding how long OEM shocks last. Now that it is 9-1/2 years since the last post, and the shocks are going on 20+ years, I wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts.
I am thinking about going the route of using the Tein S-Tech springs with the OEM shocks, as I remember reading somewhere in which someone did a number of combinations, and found this to be the best one. However, I am not sure it would be a good idea to put in my S-Tech with the 20 year old shocks.
If it is recommended to replace it, and the OEMs cost more than aftermarket (like Bilsteins), I may just consider going with coilovers.

Sorry for reviving such an old thread.

 

[kookoo4nsx]

Give Chris at SOS a call.

 

[sca037]

From your description, you sound like a perfect candidate for Bilsteins with your stock springs on the lower (- 7/8") perches.
We did this to our red NSX, and it's perfect.
Sharp handling that still retains a nice comfortable ride.

Brian

 

[pgilliam1]

Bottom line:

Shocks should be replaced after 10 years of normal driving.

Springs will last longer than the car and don't NEED to be changed.

If you're going to replace anything, replace the shocks.

 

[DeVinci13]

I replaced my stock shocks ('91 with 107k miles) with Bilsteins and kept the OEM springs this summer. I have no idea if they were still the original shocks or not, I have a folder full of receipts from the previous owners and there is nothing showing replacement so I am assuming original. It lowered the car nicely and "tightened" the handling and feel of the car. The feel is firm, but not harsh like the originals were, especially on sharp hits or bumps.

This is stock shocks/springs with OEM wheels.

This is with Bilsteins and OEM springs with 1995 wheels.

 

[Big_D]

Holy Thread Revival!

Just to add to this thread. The '91 I owned had original shocks when I purchased it in 2006 and when I sold it in 2010 it still had the original shocks. I wanted to go with Bilsteins on the lower perch but never got around to it. The car still handled great and there was no signs of them needing to be replaced.

Bottom line for me is to pay attention to the wear patterns on the tires. As long as there is no cupping or the shocks aren't leaking they are doing their job.

 

[Yawwn]

Hi All,
Thank you all for your input.
I already own the S-Tech springs, which have been sitting in my garage for years, so I would like to use them.
I'm debating using a new set of Honda OEM shocks, or purchasing Bilsteins, or just all the way and getting coilovers (which I have adjustable ones in my widebody, and like they way they look, although the ride is much harsher).
Based on everyone's input, I realize that either way, I should replace my current shocks.

Thanks.

 

[ysoslow]

Hi All,
Thank you all for your input.
I already own the S-Tech springs, which have been sitting in my garage for years, so I would like to use them.
I'm debating using a new set of Honda OEM shocks, or purchasing Bilsteins, or just all the way and getting coilovers (which I have adjustable ones in my widebody, and like they way they look, although the ride is much harsher).
Based on everyone's input, I realize that either way, I should replace my current shocks.

Thanks.

my stock shocks are still great. I was looking at the S-tech springs also. If you do install it with your stock shocks, can you please let me know how it ride?

If anyone who just installed springs on the OEM shocks, can you let me know what kind of springs it is, how low is it, and the ride. Thanks