| Cosmobug |
I am pretty automotive savvy, but want to get an idea from folks around here who have done this how much work is involved in changing the rear shocks?
I just bought a 2003 Touring and on the way home (driving behind my wife...her car :) ) noticed the rear left wheel bouncing more than should be normal. Upon further inspection, it appears the shock is shot...it clunks too.
I was quoted about $145 to have them done a local brakes/suspension shop ($118 for shocks, $25 installation) so I figure it cannot be too difficult. I like to do my own work, but don't want to get in over my head.
Is it as simple as unbolting the old ones and bolting in the new ones, or do I have to take everything off to get to them and get an alignment after?
I'm used to working on older cars (Old Bugs) and the main challenge there is breaking the rust off old bolts! :D
Anyhow, thanks in advance! Great site, BTW!
Also, if anyone can recommend what kind to get, I'd be much appreciative. Thanks!
=Eric |
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| eurohazard |
Damn...if they are only charging $25 for installation.......then that is the way to go!
I haven't removed the struts from the MDX, but I am fairly certain it's very much like my old '97 CR-V. The CR-V had little access panels to get to the top of the strut bolts. The MDX doesn't have these, and will require removing the interior cargo panels (not fun I might add).
If you do tackle the job yourself, dont forget to use a grease pencil or scribe to mark the the stud alignment for the re-install. |
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| Cosmobug |
I kind of agree, but I found KYB GR2 shocks online at some acura parts place for about $26 each...Brakes Plus wants $118 and that is "discounted" $35. Dunno which brand...didn't ask...
The shocks they offer are "Lifetime guarantee" so all I have to pay is the install each time they wear out. I think if they are Monroe or something well known I will go ahead and have them do it.
Interestingly, front struts are not yet available...guess that is a good sign that people do not need them much yet. Probably a dealer-only item.
Thanks! Still love to hear from others!
-Eric |
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| SuperTech |
Rear shocks are easy. Support the lower control arms with a jack, then with a 17mm socket remove the fasteners. You'll need to muscle up and compress the shocks a little bit to take them out and install the new ones. You'll see. It's pretty straightfoward.
Suggest the factory shocks. They're calibrated to match the ride of the front struts. And don't forget...they're different for 01-02 and '03 and up. |
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| Cosmobug |
I called Pikes Peak Acura today to get a price...One hour labor for EACH SHOCK ( :eek: ) at $98 per hour ( :eek: :eek: ) and $100 PER SHOCK from parts ( :eek: ). $400 vs $150 vs ???
Any idea where I can get the "proper" shocks (calibrated to Acura specs) other than from the dealer? Seems I can only find KYB GR-2 (not bad...but are they right?!?) for around $50 each at various sites.
Any idea who makes Acura's shocks?!?
Thanks...sounds easy...I'm willing to do it...just gotta find the right parts at the right price.
:p
-Eric |
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| Cosmobug |
OK, I feel stupid...dunno how I missed them! At a glance I thought the shocks were inside the coils...that's why I asked...now I see them...duh! :rolleyes:
ANyway, any suggestions on factory or factory equivalent shocks would be most appreciated! Thanks y'all!
-Eric |
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| eurohazard |
quote:
OK, I feel stupid...dunno how I missed them! At a glance I thought the shocks were inside the coils...that's why I asked...now I see them...duh!
I probably helped with the confusion by calling them "struts". My bad!:rolleyes:
The rears are indeed "shocks". They do look easy to change, just like SuperTech stated.
Did you ask to see if the KYB shocks have some kind of 30-day try out period? |
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| SuperTech |
quote:
Originally posted by Cosmobug
I called Pikes Peak Acura today to get a price...One hour labor for EACH SHOCK ( :eek: ) at $98 per hour ( :eek: :eek: ) and $100 PER SHOCK from parts ( :eek: ). $400 vs $150 vs ???
Impressive..two hours labor?
By the book, I think it's .7 hours. I can do it in 5 minutes if I have an MDX already on the rack during a service or oil change.
Oh and most Honda/Acura suspension and steering components are made by Showa. Not a company that really sells automotive shocks in the aftermarket. |
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| G. COLTON |
quote:
Originally posted by Cosmobug
I called Pikes Peak Acura today to get a price...One hour labor for EACH SHOCK ( :eek: ) at $98 per hour ( :eek: :eek: ) and $100 PER SHOCK from parts ( :eek: ). $400 vs $150 vs ???
Any idea where I can get the "proper" shocks (calibrated to Acura specs) other than from the dealer? Seems I can only find KYB GR-2 (not bad...but are they right?!?) for around $50 each at various sites.
Any idea who makes Acura's shocks?!?
Thanks...sounds easy...I'm willing to do it...just gotta find the right parts at the right price.
:p
-Eric
"Calibrated" shocks???
G |
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| Ceenit |
I'd suggest Tim at HondaAcuraworld if you want to get OEM part at the cheapest price. There are lots of other online spots as well with great OEM prices, but Tim is Mr Reliable.
