(I did try to search, but the search function seems to quite limited)

What is the real effect of the small drop from the Comptech springs to the life and longevity of the stock shocks?

I know that a lot have remarked that any drop will shorten the life of the stock shocks, but I have not seen anyone report on this as reality. I also have not seen that anyone has to replace their stock shocks due to early failure (except on rare occasion).

I guess the real questions are:

Maybe a corollary question would be:

It seems that every failed shock that I've encountered failed due to 'leaking oil'. Would an aftermarket shock be less prone to this, and why?

Just trying to learn...

 

From what i heard you can get roughly 60k mi easily out of the Stock shocks. I've had my Eibachs on for about 40k mi and the shocks are fine. I'm also looking into buying Coilovers too.

 

Jens at Park Avenue told me that OEM shocks should easily last 100,000 plus miles without any suspension mods.
By lowering the car they’re partially compressed at all times and life will definitely be compromised to some extent.
Since it’s a relatively new car, no one really knows how much.

From what I remember I’ve read posts here where people with Comptech Springs said they failed as early as 10,000 miles and others that are over 50,000 and still on original shocks.

I think driving habits and local road conditions have a BIG part to do with their lifespan.
It could be from improper installs too.

I’m hoping to get at LEAST 40 to 50K out of mine before I need to replace them with something else.

Shawn S

 

Any thoughts on the failure rates of aftermarket shocks (Koni/Tokico, or even the coilovers)? Similar or different then OEMs?

Not considering issues of stiffening suspension or having adjustablity -- are there any advantages (decreased replacement over life of car) with aftermarket shocks?

 

I've had Tokico blue's before (non-adjustable) and they went about 40k miles on a heavy T-Bird. The stock struts went soft at 15k miles. Tokico's have a lifetime warranty though so you would at least get new struts. If you consider what it is doing (using oil and/or gas) to damp the spring motion, they will all wear out at some point. Higher quality will have better seals so the wear will be to the fluid or gas breaking down. Road condition and driving also have much to do with it. If your driving on smooth asphalt highways like in Florida, they would last a very long time. Potholed streets or choppy concrete freeways will wear them out faster. (More compressions and rebounds per mile).

 

so how can you tell when the stock shocks are in need to be replaced? do you feel it or what.

 

The corner of the car bounces all over the place -- no damper effect!

Also, uneven tire wear, rattling over bumps...

 

42.5k miles w/ stock shocks + ct springs, but now the ride is alot more harsh. may be cause I have sways too