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Car Forum / Nissan / Nissan Cars / April 2005

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Should new shocks raise height?

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Actor123 - 27 Mar 2005 01:51 GMT
I've got a 2001 Infiniti I30t that had worn out shocks.  Today I had
the local tire store chain install new shocks/struts (in the I30t, the
front are struts and the back are shocks).  I had all 4 replaced with
what I was told would be identical shocks/struts as original (could be
knock-offs, but at least conceivably they should have the same
characteristics).

Anyway, now the car is riding a couple inches higher than it was
before.  Is this normal when you have new shocks installed?  Even when
they are of the same type as were there before?

I've done some google searching on the topic and as best I can tell
this is normal IF the shocks are gas-filled and the old shocks had lost
their gas (basically saying that the car was actually riding lower than
it should have been because the shocks were worn out).

I'm happy with the better shock performance I am noticing, but I'm not
sure whether I like riding a couple inches higher than before.  I'll
live with it I guess if its normal though.  Any guidance?  We aren't
talking a new brand/type of shock, where I could see the height
changing, but the old shocks were pretty worn.  I just don't know if
the I30t's sports-tuned shocks were gas filled or not (car makers
provide very little technical info about the cars).
Steve T - 27 Mar 2005 02:37 GMT
> I've got a 2001 Infiniti I30t that had worn out shocks.  Today I had
> the local tire store chain install new shocks/struts (in the I30t, the
> front are struts and the back are shocks).  I had all 4 replaced with
> what I was told would be identical shocks/struts as original (could be
> knock-offs, but at least conceivably they should have the same
> characteristics).

Bad assumption..

> Anyway, now the car is riding a couple inches higher than it was
> before.  Is this normal when you have new shocks installed?

No.

> Even when
> they are of the same type as were there before?

Again you assume "all shocks are the same", they aren't.

> I've done some google searching on the topic and as best I can tell
> this is normal IF the shocks are gas-filled and the old shocks had lost
> their gas (basically saying that the car was actually riding lower than
> it should have been because the shocks were worn out).

But not even an inch of difference will be seen from this.

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Steve

http://www.atlantaracing.com

Greg - 27 Mar 2005 21:28 GMT
New shocks should not alter the height. Either wrong shocks, bad
installation, or the old setup had the car too low.
Greg.

>> I've got a 2001 Infiniti I30t that had worn out shocks.  Today I had
>> the local tire store chain install new shocks/struts (in the I30t, the
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> But not even an inch of difference will be seen from this.
JimV - 27 Mar 2005 03:43 GMT
No, they wont raise the height. If they did they are either the wrong
struts or they reinstalled the springs and/or the seats incorrectly.

> I've got a 2001 Infiniti I30t that had worn out shocks.  Today I had
> the local tire store chain install new shocks/struts (in the I30t, the
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> the I30t's sports-tuned shocks were gas filled or not (car makers
> provide very little technical info about the cars).
speedy - 27 Mar 2005 23:56 GMT
Sheesh, YES ride height can be altered when installing new struts.
Aftermarket items arent always exactly the same as the OEM's. The new
struts are a little longer than the old ones. Should you worry about it?
Not unless you get some strange tire wear.

-Pete

> I've got a 2001 Infiniti I30t that had worn out shocks.  Today I had
> the local tire store chain install new shocks/struts (in the I30t, the
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> the I30t's sports-tuned shocks were gas filled or not (car makers
> provide very little technical info about the cars).
Peter Hill - 31 Mar 2005 00:46 GMT
>I've got a 2001 Infiniti I30t that had worn out shocks.

What distance and conditions do you drive in?  Shocks used in UK on
surfaced roads usually last 80,000 miles 8 years of wet summers, road
salt winters and assorted potholes.  My fronts are still original at
130K miles and 13 years - fitted new gaiters at 80K which is when I
blew the oil out of a rear shock by a heavy landing.  I have had a
Nissan and Toyota make over 120K miles and 15 years old on all the
original shocks but I didn't give them flying lessons (didn't go fast
enough).

> Today I had
>the local tire store chain install new shocks/struts (in the I30t, the
>front are struts and the back are shocks).  I had all 4 replaced with
>what I was told would be identical shocks/struts as original (could be
>knock-offs, but at least conceivably they should have the same
>characteristics).

>Anyway, now the car is riding a couple inches higher than it was
>before.  Is this normal when you have new shocks installed?  Even when
>they are of the same type as were there before?

If it's changed your ride height by more than a 1/2" then your wheels
and tyres will be at the wrong camber angle as the suspension arms
will be working at the wrong angles - especially a Nissan multilink
rear suspension as it has quite short links.  This will also have
loaded any rubber bushes at suspension arm pivots past the normal
working range which could reduce their life as the rubber can shear
from the metal inner and outer.  It's usually the other way round.
People fit springs with 1-2" drop and then find the tyres scrubbed out
on the inside edge in a few 1000 miles.  If it's as bad as you say
expect to lose the outside edge of the tyres in a few months (assuming
you do 1000 miles/month).  Incorrect camber also means your tyre
contact patch is reduced in width and displaced to one edge (outside)
and that could kill you as it will affect braking and steering making
a skid much more likely especially on wet roads.

If the ride height is wrong you have been sold the wrong shocks or
they have been fitted very badly.  I suggest you read the specs in
your owners manual, find the roof height and check that.  With a full
tank of fuel, if it's more than 1/4" off it's wrong, more than 1" is
very wrong, take it back and get them to put it right.  Don't let them
sell you a camber correction kit or shims or mess with the vehicle
frame to make it safe and stop it wearing out tyres at it's current
height - it was right it's their parts that are wrong.  If you don't
get satisfaction sue the C**TS - preferably out of business.
Kin Fong - 12 Apr 2005 02:17 GMT
I just have my shocks replaced yesterday. It did the same thing. I would not
worry it, because it need time to break-in. It will settle down in couple
days.
> I've got a 2001 Infiniti I30t that had worn out shocks.  Today I had
> the local tire store chain install new shocks/struts (in the I30t, the
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> the I30t's sports-tuned shocks were gas filled or not (car makers
> provide very little technical info about the cars).
 
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