There are a few things to consider before buying new shock absorbers for your vehicle. Some top considerations include your driving style, how you use your vehicle, and your budget.
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Here's an overview:
With so many shock absorber options available for popular cars and trucks, it can feel overwhelming to make the right decision. This guide simplifies the shock-buying process by helping you match your shocks to your vehicle’s usage and your driving style—whether you’re looking for off-road ruggedness, high-performance cornering, or comfort for everyday commuting.
Shocks and struts are crucial parts of your vehicle's suspension, providing comfort, control, and safety. While they may be used interchangeably, they are not the same:
Choosing the right option depends on your vehicle’s specific suspension system and your driving needs. Learn more about the differences between shocks and struts.
Shocks and struts are key components in your vehicle's suspension system, playing a pivotal role in ride comfort, handling, and safety. They work by absorbing the bumps and vibrations from the road, providing passengers with a smoother ride. More importantly, they keep your tires in constant contact with the road surface, which creates control and braking efficiency.
While the terms shocks and struts are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Shocks, or shock absorbers, are standalone components that don't support any weight. They're primarily designed to control the movement of the springs and suspension.
Struts, on the other hand, are a structural part of the suspension system, supporting the weight of the vehicle and providing a mounting place for the coil spring. They perform two jobs: damping, like a shock, and providing structural support to the vehicle's suspension.
Off-Road and Towing - For trucks and SUVs that tackle rough terrains or tow heavy loads, you'll need heavy-duty shocks that offer durability, heat resistance, and control under load.
Daily Driving and Commuting - For vehicles that are primarily used on well-paved roads, comfort is key. These shocks offer smooth rides for daily commutes and can even enhance handling slightly over stock shocks, without sacrificing comfort.
Choosing the perfect shocks for your vehicle is not just about the make and model. It's also about matching the shocks with your lifestyle and driving habits. If you're an off-road enthusiast who regularly navigates rough terrains, you'll need heavy-duty shocks that can withstand the rigors of such environments.
On the other hand, if you use your vehicle mainly for commuting on well-maintained roads, comfort-oriented shocks would be more suitable. These are designed to provide a smooth ride, absorbing bumps and road imperfections with ease.
For performance enthusiasts who engage in high-speed driving or racing, high-performance shocks are the go-to choice. These shocks offer superior handling and responsiveness, allowing for precise control at high speeds.
In essence, the perfect shocks for your vehicle should align with your driving needs and lifestyle. By considering your driving habits and the conditions you frequently encounter, you can narrow down your options and find the perfect shocks.
High performance shocks and struts (in this guide we'll use the terms interchangeably, click here to learn more about the difference between shocks and struts) are designed to give your car or truck the best handling possible. For drivers who push their vehicles to the limits, an extra inch or two of grip can mean everything, so they are willing to sacrifice a bit of road comfort for a lot of safety. These shocks and struts will keep your car glued to the corners and help your truck stay on the trail. For towing applications, these shocks will keep your truck and trailer driving straight and true, no matter how windy or bumpy the road gets.
Bilstein Sport (B8) High pressure monotube shocks and struts available for trucks and sports cars. Bilstein B8 Sport shocks will have a stiffer valving than the B6 Heavy Duty, giving you the most precise handling possible. The Bilstein Sport is specially designed to work with lowering springs up to 2" lower than stock. Only available for select sports cars and sporty sedans.
Recommended in our shock buying guide for: High Performance Driving, Lowered Cars.
KYB AGX Adjustable shocks and struts give you the option to dial in your sports car's handling performance. The KYB AGX's adjustable damping is the best way to tune your car's damping short of a full coilover kit. Ride around all week with a soft, cushioned ride and then crank up the performance for the weekend or tune your ride at the autocross for perfect performance. Designed to work with lowering springs up to 2" lower than stock. Only available for select sports cars.
Recommended in our guide to shock buying for: High Performance Driving, Lowered Cars.
Bilstein Remote Reservoir Offroad Shocks for lifted trucks and SUVs. The Bilstein Series uses high pressure monotube technology and a remote oil reservoir to prevent overheating even in the toughest situations. Remote Reservoir Bilstein shocks are available for stock height and lifted trucks. Built to withstand the intense heat and abuse of Baja Mexico, the Bilstein will keep your truck handling like a go-kart through the toughest dirt, mud, silt, and rocks in the world.
Recommended in our shock buying guide for: High Performance Offroad Driving, Lifted Trucks, Offroad Towing.
Fox Performance Series shocks are designed for extreme offroad use and abuse. Our Fox Performance monotube shocks use an internal floating piston to deliver reliable offroad performance in a bolt-in package.
Recommended in our shock buying guide for: Lifted Trucks, High Performance Offroad Driving (remote reservoir models), Towing.
Performance daily driver shocks for drivers who use their car or truck as their primary means of transportation but also sometimes push their vehicle harder than the average person. Most drivers shopping for performance shocks fall into this category. If you use your truck for your daily commute but also tow a trailer a few times a week or need to get down unpaved trails, or if you like to open your car up when the road allows it, these are the shocks for you.
Bilstein Heavy Duty (B6) shocks and struts are engineered for the perfect blend of comfort and performance. Bilstein's B6 Heavy Duty shocks and struts use a high-pressure monotube design to prevent overheating along with valving designed for performance while towing or driving on rough roads without being too stiff for daily use.
Recommended in our guide to buying shocks for: Towing, Rough Roads, Light Offroading, Aggressive Performance Driving, Work Trucks, Plowing, Diesel Trucks.
