Hi All,

My first post on this excellent forum....

I recently purchased an 08/93 SE Gen II TR Magna (4cyl Auto) as my daughters first car and am in the process of tidying it up for her so that it's all relaible and safe. I'm actually very impresed with the car given its age and the small $$$'s I paid for it... never driven a Magna previously of any discription except for the odd rental car....

I picked up some OEM rear shocks (Monroe stamp and Mitsubishi part number) from a local Mitsi dealer who was clearing old stock quite cheaply and when I went to fit them noticed that unlike the "gas" shocks I am used to these would not recoil when compressed. When I spoke to the supplier he said that unlike after market shocks the OEM shocks are actually hydrualic and act as dampers given that the springs actually do all the work (this actually makes sense to me!) and that this operation is normal. He went on to say if you pump them half a dozen times they will firm up and once installed will be fine.

Does this make sense or are they simply dud shocks?

Your advice is appreciated.

they sound like dud shocks mate... but i really dont no

Most oem cars will come with the fluid shocks (hydraulic). The spring is what keeps the resistance of the car weight and the shock just takes the bumbs and vibrations. You should prime them a couple of times before putting them in (push in and out). This disperses the air pocket that has been caused by years of storage on its side. After primed it should take about 1-2 seconds to fully contract using all your body weight. Pulling out should have more resistance then pushing.

How much did you pay for them if you dont mind me asking?

Hi Bigs,

Picked up the following:-
Front struts complete and fitted with springs and all rubber components OEM NOS
Rear shocks with springs and all rubbers OEM NOS
$250.00 for the lot.... I thought this was a good price given the cost of replacement struts / shocks alone and the new springs and rubbers make all the difference.

Thanks for your confimation of what the parts guy told me ... as I said it made sense but I have always fitted aftermarket gas so have never come accross this before!

Your explanation regarding "priming" the shocks is exactly what the supplier told me and exactly what they did after I compressed them a few times!

Cheers

Please make sure that after you have primed them, that you leave them standing vertical. Fit to the vehicle in the vertical direction and avoid laying them over. Priming is a natural process for hydraulic shocks.

Hope this helps.

Thank you all....

You have been most helpfull....