I would not be too hung up on OEM shocks however. While there are lots of set-up differences, most major brands are great. I've had great experiece with Bilstiens (more costly and for performance set-ups), and Monroe (good all round shocks with lifetime warranties). Also most shocks come preset with no adjustments (calibration) necessary, the only exception to this is when you get into very high performance type shocks and struts (not needed for the MDX unless you Track the vehicle :( or do major off roading :)
Question.....A shock failing on a 2003 model seems pretty unusual as most shock go for at leask 90-100k miles or more. Are you sure that this would not be covered under warranty? |
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| Cosmobug |
I don't know why it failed...it's just the left rear...the car does have 63K on it and is out of warranty. Maybe just a bum shock or it hit a hard bump...Colorado roads are not the best, especially in winter.
Carfax shows no accidents and such so I don't know why it failed.
Thanks for all of your input...I will let you know what I choose to do!
-Eric |
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| SuperTech |
quote:
Originally posted by Ceenit
Question.....A shock failing on a 2003 model seems pretty unusual as most shock go for at leask 90-100k miles or more. Are you sure that this would not be covered under warranty?
Most shocks, in general, do go that long. But this has been and still is a trouble area for specifically the MDX ever since the first year. And the '01 and some '02 models had problems with the front struts failing prematurly as well. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
Most shocks, in general, do go that long. But this has been and still is a trouble area for specifically the MDX ever since the first year. And the '01 and some '02 models had problems with the front struts failing prematurly as well.
Where do you get this info? I remember when the studs were ground down because of a noise problem with front struts on 01s and some earlier 02s.
But other than that, rarely read of shock problems, on here anyway.
Maybe I've been asleep the 3+ years I've been hanging around here....:31: |
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| SuperTech |
There have been a couple service bulletins relating to problems with the front struts...
A clunk/clank type noise when the front end hits a big dip or bump = install the silencer tubes on the coils
A creaking/ticking noise from what seems to be the dash area = grind the spot welds down where the strut towers meet the body
A hollow thumping noise over rough roads = internal failure of the strut unit or also caused by leaking strut unit
The rear shocks? I don't think there's a bulletin realating to those, but I'm willing to bet that almost every dealer has a pile of leaking shocks in some scrap metal barrell in the back somewhere. Once those start going, you'll hear what sounds like a "honk" sound usually over larger bumps. This is just as common of a failure as headlight housing condensation...which is still a problem even on '05s by the way. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
There have been a couple service bulletins relating to problems with the front struts...
A clunk/clank type noise when the front end hits a big dip or bump = install the silencer tubes on the coils
A creaking/ticking noise from what seems to be the dash area = grind the spot welds down where the strut towers meet the body
A hollow thumping noise over rough roads = internal failure of the strut unit or also caused by leaking strut unit
The rear shocks? I don't think there's a bulletin realating to those, but I'm willing to bet that almost every dealer has a pile of leaking shocks in some scrap metal barrell in the back somewhere. Once those start going, you'll hear what sounds like a "honk" sound usually over larger bumps. This is just as common of a failure as headlight housing condensation...which is still a problem even on '05s by the way.
First of all, the noise problem with the front struts was not solved by replacing defective struts. But by grinding down mounting studs on the top of the assembly.
There may have been some other problems like with the dust shields, etc.
But the info on diagnosing by noise is always helpful.
The headlight condensation problem showed up on earlier years also. Not quite as often as the front strut noise...fairly random. Yes, it became a different assembly with the incorporation of a projection lens, but the sealing issue would be the same.
I would expect there to be more bad shocks showing up on older models as they age. Shocks/struts wear out, like tires, etc.
Depending on your usage, and barring any factory defects, they should last a reasonable amount of time. I am not convinced they are a bigger problem on an MDX than any other vehicle. |
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| SuperTech |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
First of all, the noise problem with the front struts was not solved by replacing defective struts. But by grinding down mounting studs on the top of the assembly.
I am not convinced they are a bigger problem on an MDX than any other vehicle.
Replacement of the struts was only done for the "thumping" noise. Or, of course, if they're leaking. The bulletin that covered replacement for a thump noise only applied to '01s and a certain VIN range of '02. But you're right, the struts don't get replaced for the other types of noises.
And if rear shocks aren't a problem specifically on MDXs, then why do I replace at least 6 a month on MDXs and next to none on any of our other models? |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
Replacement of the struts was only done for the "thumping" noise. Or, of course, if they're leaking. The bulletin that covered replacement for a thump noise only applied to '01s and a certain VIN range of '02. But you're right, the struts don't get replaced for the other types of noises.
And if rear shocks aren't a problem specifically on MDXs, then why do I replace at least 6 a month on MDXs and next to none on any of our other models?
I have no idea, and don't get me worng, based on your numbers and a couple of other recent posts, it may well be a new problem area, and only now with more miles on older vehicles it is showing up.
Might be interesting to track against year of vehicle/mileage.