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KYB Monomax truck shocks are KYB's answer to the need for a heavy-duty monotube shock. Built only for trucks and the tough use they see towing, offroad, and driving everywhere with heavy loads.
Recommended in our shock buying guide for: Towing, Rough Roads, Light Offroading, Work Trucks, Plowing, Diesel Trucks.
KYB Gas-a-just is KYB's monotube shock for trucks, SUVs, and performance cars.
Recommended in our guide to buying shocks for: Aggressive Street Driving, Rough Roads, Muscle Cars, Commuting, Worn Suspensions.
Comfortable daily driver shocks for vehicles used primarily on normal roads for every day driving and only occasionally used for towing or aggressive driving. Drivers not looking for performance upgrades should use these shocks for the best ride possible, slightly better handling and a longer shock life than original equipment units.
KYB Excel-G shocks and struts are available for most passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks.
Recommended in our shock buying guide for: Daily Driven Cars, Commuting, Worn Suspensions.
Bilstein B4 Touring Class shocks offer the legendary reliability of Bilstein shocks without the rougher ride of a high-performance monotube.
Recommended in our shock buying guide for: Daily Driven Cars, Commuting.
Working together to absorb impacts and help keep the tires in contact with the road, coil springs and shocks/struts are key parts of a vehicle’s ride control system. Made of wound metal, coil springs are designed support the vehicle’s weight. They compress and absorb road impacts, allowing the frame and body of the vehicle to experience minimal disturbances when riding over bumps such as railroad tracks or dips such as potholes. Coil springs also help prevent the vehicle from bottoming out when loaded or during adverse driving conditions by working to maintain optimal ride height as determined by the manufacturer.
Replacing the coil springs on a vehicle can have a dramatic impact on its ride and handling. From matching OE performance to achieving improvements in performance, using the right coil spring is vital.
Coil springs have a direct effect on the ride profile of a vehicle. Several factors contribute to how a coil spring will perform on a vehicle:
A poorly engineered constant rate spring with too many coils can cause coil bind, a condition where the coils stack solid at or before full suspension compression. This can lead to suspension component damage.
A spring made from higher grade steel with quality coating like urethane or epoxy helps increase the durability of the spring. Bare steel or coils that are painted may not last as long as coils with a quality coating that helps keep the steel from rusting.
The spring rate increases with a higher wire diameter. However, higher grade steel in combination with a smaller wire diameter can handle heavier loads.
There are two main types of coil springs – constant rate coil springs and variable rate coil springs.
Also known as linear rate springs, these springs feature evenly spaced coils for a uniform rate of compression. The spring compresses an amount proportional to the load being placed on the spring. Popular for heavy-duty and performance applications, when the correct constant rate spring is chosen it helps improve ride quality by reducing pitch and roll.
Also known as progressive rate springs, these springs have coils that aren’t evenly spaced out. The spring rate changes dynamically as the spring is compressed, allowing it to have different spring rates. The coils that are spread apart provide a comfortable ride under normal conditions and when the vehicle is loaded, those coils become compressed. The tighter wound coils help prevent the vehicle from sagging excessively. Ideal for multipurpose vehicles used as daily drivers as well as hardworking activities like towing or hauling loads, variable rate coil springs can help reduce harshness and pitch and roll, and help avoid bottoming out under various levels of load conditions.
Also known as deflection rate, spring rate is a measure of a spring’s strength and is determined by the wire diameter, number of coils and quality of the steel. It is the amount of weight needed to compress the coil spring one inch. The OE spring rate can differ from one vehicle to another based on vehicle model, engine size, drivetrain (4W vs front wheel), transmission type (automatic vs manual), and other vehicle attributes that affect vehicle weight and ride profiles. In fact, within a single model, there can be different packages and trim levels that can affect spring rate.
It's important to match OE spec by application when it comes to spring designs to help restore OE ride height specifications assigned to each vehicle. Even a 15% reduction in ride height can cause the vehicle to noticeably sag and may affect wheel alignment which could result in accelerated tire wear.
Here are some additional things to know:
A spring manufacturer can use its own formula to achieve the spring rate; they can alter the steel strength, wire diameter or number of coils to do so. Simply adding more coils to compensate for lower strength steel may not match the OE spring rate. The additional coils can stack up, creating touchpoints of the coils at or before full suspension compression and causing coil bind, potentially resulting in immediate suspension component damage.
Spring rates can differ from the left side of the vehicle to the right. The design of the vehicle is a major factor in how the manufacturer determines the proper spring rate for each side. For example, many vehicles have the engine offset to the passenger side to make room for components like the accelerator and brake pedal. This can affect the spring rate of the right and left side of the vehicle. It is important to take this into consideration when it comes to individual coil springs or as part of a strut assembly - not matching the OE spring rate could compromise the vehicle’s performance.
Diagnosing if the coil springs are worn is the first step; check out this ServiceGram for guidance.
When it comes to selecting the right coil spring for your vehicle, Monroe has taken the guesswork out of getting the right part. Whether it’s a Quick-Strut® strut assembly, a Magnum® strut assembly or a conversion kit, Monroe’s application-specific parts puts the right coil spring for your vehicle in an all-in-one solution that is easy to install.
Designed specifically for hardworking half-ton trucks and vans that haul and tow, you get everything you need for a strut replacement in a single, fully assembled unit. Features a variable rate coil spring that delivers a comfortable ride and helps reduce sag when under load.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of high tension springs. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.