Front and rear shocks
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Wichita
Welcome!
Replacing the shocks is pretty straightforward. What's not is which shocks to get. I have the Monroe Sensa-Tracs on all 4 corners. I'm thinking exchanging them under warranty (I'm using Monroe's recommendation to replace them at 50K) and going with the Reflex model. You can use their Shock Selector to pick your own
Replacing the shocks is pretty straightforward. What's not is which shocks to get. I have the Monroe Sensa-Tracs on all 4 corners. I'm thinking exchanging them under warranty (I'm using Monroe's recommendation to replace them at 50K) and going with the Reflex model. You can use their Shock Selector to pick your own
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
To replace rear shocks you need 15mm socket, retchet, and a hour of time. Use WD-40, Rust blaster ore something like this to do work easier.
Front shoks are more difficult do replace. People say to remove frot sheels, I do it with wheels on van.... well. you need a small wrench (as I remember 8mm) to hold upper shokck stick turning nut with 16mm ore 17mm wrench. Shock to A-arm is held with two 8mm bolts with clip nuts and you need 10 mm socket.
Front shoks are more difficult do replace. People say to remove frot sheels, I do it with wheels on van.... well. you need a small wrench (as I remember 8mm) to hold upper shokck stick turning nut with 16mm ore 17mm wrench. Shock to A-arm is held with two 8mm bolts with clip nuts and you need 10 mm socket.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Wichita
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
Shock Warehouse one of our site sponsors
can't beat their prices and service. to your door and no parts chasing.
get the KYB MonoMax high pressure gas. little more money up front but they last forever and the ride is so much better in the front heavy nose plow non curve machine
KYB MonoMax Truck Shock - Shockwarehouse.com
i've used the Monroe, Konis, Bilsteins, Tokico and the last ones are KYBs.
Monroes are a waste of time putting on, don't last and high low rebound damping.
The Tokicos are the best for damping and long life but NLA for the Aero. KYBs are tops also. got the Bilsteins on the wife's Hondas and my truck, stiffest shock of the bunch.
i hate putting on shocks every couple of years, dirty grunt job so I get ones that last.
the KYBs and a good set of poly bushings on the front sway bar and link ends will make your Aero handle better than off the assembly line
can't beat their prices and service. to your door and no parts chasing.
get the KYB MonoMax high pressure gas. little more money up front but they last forever and the ride is so much better in the front heavy nose plow non curve machine
KYB MonoMax Truck Shock - Shockwarehouse.com
i've used the Monroe, Konis, Bilsteins, Tokico and the last ones are KYBs.
Monroes are a waste of time putting on, don't last and high low rebound damping.
The Tokicos are the best for damping and long life but NLA for the Aero. KYBs are tops also. got the Bilsteins on the wife's Hondas and my truck, stiffest shock of the bunch.
i hate putting on shocks every couple of years, dirty grunt job so I get ones that last.
the KYBs and a good set of poly bushings on the front sway bar and link ends will make your Aero handle better than off the assembly line
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Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
I'm gonna second that. We did Monroe Sensa-tracs on my mom's van, and they were better than blown shocks, but they wore out very quickly. Even when they weren't worn, its like they aren't really meant for all that weight. I use KYB Gas-A-Just on my van, but I use it for work. The MonoMax would give a smoother ride. I found that for Body sway, the right tire makes a difference too. Most passenger tires that are recommended are too soft for the weight, and so you get a lot of bounce from the tire itself, and the tires wear out quickly, usually about 20K - 30K miles. I run a light truck tire with a rated pressure of 50 PSI. On my van with the stiff shocks, it give a firm but not harsh ride, unless you are driving on dirt roads or potholes. On my mom's van with the softer shocks, it rides very nicely, and dramatically improved the handling and cornering stability, or at least the feel of it. With the old tires, it rides kind of like a boat, with the new tires, it rides more decisively, more truck-like.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
Any opinoins on the Monroe SENSA-TRAC® LOAD ADJUSTING SHOCK ABSORBERS?
I am seriously thinking about getting a set for the rear, and the regular sensa-tracs for the front. (I get them at cost so it is hard to pass up on the price)
Opinions?
I am seriously thinking about getting a set for the rear, and the regular sensa-tracs for the front. (I get them at cost so it is hard to pass up on the price)
Opinions?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
Rear shock removal can be problematic if the upper bolt(s) are rusted and the inner nut spins freely. Very difficult to find a thin enough wrench to hold that inner nut.
As for shocks, I just replaced all four with KYB and find the damping rate more progressive and quicker than the Monroe Sensa-a-Tracs I had previously.
As for shocks, I just replaced all four with KYB and find the damping rate more progressive and quicker than the Monroe Sensa-a-Tracs I had previously.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
I just replaced my front shocks, well overdue (310,000 kms). Van handles like new again! I might spoil the old girl & do the rears next month!
Vans been so good this year so far I'm even thinking of breaking out the wash'n'wax pail.
Aeroman
Vans been so good this year so far I'm even thinking of breaking out the wash'n'wax pail.
Aeroman