Anyone know how much life to expect from NSX OEM shocks? This month's Road & Track technical correspondence column says 100K is about the maximum for any OEM shock. I have 86K on my OEM shocks now - they seem ok. No leaks, etc.
Shock absorber life?
- Thread starter salontools
- Start date
Struts don't have to leak to need replacement. It is also difficult to tell when they need replacement; if they fail the old traditional test (push down on the fender and count how many times it bounces), they're way past due.
In my case (a '91 with 52K miles including a lot of track usage, 8K actual track miles), I didn't exactly notice that the struts needed replacement; rather, I had a vague feeling that the car just didn't seem to respond as crisply as it had when it was newer. I replaced mine with Bilsteins. I suspect that the difference in handling now may be more due to the age of the stock struts than the difference between the Bilsteins and new stock ones.
With 86K miles, I suspect that yours might be ready too. Just a guess, of course.
In my case (a '91 with 52K miles including a lot of track usage, 8K actual track miles), I didn't exactly notice that the struts needed replacement; rather, I had a vague feeling that the car just didn't seem to respond as crisply as it had when it was newer. I replaced mine with Bilsteins. I suspect that the difference in handling now may be more due to the age of the stock struts than the difference between the Bilsteins and new stock ones.
With 86K miles, I suspect that yours might be ready too. Just a guess, of course.
NSXTASY-Could you C&C the Bilstien's to stock please.
[This message has been edited by mandrewz (edited 19 December 2002).]
[This message has been edited by mandrewz (edited 19 December 2002).]
I have hardly driven the car since having the Bilsteins installed. I'll be in a better position to do so come Spring, when I'll have it out on the track.
One difference though is that I've been told that the Bilsteins should last longer - essentially, the life of the car, and they come with a lifetime warranty.
Road & Track is being generous. I've replaced the struts on every one of the nine cars I've owned over the last fourteen years, so I feel that I speak from pretty solid experience here: if your car has over 60k miles, the front struts are significantly worn, and the rears aren't far behind.
Particularly on a car whose handling is a very important part of its' personality (i.e. NSX), it makes no sense to skimp on things like tires, brakes, and struts. In the case of the latter, I've had good luck with Bilstein, Tokico, and KYB. Frankly, for a car like the NSX, I would make room in the budget for the Bilsteins - their reputation is well founded.
Particularly on a car whose handling is a very important part of its' personality (i.e. NSX), it makes no sense to skimp on things like tires, brakes, and struts. In the case of the latter, I've had good luck with Bilstein, Tokico, and KYB. Frankly, for a car like the NSX, I would make room in the budget for the Bilsteins - their reputation is well founded.
They're not particularly expensive. I believe they're less than stock and no more than other quality aftermarket brands.
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