shocks and springs

[Gavin N.]

Hi, I'm looking at replacing the shocks on my 71 BB. It currently has monroe sensatrac shocks and the back end goes squirrely any time you hit a bump in the road. Looking for something OEM or higher performance. Any recommendations? Also besides a sagging back-end how do you know when its time to replace the rear spring or have it re-sprung?

[Terry M.]

Re: shocks and springs

Hi, I'm looking at replacing the shocks on my 71 BB. It currently has monroe sensatrac shocks and the back end goes squirrely any time you hit a bump in the road. Looking for something OEM or higher performance. Any recommendations? Also besides a sagging back-end how do you know when its time to replace the rear spring or have it re-sprung?

Are you looking for shocks with the least deduction in judging, or is your desire based on performance?

Some say once the rear spring is flat or higher on the ends than in the middle == it is time for a new spring. How you source that, or fix that, will depend on the answer to my above question.

[Dan P.]

Re: shocks and springs

If the shocks are bad the car will continue to bounce up and down when you hit a bump. If the car gets squirrly when you hit a bump sound more like bump steer. This cause by bent suspension parts . First test is to unlock the steering wheel and bounce the car up and down in the front and watch the steering wheel.If it moves quit a bit you have a suspension problem.If the problem is in the back it will be hard to test. When you drive the car does it get squirrly when you hit the bump in the rear od front .

[Patrick H.]

Re: shocks and springs

If the shocks are bad the car will continue to bounce up and down when you hit a bump. If the car gets squirrly when you hit a bump sound more like bump steer. This cause by bent suspension parts . First test is to unlock the steering wheel and bounce the car up and down in the front and watch the steering wheel.If it moves quit a bit you have a suspension problem.If the problem is in the back it will be hard to test. When you drive the car does it get squirrly when you hit the bump in the rear od front .

I'd also wonder about rear alignment as well as trailing arm bushings.

[Paul J.]

Re: shocks and springs

If it's getting squirelly it's not the shocks. Either you have very worn bushings, rear spring, or bent suspension parts as Dan suggested.

Paul

[Edward J.]

Re: shocks and springs

Gavin, a easy check for the shocks is to just remove the lower nut and slide the shock off and see if the shocks are still gas charged, once you push them up the charge will extend them back.Monroe shocks also have a Lifetime warrenty, If you have the paper work or maybe know someone in the parts store that sells them.

Its always good to check all the rear suspension when having problems with the car staying straight. strut rod bushings and leaf spring bushings(both of these items also help keep the cars height in check) these are C3 problems especially with age.

As Terry M. says about the spring, Its is a good gage of its health.