any idea on aftermarket shocks?

[wingnut]

Does anyone have any idea on aftermarket shocks? I would consider aftermarket shocks and springs vs coilovers if the price is reasonable. Or am I being a knucklehead thinking that is cheaper than coilovers?

 

[$ub$onic]

The rs struts and shocks are not " aftermarket" but they are sportier then the Ls-ltz ones

 

[Natesriv]

I've not found just shocks for the Sonic in the aftermarket...only dealer only.
The rears will never be coilovers.... (am I right on that guys?), even the aftermarket ones are just a separate spring and a shock. It's the design of the rear suspension...The springs are mounted in a different location than the shocks, and the shock itself is mounted upside down and connects to the body using a mounting piece...

 

[laborsmith]

You are correct, Natesriv.


Laborsmith

 

[TheLorax]

I think some good quality aftermarket struts/shocks are overdue for the sonic. I think there are probably a lot of people that have been on eibachs for a while that would like some updated shocks/struts by now.

 

[Natesriv]

UPDATE
I bought KYB shocks and put on B&G springs... KYB's were on eBay and the best thing I've put on the car!

 

[$ub$onic]

So you did two things at once, how do you know it was the shocks vs the springs?

 

[Natesriv]

not for performance, but for noise reduction.the original shocks made a lot of noise in cold weather these ones don't make any noise at all.I'm not sure lowering the car was the reduction in noise, but either way I'm happy with them

 

[$ub$onic]

Aaahhh, got it.

Mine never made a noise in the cold.

Now the sway bar on the other hand. Someone forgot to grease it before installing it.........

 

[mitdr774]

As far as I know the only KYB replacement is a OE spec part. It would be awesome if we could get something like the Tokico D-Spec struts I run on the Cavalier. Designed from the beginning for a 1.5" drop and have adjustable compression/rebound (both adjust at the same time, but its better than stock settings).

 

[houser]

Rear shocks

Just replaced the rear shocks ( with KYBs )on my 2012 4dr. Really firmed up the ride. much better wind handleing. I couldn't find a set of struts for a 2012
except OEMs. OEMs r to mushy. the original rears worked like empty tubes.

 

[Sonic_Boost]

Just replaced the rear shocks ( with KYBs )on my 2012 4dr. Really firmed up the ride. much better wind handleing. I couldn't find a set of struts for a 2012

except OEMs. OEMs r to mushy. the original rears worked like empty tubes.

was it difficult? i may be doing this in the near future


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[$ub$onic]

was it difficult? i may be doing this in the near future


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The hardest part is getting the shock off the upper bracket. Other then that it is straight forward

 

[Natesriv]

Get the universal shock removal tool.

 

[houser]

use vice grips

it took about 15mins per side with air tools. since I did not plan to save and reuse the old shocks I held the shafts with a vice grip while removing the nut.
the top and bottom brackets came off the body and axle with no special tools or trouble.

Mwood

 

[TheLorax]

Get the universal shock removal tool.

Not necessary for just the rears.

 

[Natesriv]

It actually helps remove the upper nut, the shaft of the shock has a shape this tool helps with, you can use vice grips, but that just is brute force, this tool makes the job super simple... IMHO

 

[TheLorax]

It actually helps remove the upper nut, the shaft of the shock has a shape this tool helps with, you can use vice grips, but that just is brute force, this tool makes the job super simple... IMHO

Ahh I see. Just didn't want someone to think they had to go out and buy a tool that wasn't 100% necessary for just the rears.

 

[xupthree60]

I was looking most the day for shocks and emailing people but to no avail. Kyb and koni replied to me and said they have no plans to make anything for our cars.

What's the difference in the rs struts vs the rest of our cars? Also does anyone know the spring rates on the lowering kit from Chevy that comes with the rs struts?

 

[Natesriv]

KYB Shock Absorber 343459 | eBay

KYB's on eBay. I bought them and they fit perfectly and make no noise like my old ones did.