I remember complaining about the rear shocks on a brand new '72 Volvo. I said it seemed like the suspension would bottom out on sharp driveways, etc. They measured spring height, etc. said it was fine.
They went ahead and replaced the shocks anyway.
I found out later my driveway entrance was so steep the peak would just touch the bottom of the differential thanks to a small depression in the pavement just before the hump.
The springs were only about half compressed. When I entered the driveway at an angle, I never had the problem. Luckily I found out just before going back to complain again... :rolleyes: |
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| SuperTech |
I've seen even MDXs only a year old have a leaking rear shock. I had started to see this problem a few months after the MDX came out. And now that's there's more of them on the road...I see it all the time.
I might try to answer my own question and say that maybe the reason these fail so much is that since are just shocks, and not struts, they aren't as burly as a strut is. The stanchion rod/tube doesn't have as large a diameter as a strut would have, or to use a better example...a motorcycle fork. Therefore, it doesn't have as much surface to handle any kind of force that would want to push it any other way that straight up and down (like a motorcycle fork is meant to handle). Put enough side loads on a bushing and seal, and eventually it'll ovalize. A round rod won't be sealed by an oval seal...and there's the leak. I guess the MDX is considered a mid to large sized SUV, yet the rear shocks are about the same size as what you'd see on an old Integra. Look at it's competition's rear shocks. I recently saw shocks on a new Yukon. They must be twice as big as the MDX. But anways...maybe there's something about the MDX's suspension geometry, or just enough play in the rubber bushings, to tweak these shocks enough to cause them to prematurely to leak. Sound like a viable theory?
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
When I entered the driveway at an angle, I never had the problem.
Sounds like my car... |
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| Cosmobug |
Brakes Plus does not have them...the guy I talked to confused the 02 and down with the 03 and up. Any idea what the difference in these shocks actually is between 02 and 03???
I think I'll just order the OEM from Honda and Acura World and do them myself when they come in. Thanks!
-Eric |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by SuperTech
I recently saw shocks on a new Yukon. They must be twice as big as the MDX. But anways...maybe there's something about the MDX's suspension geometry, or just enough play in the rubber bushings, to tweak these shocks enough to cause them to prematurely to leak. Sound like a viable theory?
Maybe..I just didn't realize they were much of a problem unless they are using an inferior supplier these days.
I check the areas on occassion, and there is enough dirt buildup that a leak would be fairly easy to spot.
Again, it might be something worth tracking. I know worn shocks can sneak by most owners as it is a very gradual thing. Especially in a vehicle that has fairly stiff springing.
I have 42K now and would likely replace them around 50K.
There has been a problem with broken stablizer links in the rear. And those are pencil thin in construction. Problem seems to be random too. |
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| DaleB |
| About the only aftermarket shocks I can find on a search are KYB G2. |
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| Cosmobug |
| I ordered some OEM shocks and other mx parts from Tim at Hondacuraworld.com today...can't wait to get these things changed out! |
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| havajava |
| I just left my '03 with the dealer for leaking rear passenger side shocks at 22,305 miles. The tech was saying the '04 and up, shock angle was changed due to premature wear of '01 to '03. They are not allowed to modify the mounting points, so I will look at doing this on my own in the future.:rolleyes: |
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| Cosmobug |
| Interesting...thanks for the insight! |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by havajava
I just left my '03 with the dealer for leaking rear passenger side shocks at 22,305 miles. The tech was saying the '04 and up, shock angle was changed due to premature wear of '01 to '03. They are not allowed to modify the mounting points, so I will look at doing this on my own in the future.:rolleyes:
Interesting. I am still looking for the hordes of MDX owners complaining about leaking shocks on older models. |
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| SuperTech |
quote:
Originally posted by havajava
I just left my '03 with the dealer for leaking rear passenger side shocks at 22,305 miles. The tech was saying the '04 and up, shock angle was changed due to premature wear of '01 to '03. They are not allowed to modify the mounting points, so I will look at doing this on my own in the future.:rolleyes:
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
The part numbers for a rear shock for 2003 to 2005 are the same.
The part numbers for a rear knuckle for 2001 to 2005 are the same.
The upper shock mount on the unibody has been in the same place since 2001.
The clearance between the shock body and various parts like the link bars is the same since 2001.
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
I've seen '04s and even an '05 now with leaking shocks. Someone is blowing smoke up your butt, and it's not me. |
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| Cosmobug |
For when I go to install the shocks, what is the torque spec for the fasteners?
Thanks! |
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| SuperTech |
| Upper mount bolt and lower mount nut both at 47 ft. lbs. |
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| Cosmobug |
Thanks for the torque specs, SuperTech! :p I got my OEM shocks from Tim yesterday (a day early!) and will be fitting them to the X tomorrow. Thanks for all the info, folks!
-Eric |
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| Cosmobug |
Wow, it does not get much easier than that! I changed those things out and the clunk and jumpiness of the wheel is gone...yay!
Thanks again for the advice! :D |
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