Hi,

My I35 Sport (w/ 17" stock wheels) drives rather harshly, especially when it goes over low spots on the road. (My 2000 Max SE drove smoother)
I have 78k miles and I think it's time to replace my shocks. I am more concerned with ride comfort than cornering ability. I don't want to drop the car at all.
I've read a lot of the various threads regarding suspension and have a couple of questions. I plan on using the stock springs unless I hear a good argument not to.

Questions:
1. The stickies say that the Tokico Blues and KYB-GR2 are "stock replacement". does that mean they are the exact same quality as what came on the car? or is that talking about size of the strut?
2. Are the blues any better/worse than the KYB?
3. Should I just go ahead and get Illuminas?
4. Where do you all buy these parts?
5. How much is reasonable to pay a shop to install these?
6. Is there anything else I should change out at the same time?

Thanks in advance

 

What kind of shape are the tires in? If the tread is mostly worn out, your car will ride rougher no matter what.

Stock replacement shocks are going to be your best bet for comfort.

 

They are only a couple of months old. It started even before I got these tires actually.

 

Well i can tell you that I have 03 SE with tokico hp with stock SE springs and the ride is a lot better then the stock shocks. I know people say hps are stiffer, but at the same time they are not harsh like the stock shocks. Just put some hps in and you'll be really happy.....

 

stock shocks are made by tockico but i do not know the model name.
Also make sure you got no more than 32 psi in your tires if you want ride quality. Don't go by the 44psi sidewall max rating

 

ok I'll try 32.. I usually do 35 all around

 

Now around how much would someone be looking at buy the shocks and around how much to have a shop install??
curious on this myself.

 

1.5 hrs labour installed per corner plus shocks, mounts bearings, plus cost of alignment after.

 

quick question: is there any way i get get a set of springs for a 5.5 gen that improves handling, without lowering the car? If so, would tokico blues be good struts to use with them?

 

Any more info on this? Is the Sport model shocks /struts capable of handling sport springs without blowing? Want to put 1.6F/1.5R lowering springs on but not sure if need to do shocks/struts too??

 

Folks,

I have a stock, '03 I-35 with the standard suspension (not sport). I am now driving in a carpool with 3 other folks and we total about 800#s. The drive we have is 70 miles each way at about 70-80 mph (70 mph speed limit and the cops seem to give us 8-10 mph).

My problem is the highway is not always smooth, and we often bottom out. More in the back than the front. This is uncomfortable, but also not really safe since the suspension bounces up from hitting the nubs.

The car only has 45K on it, but I think it is time to replace the shocks. From some reading I have done it seems that Tokico Illuminas ( spellling?) are adjustable and may provide some help. I looked at a "how to" on shock /struts and the springs come off anyway. Should I think about stiffer springs also? I'm not looking for autocrossing type handling or a stiff ride, just more control. Do you agree with the shock choice?

Thanks,
Chuck