A Discussion on Rear Shocks

[dickulus]

Hello Friends,


I am looking to stiffen up the dampening on the rear shocks - would prefer over dampened than under like stock.


Some useful information for rear shocks / specs on the rear I've found so far:

Compressed length:
14.88 in (377 mm) Monroe 5558
373mm KYB 384083

Extended Length
28.3 (606 mm) - Monroe 5558
595mm - KYB 384083

Useful KYB 'search by dimension' tool:

https://www.kyb.com.au/partfinder-by-dimensions/

Neat video showing rear OEM vs KYB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8e_BL95ULE

Unfortunately, the KYB are not sold in the USA, so ive been looking for alternates. Are the Monroe's any good? not had good results in the past with that company. Seems KYB 348070 or 348007 would work well too if i can find them stateside.

[foama]

I privately imported a set of rear shocks from KYB Asia. Caution: KYB have different products and product numbers according to sales region.
The KYB were only slightly stiffer than OEM, but cured the problem of the rear bobbing up and down.

The biggest improvement possible would be to replace the rear springs with the Eibach alternative, part number 1160017HA. They lower the rear slightly on an unloaded car, but keep the rear up when loading the trunk. Even with the OEM shocks, they cure the problem.

These cars are not meant to be performance cars like vroom vroom. Their real performance is the mpg and inherant efficiency. They are all about economy. If somebody wants a race car or a mental penis extension, they should look elsewhere.

[FreeYourSOUL]

I privately imported a set of rear shocks from KYB Asia.

Hi, where are you imported from?
I ordered from fitinpart.sg but after a month they canceled the order.

[foama]

You have a PM

[dickulus]

Thanks for the input - I'll look for those ebiach springs. Not looking for performance, just the current shocks are under dampened which I find uncomfortable.

I've added the sway bar, helps a lot in cornering comfort. Much more comfortable as the car 'leans' less in the corners. I'll bet stiffer springs would help too but I'd guess better dampening would be ideal.

[foama]

The KYB-Asia variety are slightly stiffer than the OEM, definitely better.
If you can't get them from KYB, you may want to look at Monroe.

There are a few threads about shocks in this forum...

[dickulus]

Are monroe shocks good?

I've not had very much luck with them for other cars. They were less dampening than my worn-out OEM, but that may have been a different model / type of shock. However, there does not seem to be any existing discussion on here about the Monroe 5558 for the Mirage.

[Fummins]

Are monroe shocks good?

I've not had very much luck with them for other cars. They were less dampening than my worn-out OEM, but that may have been a different model / type of shock. However, there does not seem to be any existing discussion on here about the Monroe 5558 for the Mirage.

I have installed the monroes on a few cars, 15's and 17's. I haven't done a back to back comparison other than the old oem shocks had the lower bushings pounded out of them and caused a loud clunk. So far the monroes are holding together a year or so later.

I too have had less than stellar experiences with monroes on the front of some ferd cube vans. I replaced leaking oem shocks only to have leaking monroe shocks less than a month later.