Rear Shock Suggestions

One of my 18 month old Gabriel Ultra's leaked out last night and A-Zone won't swap it so it looks like I need to buy new. I'm rather discouraged with the performance of these so I don't think I'll buy another. Any suggestions? I will be towing a bit, nothing heavy, under 1500 LBS. I don't want to bag it.

I love my severe service shocks.

I'm about to put the variable-rate springs and KYB Gas-A-Justs on my OCC. Softer than the Monroe SS's but a lot better than stock!

-Mike

I have 4 Bilstiens, Moog 0623 Variable rate springs and Airlift 1000 air springs with compressor. This car drives great now. I had a problem with the Airlift bags at first, one split at the seem when we were pulling our 22' trailer. Summitt Racing warenteed them, no questions. So I ordered the 0623s and put them and the new bags.

COL

COL wrote:

I have 4 Bilstiens, Moog 0623 Variable rate springs and Airlift 1000 air springs with compressor. This car drives great now. I had a problem with the Airlift bags at first, one split at the seem when we were pulling our 22' trailer. Summitt Racing warenteed them, no questions. So I ordered the 0623s and put them and the new bags.

COL

What kind of Bilstiens? I don't want to bag.

81X11 wrote:

I'm about to put the variable-rate springs and KYB Gas-A-Justs on my OCC. Softer than the Monroe SS's but a lot better than stock!

-Mike

I may get those as thats what I bought for the front. Just realized that.

Cadet57 wrote:

COL wrote:

I have 4 Bilstiens, Moog 0623 Variable rate springs and Airlift 1000 air springs with compressor. This car drives great now. I had a problem with the Airlift bags at first, one split at the seem when we were pulling our 22' trailer. Summitt Racing warenteed them, no questions. So I ordered the 0623s and put them and the new bags.

COL

What kind of Bilstiens? I don't want to bag.

81X11 wrote:

I'm about to put the variable-rate springs and KYB Gas-A-Justs on my OCC. Softer than the Monroe SS's but a lot better than stock!

-Mike

I may get those as thats what I bought for the front. Just realized that.

I bought the Bilstien HD shocks. That in itself made quite a bit of diference in the ride and especially cornering. I am setting my OLDS up for the longer haul to tow the Airstream when I retire. Last month I towed it 3200 miles. I will not use the trailer now til next year but The combination should work great.
The bags may be overkill with the Variable rate springs but I like them sofar.

COL

Why wouldn't the Zone take it back? They should. Lifetime warranty.

toomanytoyz wrote:

Why wouldn't the Zone take it back? They should. Lifetime warranty.

Gave me some bs about "damage". Idk what's going on there, they used to be really cool about returns and warranty claims now they're getting very stingy. Someone must have ripped them off. But now they're just loosing a customer who is in there at least twice a month. If not more.

Also, Correction, they're both leaking. What a bunch of junk these were. I'm not keen on swapping them for another set of Gabriels if they have the potential to blow out after another year.

I'm going to replace them with something else. Anyone ever install the Monroe 20802's? according to the fitment list on Rockauto, they are for all full size GM's including wagons and commercial chassis.

go see the manager.

jasonlachapelle wrote:

go see the manager.

That was the manager.

Perhaps try another Auto Zone in a neighboring town.

Olds Weighty Eight wrote:

Perhaps try another Auto Zone in a neighboring town.

Can't. Since they'd be a warranty replacement, they have to come from the store I got them.

I don't believe that's the case. Suppose you moved 2000 miles away. Would they expect you to return to the store you purchased all your lifetime warranty parts from? All warranty records are in a national database.

Matter of fact, I have an AutoZone receipt right here with a warranty statement on it:

Quote :

If a part fails during the warranty period shown on this receipt, bring the part to any AutoZone store and you will receive a replacement or refund.

Olds Weighty Eight wrote:

I don't believe that's the case. Suppose you moved 2000 miles away. Would they expect you to return to the store you purchased all your lifetime warranty parts from? All warranty records are in a national database.

Matter of fact, I have an AutoZone receipt right here with a warranty statement on it:

Quote :

If a part fails during the warranty period shown on this receipt, bring the part to any AutoZone store and you will receive a replacement or refund.

In any event. I'm not concerned about the warranty right this moment. I don't want those in my car again. What I AM concerned about is finding a good and affordable rear shock.

Too bad, as I really like those shocks. Yeah, they only last a couple years, but they are free replacements. Warranty is good at ANY AZ store.

Must be your charming personality.

toomanytoyz wrote:

Too bad, as I really like those shocks. Yeah, they only last a couple years, but they are free replacements. Warranty is good at ANY AZ store.

Must be your charming personality.

I'll have you know, I was very nice!

Also, do they seriously only last a couple years? We really don't make things to last anymore.

Only downside to having AZ replace them is I'll have to go under the car twice. I was *hoping* to avoid that now that winter is here. Next weekend I'll be on a lift to swap the rear but after that I wont have that luxury.

Take it to another AZ and get your money back and apply to another brand of shock.