Shocking the 1800E

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Shocking the 1800E[ALL/1998] posted by Chita on
Sunday, 27 July 1997, at 11:56 p.m.

I plan to go with a local dealer who handles KYBs. I understand they're fairly soft without being mushy. It's been so long since I drove the car, I don't remember if it needed anything more. What I recall is that the faster I drove, the better it handled. It will be wearing Michelin MX-1 tires.

Re: Shocking the 1800E[ALL/1998] posted by Brian T. on
Monday, 28 July 1997, at 6:43 p.m.

I have KYBs on my '65 122. The Gas-A-Justs, which I have on the front, are pretty stiff. The ride isn't harsh, though. I replaced my genuine Volvo shocks with them a few months ago and the ride isn't as harsh as I thought it would be. The car definitely corners a little better. I've had the softer GR-2s on the rear for a few years. The reason I didn't go with G-A-Js in the rear is that the ride is already harsh because of the urethane bushings I got from IPD. (Those bushings are so stiff they actually tore one of the brackets off the underside of the rear axle a month after installing them!) When they wear out, though, I might just replace them with G-A-Js. I think they're good value. They're not Bilsteins, but Bilsteins cost over $100 each. ---Brian T.

Re: Shocking the 1800E[ALL/1998] posted by Chita on
Wednesday, 30 July 1997, at 10:24 a.m.

Thanks for the tip on KYB shocks, Brian. I'd decided against Bilsteins early on - I had them on this car in the past. Didn't like the ride. My city is going through road repair fever - there are pockmarks and construction strips all over. I'd rather have a 50-50 shock than a 70-30, to soak up those little jittery lumps and bumps. In a city with smoother roads, Bilsteins are a fine shock. I've got them on one truck (rear), to keep the (very loaded) bed steady.

Besides, as I recall, the way to get a better ride in the 1800 is to go faster. Much simpler solution than stiff shocks.

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