Hi Everyone,

I’m new at the forum. I’ll post my ride soon, but first I need some help. I need some opinions on a serious suspension issue. I think my front shock absorbers are gone…

I drive a Magna Advance TJ, 2000 model, and it’s lowered about 40mm. Red Pedders springs were already built in when I bought it 5 years ago, and I had to replace the shockers about 2 years ago, but I don’t know which ones my mechanic at the time used as replacement – probably some cheap basic ones.

The ride is seriously hard, and it feels as though there are no shock absorbers at all in the car. The ride is smooth on even surface, but as soon as I hit a bump, at any speed, it hits the car hard, it’s noisy and it feels like the car is going to break. It messes up my wheel alignment as well…

My question is, do you think it’s the shockers, and if yes, which ones should I use as replacement to have a comfortable ride and no bouncing? (Lowered) look and comfort is all I’m going for.

Could it be some other issue, such as bump stops or any other part? If I replace the shockers, do you think will they fail soon too?

I realise a physical inspection is needed, but I’m sick of people telling me it’s too low and I need to raise it (it’s not that low). There are plenty of cars around that are lower and they may not have the same problem.

I hope someone can give me ideas what to do.

Thanks

They possibly fitted standard/heavy duty shocks which aren't working well at the lowered height (outside their working limit). I am in much the same boat with my TE, rough as guts in the front... they "work" (bounce back) but don't do much to cushion the bumps.

I realise a physical inspection is needed, but I’m sick of people telling me it’s too low and I need to raise it (it’s not that low). There are plenty of cars around that are lower and they may not have the same problems
That's it, mine's lowered a similar height but still rides beautifully. You definitely don't need to raise it to get a reasonable ride.

It could easily be the shockies, as they have a huge impact on ride quality. Having said that, at two years old, I thought they'd still have a fair bit of life left in them.

My suggestion though would be to take it to a proper suspension specialist (not a general mechanic) to see what it could be.

Thanks for the tips. I will let a proper specialist inspect it first.
If it turns out i need ti replace the shockers, which brand/type/model would you recommend?
I need them to give me a comfortable ride, without bouncing and they need to last more than my last ones....

King Low springs are about a 45mm drop. Dobinsons are recommended too but are a bit stiffer. KYB and Boge are the way to go for shocks, although the Boges are a tad firmer.\

I have King Lows/KYBs and find them quite comfortable.

If you have normal shock absorbers chances are the shocks have seized.

That happened to mine when I was running Lovell Superlows (50mm) with stock shocks, ride became rock hard and bouncy since the superlows just destroyed the standard shocks.

Get a sports shock that's made for lowered springs like KYB or Boge, I have Boges and I'm very happy with the set up.

King Low springs are about a 45mm drop. Dobinsons are recommended too but are a bit stiffer. KYB and Boge are the way to go for shocks, although the Boges are a tad firmer.\

I have King Lows/KYBs and find them quite comfortable.

When I bought my TL it had KYB shocks, with admittedly quite low springs, but it rode like utter garbage. It was so stiff, far stiffer than my Evo.

When I bought my TL it had KYB shocks, with admittedly quite low springs, but it rode like utter garbage. It was so stiff, far stiffer than my Evo.
Must be with the springs. When I had 17" rims on my car, it rode very nicely. It's firm for sure, but it ain't stiff - I've been in plenty of bog standard cars that have rode worse.

Must be with the springs. When I had 17" rims on my car, it rode very nicely. It's firm for sure, but it ain't stiff - I've been in plenty of bog standard cars that have rode worse.

True. Scotty's TL VRX when he got super low springs for his with the stock shocks rode unbearably stiff.

Thanks again. KYB seems to be the preferred choice.
Where can I get these shockers and how much $$$ are we talking about - say, for 2 at the front?

KYB are not what you want, Boge are the choice. Grelise recently took out some fairly new KYB and put int he Boge, the improvement was massive.

KYB get the stiff ride through gassing, and in most cases, over gassing. The Boge use valving and also as they warm up the rate will change. Boge also come with a lifetime warranty so you will not be up for another set in a couple years

Dobinsons are stiffer when it comes to weight but are more variable than the Kings, same with the Boge, some say that they are stiffer however it is how they handle and rebound that give them the edge

Regardless of which choice, www.mitsfix.com and go to the store, they are all listed in there for you

Ok, you almost convinced me....although I'm not sure what you mean with 'stiff ride' and if I really want that. I need the shockers to help me ride over bumps an potholes comfortably.
Is this what I need then:
Boge LHF 32-M47-A and
Boge RHF 32-M46-A
for $320

They are the ones you want

To give you a direct comparison, I know is a wagon so different back end, when I had KYB and then Monroe, the back end was very harsh, the KYB did not last long at all and very soon constnatly bottoming out in the back. Using the same springs at the time, King Lows (has dobinsons now) all I did was put the Boge in the back, the kids stopped getting car sick, I stopped having my spine thrown through my neck every time I went over speed humps and the car handled better, especially over rough roads.

Hope this assists

So to ask whats lower

Dobson springs or King spring SL

So to ask whats lower

Dobson springs or King spring SL

Took out the kings, put in the Dobinsons, after first drive was 5mm lower with kings, after a few weeks is pretty much even, ride is much better with the dobinsons and car holds the road better

So the inspection at Pedders showed that the front shockers have completely failed and that the red pedders springs are cut, rusty, and need to be replaced as well. Even rear shocks should be replaced. Also, bump stops have disappeared.
Now I'm thinking of ordering 2 King springs (LOWs) and 2 front BOGE shocks.
How much is reasonable price for installation if I spend ~$500 for the parts?

were in qld are you?
i can do your shocks for you for half the price from suspension place
also remember a wheel alignment will be needed after shockes been replaced
make sure you will need bumpstops ask mal might have some s/hand ones or bite the bullet get new ones
not cheap i think from memory i paid 150 for the front
mal would be the best deal i had a look around and was a very good price
the springs i went to king springs direct wanted 280 for front set :facepalm
mal was a lot cheaper

I'm on the Gold Coast and work in Brisbane City. I was quoted $100 per shock absorber for labour and $45 for bump stops if I do it at Pedders. Somehow i don't trust them :e
They wanted $1288 to fix everything.
I think I can get 2 King springs under $200, but need to check first.
I don't get "mal" - what or who is mal? :)

I'm on the Gold Coast and work in Brisbane City. I was quoted $100 per shock absorber for labour and $45 for bump stops if I do it at Pedders. Somehow i don't trust them :e
They wanted $1288 to fix everything.
I think I can get 2 King springs under $200, but need to check first.
I don't get "mal" - what or who is mal? :)

What or who Mal is is me lol

I think I have posted in this thread a few times, I can get you Dobinsons or Kings very well priced as well as dampers, not at $100 each though for a damper after all you pay for what you get

Thanks for the clarification :)
Ok can you organise 2 Kings Lows and front Boge shocks ($160 each?) and if you can the bump stops as well, and I will find someone to install?
Could you send an exact quote pls?
($100 was for the installation only - per damper)

So they wanted 200 to fit the front shockies?
Ill send you a pm
shocks here mals aka madmagna misi-fix http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80879

Thanks for the clarification :)
Ok can you organise 2 Kings Lows and front Boge shocks ($160 each?) and if you can the bump stops as well, and I will find someone to install?
Could you send an exact quote pls?
($100 was for the installation only - per damper)

Hi,
Everything you need is in the MitsFix store, best to order through there

Cheers